Unlike the common misconception, vital statistics confirm that there are NOT a lot of things that can go wrong in pregnancy or in labor/delivery for women who are healthy and of low-risk status.  Below are some tips to ensure a good outcome for your pregnancy and labor/delivery.

 

   ***Start prenatal care early with a practitioner of your choice (whether it be a doctor or a midwife). Be sure that your practitioner thoroughly answers all of your questions and addresses all of your concerns (in language that you can understand).

 

   ***Seek unbiased information about what to expect during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Find out what's normal and what's abnormal so that you will know the signs/symptoms of problems and when not to worry. Immediately report problems to your practitioner.

 

   ***Take care of yourself: Eat right, exercise, reduce stress, etc.

 

   ***Practice preventive care through healthy habits (ex., eating nutritiously, exercising, watching weight gain, etc.) and through healthy lifestyles (ex., don't smoke or do drugs, etc.).

 

   ***A lot of more common problems that occur during pregnancy (ex., toxemia, anemia, gestational diabetes, etc.) can be avoided or controlled with proper diet and exercise routines.

 

   ***The rates of complications during labor and delivery are drastically reduced when women undergo natural childbirth (with little or no unnecessary interventions).

 

   ***Seek unbiased information on the risks and benefits of common and/or routine obstetrical procedures and tests. Always avoid procedures and/or tests that are not medically necessary.

 

   ***RELAX!!! Birth is normal, your body is designed to do this and, in most cases, things work out just fine.