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Baby and Me: The How-To’s for a Healthy Pregnancy

The goal of this lesson is to address issues important to the health and well-being of pregnant women.

Basics of Having a Healthy Pregnancy

  • Weight gain during pregnancy is normal and healthy for mother and baby.
  • With a little planning, a pregnant woman can meet the nutritional needs of herself and her baby.
  • Pregnant women should ask their health care provider before taking any medications or dietary supplements.
  • Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco can have serious negative effects on pregnant women and their babies.
  • When considering whether to breastfeed or formula-feed, remember that breastfeeding offers important health advantages to babies.

Learning Objectives

After completing this lesson, participants will be able to:

  1. Define “normal” pregnancy weight gain.
  2. Plan a day of food choices appropriate to meet nutritional needs for pregnancy.
  3. Identify at least one way to control pregnancy-related nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
  4. Name at least one substance to be avoided and/or limited during pregnancy.
  5. State at least one advantage of breastfeeding over formula-feeding.

Instructional Activities

The following activities can be used with either individuals or groups. Complete descriptions are included in the activities immediately following this chapter. Facilitators are encouraged to provide handouts for the activities you do not have time to complete.

  1. Pregnancy - It’s a Weighting Game
  2. Weighing In - The What and Where of Weight Gain during Pregnancy
  3. Eating for Mom and Baby - Daily Food Choices for Pregnant Women
  4. It Never Bothered Me Before - Common Nutritional Concerns during Pregnancy
  5. Just Say No, Thank You
  6. Baby-feeding Decisions

Conclusions

See individual activities for specific topics.

Check for Understanding and Behavior Change

See individual activities for specific topics.

References and Resources

Complete references and additional resources for each activity are listed at the back of this unit.

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