Understanding Pregnancy

Return to the Providence Beginnings home page.

Pregnancy guides and links

• A prenatal and newborn resource guide for Oregon families  
• Guia de recursos prenatales y de recien nacidos para las familias de Oregon
• Guias del embarazo en espanol:   NacerSano.org y  Gui­a para padres primerizos y Un embarazo saludable
• Weekly e-newsletter
• Your pregnancy week by week 
• Su embarazo semana por semana

Pregnancy and the body

• Body changes
• Digestive difficulties
• Stretch marks and other skin changes
• Dental care
• Medications and pregnancy
• Sleeping troubles
• Classes to prepare for childbirth
• Mom-to-be tools
• Is it safe to have sex?
• When to call the doctor

Nutrition during pregnancy

• Weight gain
• Healthy eating
• Vitamins and folic acid
• Safe eats and foods to avoid
• Mercury in fish
• Safe fish chart
• Food safety and foodborne illness
• More on healthy food, healthy families at WIC

Doctor visits and tests

• Regular check-ups
• Prenatal tests and procedures
• More fact sheets and resources

Exercise in pregnancy

• Why exercise during pregnancy?
• Is exercise safe for all pregnant women?
• What type of exercise is best during pregnancy?
• What guidelines should I follow?
• How will I know if I’m overdoing it?
• How can I prepare my body for labor and birth?
• Where can I register for pregnancy and parenting classes?
• More fact sheets and resources