New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health
New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health
New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health
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• How much does it really cost to<br />
have a baby<br />
• Do we need help with money or<br />
maybe services in the community<br />
• Can I take time off from work when<br />
the baby is born<br />
• What things do we need for the baby<br />
• How do we find a doctor to take care<br />
of the baby<br />
• How do we find out about daycare in<br />
our area<br />
• Is it O.K. to have sex during pregnancy<br />
These are important questions to think<br />
about. Below are some ideas on getting<br />
answers to these questions.<br />
• You can talk with our staff at <strong>Mission</strong><br />
about the hospital cost of having a baby.<br />
Call 213-1508. They can help you make<br />
payments or answer any questions.<br />
• Your doctor’s/midwife’s office staff<br />
can discuss payment for the doctor/<br />
midwife fee. This charge includes all<br />
prenatal care and the fee for delivering<br />
your baby.<br />
• Talk with your employer about<br />
scheduling time off. (See the First<br />
Trimester <strong>Pregnancy</strong> Guide for<br />
information about the Family<br />
Medical Leave Act (FMLA).)<br />
• A list of things you will need for your<br />
baby is in the Third Trimester<br />
<strong>Pregnancy</strong> Guide. A great way to get<br />
these things for less money is to go to<br />
thrift shops and yard sales.<br />
• If you need help getting a car seat call<br />
Safe Kids at 213-5548.<br />
• See the Third Trimester <strong>Pregnancy</strong><br />
Guide for information about finding<br />
a baby doctor.<br />
• Call 250-6700 for Buncombe County<br />
Child Care Services for a listing of child<br />
care services in Buncombe County.<br />
• Unless your doctor has told you<br />
differently, sex is considered safe<br />
during pregnancy.<br />
By 28 weeks mom may be having<br />
changes that make her uncomfortable.<br />
Your patience and understanding are<br />
very important to her. Read and go to<br />
classes with her to find out ways to help<br />
her be more comfortable.<br />
T RAVEL T IPS<br />
Most women can travel during their<br />
pregnancy. If you are told you have a<br />
“high-risk” pregnancy your care provider<br />
may give you special instructions for<br />
traveling. The best time for traveling will<br />
be in the second trimester (weeks 14-28).<br />
Always talk with your care<br />
provider before you travel.<br />
For traveling in a car:<br />
• Always wear your seat belt. Put the lap<br />
belt below your tummy, low on your<br />
hips. Do not wear the lap belt in the<br />
middle or above your tummy. Put the<br />
shoulder straps between your breasts.<br />
For traveling in a car, train or bus:<br />
• Try not to travel more than 6 hours<br />
a day.<br />
• Take pillows for head and low back.<br />
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes and<br />
comfortable shoes.<br />
• Stop every 1-2 hours to walk around.<br />
• Don’t drink caffeinated drinks. Drink<br />
lots of water, juice or milk.<br />
For traveling by plane:<br />
• Sit in seats that are in front of the<br />
wings. The ride is less noisy and bumpy.<br />
• Ask for an aisle seat so you can<br />
move around.<br />
• Eat light bland foods before the flight<br />
and take crackers with you.<br />
• Wear loose comfortable clothes. Take<br />
a light jacket or sweater for changes<br />
in temperature.<br />
• Don’t drink caffeinated drinks. Drink<br />
lots of water, juice and milk.<br />
21<br />
P REVENTING<br />
P RETERM L ABOR<br />
What is a preterm birth<br />
Any baby born three weeks or more before<br />
the due date is preterm. When babies<br />
are born preterm they have a greater<br />
chance for health problems. These can<br />
be health problems at the time of birth<br />
and for the rest of their lives.<br />
They can have problems:<br />
• Sucking and digesting their food.<br />
This could mean they don’t gain<br />
weight and their body won’t get the<br />
things it needs for growing.<br />
• They can have breathing problems<br />
like asthma and more illnesses like<br />
pneumonia and bronchitis.<br />
What is preterm labor<br />
Preterm labor is uterine contractions<br />
that can dilate your cervix and cause<br />
your baby to be born before 37 weeks.<br />
Preterm labor may not always feel<br />
the same as labor at 40 weeks. The<br />
contractions may not feel “painful.”<br />
Never ignore any of the<br />
following symptoms:<br />
• Menstrual-like cramps (constant<br />
or occasional).<br />
• Low, dull backache (constant or<br />
occasional).<br />
• Pelvic pressure (feels like the baby is<br />
pushing down) in the vagina.<br />
• Abdominal cramping (with or<br />
without diarrhea).<br />
• Increase or change in vaginal discharge.<br />
• Uterine contractions every 10 minutes<br />
or more often. (The contractions may<br />
not hurt. They may only feel like<br />
pressure or tightening.)<br />
• Call your doctor right away if you are<br />
bleeding or you feel water leaking<br />
from your vagina.