Your Pregnancy: What to Expect

Nutrition, Food Safety & Infections

Eating a varied, balanced diet during pregnancy helps provide the nutrients needed to support your health and your baby's growth. Most foods can still be enjoyed during pregnancy, but a few precautions can help reduce the risk of foodborne infections.

• Nutrition During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Weight Gain During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Preventing Infections in Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Food Safety in Pregnancy (Dr. Marta Perez, video)
  
  

Exercise, Activity & Sex

For most people with uncomplicated pregnancies, regular physical activity is safe and encouraged. Many activities you enjoyed before pregnancy can be continued with appropriate modifications as your pregnancy progresses. Routine activity restriction or bed rest is generally not recommended. Certain pregnancy complications may require individualized recommendations, so please ask if you have been given specific activity restrictions.

• Exercise During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Exercises and Stretches You Can Do At Home During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Exercise in Pregnancy Part 1 (SMFM, video)

• Exercise in Pregnancy Part 2 (SMFM, video)

• Pregnancy & Exercise (Dr. Marta Perez, video)

• Sex During Pregnancy (UCSF Health)

• Activity Restriction in Pregnancy (SMFM)

• Risks of Bedrest (Dr. Marta Perez)

Vaccines During Pregnancy

Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect both you and your baby from certain infections. Recommendations depend partly on the time of year and where you are in your pregnancy. We will review recommended vaccines with you during your prenatal visits.

• Vaccination Guide for Pregnancy (SMFM)

• Vaccine Safety During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Vaccines 

• Vaccines During Pregnancy (ACOG, video)

• My Vaccine Choice: How getting my shots protected me and my baby.  (ACOG)

Travel & Everyday Safety

Most people with uncomplicated pregnancies can continue to travel and participate in their usual activities with a few additional precautions. Recommendations may change later in pregnancy or if you develop a pregnancy complication.

• Car Safety for Pregnant Women and Children (ACOG)

• Travel During Pregnancy (ACOG)

Environmental & Substance Exposures

Pregnancy can raise questions about everyday exposures at home, at work, and in your environment. Certain substances and chemicals can affect pregnancy, while many common exposures are safe.

• Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, & Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Tobacco, Alcohol & Substance Use 

• Toxic Chemicals During Pregnancy (ACOG)

Pregnancy can bring a wide range of physical changes and discomforts. Most are normal, but there are often simple strategies that can help manage symptoms and make you more comfortable. If you are experiencing severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms, please contact our office for guidance.

• Common Discomforts of Pregnancy (UCSF Health)

• Back Pain During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Pregnancy-Related Pain (Dr. Marta Perez, video)

• Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (ACOG)

Pregnancy can bring a wide range of emotions, and changes in mood, anxiety, or stress can occur at any point. Your emotional health is an important part of your pregnancy care. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, overwhelming fears about pregnancy or childbirth, or other emotional concerns, please let us know. Treatment and support are available during pregnancy.

• Depression During Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Anxiety During  Pregnancy (ACOG)

• Mental Health & Pregnancy (ACOG, video)

• Mental Health 

• Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding (InfantRisk)

• Understanding Tokophobia: Feat of Pregnancy & Childbirth (ACOG)

Prefer a book you can refer back to throughout pregnancy? These are a few options I commonly recommend to patients. Each has a slightly different focus, so you certainly don't need them all.

• What to Expect When You're Expecting
  A classic and very popular pregnancy guide covering common questions, symptoms, and what to expect throughout pregnancy.

• Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month
  Published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this is an excellent evidence-based guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

• Expecting Better
  An evidence-focused look at many of the common recommendations, questions, and myths surrounding pregnancy.

• The Happiest Baby on the Block
  Written by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, this one focuses more on your new baby, including newborn behavior, crying, and sleep.

• Birth Vibes – Jen Hamilton, RN

A practical, approachable guide to preparing for labor and delivery, with an emphasis on understanding your preferences, communicating with your care team, and staying flexible when birth doesn't go exactly as planned.

Looking for more options? Babylist has a larger collection of pregnancy, childbirth, partner, and postpartum book recommendations if you'd like to explore further.