Page 170 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2020

HEALTHY LIVING
(During a Pandemic)
story by Alaysha Allen
Bringing a new life into the world is stressful enough without a global pandemic. Now, an expectant woman must protect herself, her baby, and respect new health regulations. What to typically expect with pregnancy? Dr. Lynsey Cox helped answer this question.
Before conception, Dr. Cox recommends talking to your doctor
to make sure all current medications are safe during pregnancy. This rst step ensures that a person is making appropriate decisions for the health of the baby. Next, it is necessary to keep all Pap smears and annual exams up to date. She also advises to decrease and stop alcohol consumption while trying to conceive.
Having a healthy baby begins with keeping yourself healthy. For added bene ts to the baby and decrease morning sickness, Dr. Cox advises, “Begin taking prenatal vitamins three months before conception.”
Once a pregnancy test is positive, schedule an appointment between six and twelve weeks. This initial visit will include ultrasound, several screening tests, an exam, and a discussion
about genetic screening. Before this appointment, be sure to know your
and your partner’s medical history and have questions prepared.
The doctor schedules the next ultrasound at 20 weeks for anatomy. While the gender reveals itself at
this time, their movement will also develop. Now would be the time for new mothers to enroll in childbirth classes; however, this cannot happen the same way. Fortunately, www. whattoexpect.com o ers endless amounts of information on pregnancy and virtual sessions in varying methods.
Between 24 and 28 weeks, the mother will have a screening for gestational diabetes and anemia. After 28 weeks, there will be appointments every two weeks to observe the baby’s heartbeat and blood pressure. At this time, you will start developing yur delivery plan. Unfortunately, you
will not be allowed to have as many people in the delivery room due to
COVID-19
regulations.
With your
partner, discuss
reaching out to other
family members and how to introduce the family member to others in the safest way possible.
The checkups will switch to
every week at 37 weeks. At the appointments, the doctor will monitor dilation and pregnancy symptoms. Dr. Cox says, “Delivery is recommended at 41 weeks.”
Dr. Cox also advises, “If you had two or more miscarriages or tried
to conceive unsuccessfully for over
a year, have an evaluation by your OBGYN.” Focus on yourself and your baby. While you may not get to have as many people involved in your appointments and festivities, remember to congratulate yourself on the new life coming to the world!
170 | September 2020
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
“Remember to congratulate yourself on the new life coming to the world!”