Pregnancy
About the Pregnancy section
The Pregnancy section of The Body Optimist supports moms-to-be from trying to conceive to giving birth: prenatal care, nutrition, common discomforts, mental health and your rights during childbirth. It's written for every pregnant woman, whatever her body size, with clear information and no pressure to be perfect.
What you'll find in the Pregnancy section
- Prenatal care: prenatal visits, ultrasounds, screening tests and the professionals who can care for you, from midwives to OB-GYNs.
- Nutrition: foods to avoid while pregnant, nutrients to keep an eye on, such as folic acid, and common myths, with everyday eating tips in the Nutrition section.
- Common discomforts: fatigue, nausea, constipation and heavy legs, with gentle remedies to check with your provider.
- Mental health: emotions, anxiety, denial of pregnancy and taking care of your mental well-being over these nine months.
- Childbirth and your rights: consent, respectful care and the choices you can make on the day you give birth.
What does prenatal care involve?
Prenatal care can be provided by a midwife, an OB-GYN or a family doctor, depending on where you live and on your health needs. It usually includes regular checkups, ultrasounds and screening tests, on a schedule that varies from country to country and with your situation. Use these visits to talk about your plans, your needs and your worries, not just the medical checks. Don't wait for your next appointment to report anything unusual: bleeding, fever, pain, early contractions or fewer baby movements are all reasons to get medical care quickly.
Pregnant and plus-size: how do you get good care?
Being pregnant in a fat or curvy body deserves the same attention and respect as any other pregnancy. Your weight may lead your care team to suggest certain tests, such as screening for gestational diabetes, but it never justifies hurtful comments or being weighed without explanation. You can ask why a test is being offered, point out equipment that doesn't fit, such as a blood pressure cuff that's too small, and switch providers if the trust isn't there. Weight gain during pregnancy varies from one woman to another: talk it over with your provider rather than comparing yourself to others.
Our approach
No idealized nine months here: we also talk about fatigue, doubts, changing bodies and care that sometimes feels disrespectful. Every pregnancy is different, and every mom-to-be has the right to be informed and to make her own choices. The articles in this section provide general information and do not replace advice from a healthcare professional, whether a midwife or a doctor.
Articles to get you started
- Disrespectful care in maternity wards: putting words to a side of childbirth that is still rarely discussed.
- Our complete guide to flying while pregnant: what to check before you book and how to travel comfortably.
- Life as a new mom: sleep deprivation, mental fatigue and loneliness, the side of the postpartum period that's rarely shown.
Frequently asked questions
What foods should you avoid during pregnancy?
Common advice is to avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, unpasteurized (raw-milk) cheeses, some deli meats and raw shellfish, because of the risk of toxoplasmosis, listeriosis or salmonella. Health authorities in many countries recommend no alcohol at all throughout pregnancy. Your midwife or doctor will tailor this advice to your situation.
Can you exercise while pregnant?
In most cases, yes: unless your provider has advised against it, suitable physical activity is encouraged. Walking, swimming, prenatal yoga and gentle workouts are usually well tolerated. Avoid contact sports and activities with a risk of falling, and check your routine with the professional who is following your pregnancy.
Who can you talk to when your mood takes a dip, before or after birth?
Talk to your midwife or doctor at any prenatal or postpartum visit. Persistent sadness, overwhelming anxiety or the feeling that you can't cope are not signs of weakness: perinatal depression is treatable, and psychological support can be offered to you.
Want to go further? Head to the Health section, take care of yourself day to day with Well-being, and find support for life after birth in the Parenting section.