Ochsner.org

The road to a healthy and successful delivery starts well before pregnancy.

Ochsner Certified Nurse Midwife Colleen Newman said healthy childbirth starts with a healthy pregnancy.

“With every pregnancy, we hope the woman has had a pre-conceptual visit, has started on prenatal vitamins at least three months before she conceives, and that she begins her pregnancy at a healthy weight,” Newman said. 

Newman also recommends a healthy diet during pregnancy.

Sixty to 90 grams of protein a day are recommended for pregnant women, as well as three servings of a milk product, a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables and the inclusion of complex carbohydrates whenever possible, Newman said.

While the stereotypical pregnant woman on television is always craving strange junk foods, Newman said a good diet and exercise should help avoid excess weight gain, which can be bad for a pregnancy.

“Depending on the patient’s pre-pregnant weight, we set a weight goal for them,” Newman said.  “An average patient should gain about 20 to 25 pounds during pregnancy.”

There are some foods that women should avoid during pregnancy – not because they are unhealthy but because they are risky.

“No raw meat or uncooked sushi,” Newman said. “The current recommendation is that lunch meat and soft cheeses be heated before consuming because of the listeria bug.”

“We also encourage women to stop smoking and drinking alcohol,” Newman said. “There should be no drug use of any type, and we encourage women to not take any medications without consulting us.”

Certain over-the-counter drugs contain aspirin, which Newman said can cause negative side effects.

Ochsner OB/GYN Dr. Sharon Hedges said an exercise routine is also important for an expectant mother. 

“It’s important that women stay physically fit during pregnancy,” Hedges said. “Walking and swimming are both good choices because they are low impact exercises, but any type of exercise is typically fine if it’s something that the woman is used to doing.”

"A few women need to restrict exercise in pregnancy due to high risk conditions, so it is recommended that a woman discuss her exercise regimen with her doctor to ensure that it is safe for her," Hedges said.

Click here to download our free Ochsner pregnancy guide, which includes other tips for a healthy pregnancy.