You’re pregnant, congratulations! Now what?

Here are a few things you can start doing right away.

Make an appointment for prenatal care

One of the best things you can do for your and your baby’s health is start getting prenatal care. Prenatal care is the care you get when you are pregnant; it is the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. Pregnancy complications can happen even if you are healthy. The best way to avoid complications and deliver a healthy baby is by starting prenatal care early in your pregnancy.

New patients are always welcome at Vecino Health Centers. Call 713-674-3326.

Fine-tune your eating habits during pregnancy

Eating a healthy diet during pregnancy is important to your baby’s growth and development. In order to get the nutrients you both need, you must eat from a variety of food groups, including fruits and vegetables, bread and grains, protein sources, and dairy products.

Start taking prenatal vitamins

Although the main source of vitamins and nutrients needed during pregnancy should come from your food, a daily prenatal vitamin can help fill the gaps.

Watch more healthy pregnancy tips from the CDC.

Comprehensive maternity care at Vecino Health Centers

A team of providers dedicated to the health of you and your baby is ready to welcome you at Vecino Health Centers. Comprehensive maternity care — from conception to birth and postnatal, including onsite ultrasounds — is available at our Denver Harbor and Airline locations.

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you might be hearing a lot of advice coming from all kinds of sources. For instance, your mom might be telling you one thing, your friend who has just had a baby tells you another, and the internet says something else. Of course, this is all well-meaning advice, but it’s easy to get confused and wonder if what you hear is true.

Myth #1: You don’t need prenatal vitamins.

Not true!

The facts: Prenatal vitamins are important for every pregnancy—no matter your age, race, or how many kids you’ve had. They help give your baby a healthy start.

To prevent serious birth defects, the CDC recommends that all women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day. Most prenatal vitamins contain the right amount of folic acid, along with other essential nutrients that support your baby’s development.

To prevent severe birth defects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid for all women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Most prenatal multivitamins have the recommended dosage of folic acid and other essential vitamins and minerals for your baby’s development.

Myth #2: Prenatal care is too far away or too expensive.

Not true!

The facts: If you live in northeast Houston, you don’t have to travel far to get quality prenatal care. Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic offers care from the moment you start thinking about having a baby through delivery—and beyond.

Worried about cost? Most insurance plans cover prenatal care. If you don’t have insurance, Vecino’s financial assistance program helps you pay an affordable amount at each visit. No surprise charges for tests or procedures.

You can get all your pregnancy-related care—including regular checkups, ultrasounds, postpartum care, circumcision, and behavioral health—at either of Vecino’s locations: Denver Harbor or Airline. Regular visits help keep both you and your baby healthy and strong.

Myth #3: Pregnant women are happy all the time.

Not true!

The facts: Pregnancy brings a lot of changes—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s completely normal to have days when you don’t feel like yourself.

You might miss things you used to do before pregnancy or feel cranky, sad, or overwhelmed for no clear reason. That’s okay. You don’t have to be happy all the time to be a good mom. Let yourself feel all the emotions—without guilt.

If you’re feeling down more often than not, talk to your provider. You’re not alone, and help is available.

If you notice that you are feeling sad most days or that you are having trouble controlling your emotions, Vecino is here to help. Call 713-674-3326 to make an appointment with one of our counselors.

Myth #4: Pregnant women should avoid having sex.

Not true!

The facts: For most people, it’s safe to have sex throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy—as long as you feel comfortable and your doctor hasn’t advised against it.

But it’s still important to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during pregnancy. An STI can seriously harm you and your baby. Even if you’ve been tested before, you should get tested again when you find out you’re pregnant.

Here are some ways to reduce your risk of STIs:

• Have sex only with a long-term, monogamous partner who has been tested

• Use condoms and dental dams consistently

• Avoid alcohol and drugs, which increase the risk of unsafe sex and can harm your baby