What if I am Pregnant

What to do

If your menstrual period is more than two weeks late, you should have a pregnancy test. The most accurate pregnancy tests are provided by your health care provider and require a urine or blood sample. home pregnancy tests bought at the drug store are not always accurate.

Early prenatal care is very important for a healthy mom and baby. If you do not know where to go, ask your parents or an adult such as your guidance counselor to help you. You may call 252-8551 to get information about prenatal care and financial assistance.

You may begin taking good care of your baby right away by doing these things:

• Make an appointment at a health care provider to begin prenatal care.

• Begin taking one prenatal vitamin containing folic acid each day. Drugs stores and supermarkets carry these.

• Choose healthy foods each meal. Your baby will be eating what you eat. 

• You should have some of the following foods each day - proteins, fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals and milk products.

• Contact your local Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Department to see if you qualify for benefits. WIC is a supplementary food program that provides coupons to pregnant women for important foods such as cheese, eggs, juice, milk and cereal. Call 252-8208 in Naples and 252-7310 in Immokalee for information.

• Always keep your appointments. You may not always be aware of changes in your body or your baby's.

• Write down questions when you think of them so you can ask your health care provider. Always remember that all of your questions are important.

• Tell your health care provider anything you think is important for you and your baby's health. Information you share with your provider is confidential so do not hesitate to share anything that might affect your health or your baby's health.

• Do not use alcohol, tobacco or drugs. If you use any medicines, let your health care provider know.

• Know the danger signs of pregnancy. If you think you have one or more, report to your health care provider immediately. The danger signs of pregnancy are:

  • Chills and fever

  • Bad headache or feeling dizzy

  • Dim or blurred vision, flashing bright light or spots

  • A lot of swelling of face and body

  • Heavy pain under the ribs which does not go away

  • Sharp pains in the stomach or side which do not go away

  • Bright red vaginal bleeding

  • Leaking from bag of water - slow leak or sudden gush

  • Pain when passing urine

  • Any signs of preterm labor

• Know the signs of preterm labor. Preterm labor is labor that starts before the 37th week of pregnancy. Babies born too early may have many health and learning problems. The signs of preterm labor are:

  • Contractions of the uterus - that are less than 10 minutes apart (6 or more contractions in an hour), that may be painless or may feel like the baby is "balling up."

  • Cramps like those in your period - that come and go, or that don't go away.

  • Cramps in the abdomen or stomach - with or without diarrhea.

  • Increase or change in vaginal discharge - watery or with mucus or blood.

  • Low, dull backache - that comes and goes, or that doesn't go away.

  • Pressure - that feels like the baby is pushing down; comes and goes.

   

• Ask about attending prenatal and infant care classes.

• Follow the advice of the people on your health care team: your doctor, nurse-practitioner, social worker, Healthy Start worker and other health care providers who serve you.