Do go to your obstetrician as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Be sure to get started on your prenatal vitamins right away as prenatal vitamins have folic acid in them to prevent birth defects. Most birth defects begin in the early months of pregnancy.
Do buy a new crib (or cradle); not used. Older recalls can be difficult to track down and the rails may be too far apart so that your baby could fall through them. Don't risk it.
Do make sure that crib sheets fit securely and don't pull off. Oversized sheets can slip off and suffocate your baby. Crib sheets that are too small won't stay on the mattress and can slip off placing your baby at risk.
Do make sure that all the meat you eat is cooked well as under cooked meat can contain ecoli, a dangerous bacteria. Under-cooked pork can lead to toxoplasmosis.
Do take it easy! Rest is important in pregnancy and a nap a day does wonders for those headaches.
Pregnancy Don'ts
Avoid Shellfish
Avoid shellfish as it is a leading cause of food poisoning. Food poisoning can cause miscarriage. Consider limiting tuna as well as some tuna contains high levels of mercury and the general consensus among health advocates is to not eat it at all during pregnancy. Mercury can harm your baby in any amount.
Smoking
Don't smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Cigarette smoking has been linked to newborns with low birth weight. Protect your baby!
Hot Tubs
Don't get into hot tubs when pregnant. It's not worth it. If you overheat your body, you overheat your baby!
Caffeine
Don't drink more than 2 cups of coffee per day during pregnancy. Your baby may be at risk of birth defects if you do.
Litter Box
Don't change the litter box if you have a cat. You could get toxoplasmosis (a very serious illness!). Don't give up your cat, just have someone else change the litter box.
