Nearly 40% of births to U.S. women result from “surprise” pregnancies. Whether or not a woman intends to become pregnant, it is useful to have basic information on pregnancy nutrition and health care handy to help get things off to a good start should the time come. In this publication, we discuss current guidelines on nutrition and weight gain for healthy pregnancy as well as infant feeding because these factors can make a difference in the health of mothers and babies. In addition, we review pregnancy and birth care options available to women with healthy pregnancies. These include safe options that may not be well known but that many women find supportive. Resources for more information are also provided.
Nutrition, Healthy Pregnancy, and Care Options Go Hand-in-Hand
Did you know that nearly 40% of births to U.S. women are the result of “surprise” pregnancies? (Mosher et al. 2012). Whether or not you intend to become pregnant, it is useful to have basic pregnancy health and health care facts on hand if you are in your childbearing years. Figure 1 shows the linkage between optimal health prior to and during pregnancy and increased birth options to allow for a safe and supported birth.
Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Healthy Pregnancy
What is a Low-Risk Pregnancy?
A “low-risk pregnancy” is expected to be free of problems, whereas a high-risk pregnancy has a higher risk of complications before, during, or after delivery. Most pregnancies are low risk, with only about 6–8% in the high-risk category (UCSF 2016). According to the National Institutes of Health (2016a), factors that put a woman at risk include health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and others. Very young or more advanced age, smoking, alcohol use, and conditions of pregnancy including gestational diabetes also increase risk. Women with higher levels of risk in their pregnancies can seek specialty or subspecialty care (Menard et al. 2015) that includes specialized equipment and doctors that can handle potential complications surrounding labor and birth. Although some pregnancy risks cannot be controlled, other risks can be reduced or even eliminated to enable a low-risk or lower risk pregnancy, which allows for a wider range of birth providers and settings.