Continue this discussion with your doctor, especially if you have concerns or are experiencing issues eating or taking your vitamins due to morning sickness.
Begin discussing labor and delivery plans with your doctor. See Labor and Delivery section below for more information.
Signs of contractions may be different for women with mobility impairments, especially those who do not have sensation. You will need to be familiar with these signs early in pregnancy in order to know if you go into early labor.
An amniocentesis is a test done early in pregnancy where a small amount of fluid is drawn from the sac surrounding the fetus to test for certain genetic abnormalities and fetal infections. This test is optional and you will want to discuss the risks and benefits of the test with your doctor. For some women with mobility impairments, there are different risks and benefits to discuss.
This is important for all mothers-to-be but for women with mobility impairments, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead in terms of transfers, positioning, and bowel and bladder management.
It is important to maintain a healthy weight throughout pregnancy. You want to be sure the baby is getting good nutrition to grow but you do not want to gain extra weight.
Know the signs and symptoms of UTIs as you are at an increased risk during pregnancy.
Pay attention to bowel and bladder changes and discuss them regularly with your doctor.
Check for skin breakdown regularly and discuss necessary changes with your mobility provider.
