The 3 basic components of pregnancy care include:

• Ensuring the delivery of a healthy baby
• Pleasant experience of pregnancy with the least complications with timely vaccinations and appropriate nutritional supplementation
• Healthy, happy mother during and post delivery

• At one end of the spectrum, there are women who do not have any pregnancy symptoms till the abdomen starts to increase in size and begin feeling fetal movements. They may assume that they have irregular cycles!
• At the other end of the spectrum, women may begin experiencing nausea/ vomiting (which is the commonest symptom of early pregnancy) at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy.

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy is considered most crucial as most abortions happen during this time. The most common cause of abortions seen in 15% of women is due to genetic abnormalities in the conceptus. The dos and don’ts include:

• Avoid lifting heavy weights
• Sexual intercourse is safe if your pregnancy is otherwise uncomplicated. Talk to your doctor about it.
• If you have been exercising regularly, the changes happening in your body as a result of pregnancy may restrict your energy levels. Do not push yourself too much. Stay in your comfort zone.
• Eat healthy. Do not skip meals. Keep yourself well hydrated. Take the prescribed prenantal vitamins regularly.
• Consult your doctor, if you feel anything is abnormal.
• Get planty of rest

Your doctor is the best person to tell you if “everything is fine” with your pregnancy. Clear any doubts with your ObGyn. The most checked aspects include:

• Haemoglobin is normal
• Blood pressure is within normal range
• Blood sugar values are not elevated
• Adequate weight gain in pregnancy
• Adequate increase in abdominal girth
• Growth of fetus normal when assessed by your doctor on abdominal palpation or on scan.
• Adequately perceiving fetal movements in late pregnancy.