Having a Baby

To get the best care from your health center, you must go to see them as early as possible in your pregnancy. The care team at your health center is your best resource during the time of your pregnancy, so you should see them regularly. The more you connect with your care team, the better they will get to know you. That will help them anticipate what you and your baby need, and guide you to the right care.

Limit These Foods –

These foods may be safe in small quantities.
Talk to your health center before adding these to your diet:

• Caffeine
• Artificial sweeteners
• Fast food and sweets
• Albacore or “white” tuna
• Herbal teas or supplements

Eating for Pregnancy Symptoms

Nearly every woman will experience digestive upset during pregnancy. That includes nausea, constipation, bloating and even dislike for some foods you used to love. Sometimes what you eat can make these feelings worse. Here are some tips to help.

• Stay away from spicy or fatty foods
• Avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating
• Sitting up straight can help with digestion

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Dental care is very important when you are pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can put you at greater risk for gum disease. This can affect your health and the health of your growing baby. Continue to brush, floss and see your dentist while you are pregnant. Also, call your health center right away if you have any tenderness, bleeding or swelling in your gums.

Most HCLA health centers offer dental care for adults and children. Your care team can help you make any appointments you need.

Medications and Supplements

Talk to your health center before taking any prescription or over the counter medications. Also, don’t take any vitamins or herbal supplements until after checking with your health center. Your care team there will know what’s best for you and baby.

There will be a lot going on as your baby grows and develops. Of course, there will be many changes to your growing baby and your body. You will also have many important visits with your health center and care team. Here’s a little more information on what you can expect during the three trimesters of your pregnancy.

Your Baby

• Baby starts to develop growing arms, legs, bones, eyes, ears and internal organs.
• Baby’s heart starts to beat.
• Baby can open their fists and mouth.
• By the end of week 13, your baby will be about 3 inches long and weigh about 1 ounce.

Your Body

• You may not look pregnant yet as baby has just started to develop.
• You may feel more tired than usual.
• You might have mood swings as your hormones change with pregnancy.
• You might have upset stomach or vomiting at any time during the day. Some foods you used to like may not look or smell good to you right now. This is what’s called morning sickness, and it usually ends around week 14.

Your Health Center

• Make your first prenatal appointment with your HCLA health center as soon as you can. Your health plan requires you to have an appointment with your primary care doctor or care team as soon as you know you’re pregnant.
• Your care team will schedule you for the tests and office visits that you need to help you have a healthy pregnancy.

Your Baby

• Baby can swallow and suck their thumb.
• Baby can kick, move their arms, sleep, wake up and yawn.
• Baby has eyelashes, eyebrows, nails and hair.
• By the end of week 27, your baby will be about 13 inches long and weigh about 1 ½ pounds.

Your Body

• Your pregnancy will probably start to show more.
• Your stomach may settle, and your favorite foods may start looking and smelling good again.
• You might have more energy.
• Your breasts may get bigger and start to feel tender.
• You’ll start to feel your baby move.

Your Health Center

• A member of your care team will help make sure you are scheduled for any necessary exams to check your and your baby’s health.
• Additional routine laboratory services will be recommended during your pregnancy to check your and your baby’s health.

Your Baby

• Baby can open their eyes and hear sounds.
• Baby’s bones and organs are all formed now.
• Baby will move down, getting in position to be born.
• By week 40, baby will be about 19 inches long and weight about 7 pounds.

Your Body

• Your abdomen (stomach) will continue to grow and will feel hard.
• You will feel and see your baby moving.
• Your ankles and feet may swell a little.
• You’ll probably have to pee more often.
• You may get tired easily and might feel short of breath sometimes.
• Your lower abdomen (stomach) will feel heavier as baby moves down.

Your Health Center

• Your care team will recommend appropriate lab tests and screenings to help you have a healthy third trimester.
• Your care team will let you know which hospital you will go to when you go into labor, and it’s time for baby to be born. It’s important to go to the right hospital to be sure your care team can stay in contact with you and that your health plan covers your stay there.

• It’s a good time to ask your health center care team about who will be your baby’s regular doctor after you get out of the hospital. It’s important to think ahead about baby’s health needs and first appointments. If you need additional help finding a provider for your baby, call the HCLA member services department at 818-702-0100.

How can you tell if you’re in labor?

You are probably in labor if:

• You feel strong, regular contractions throughout your whole uterus.
• Contractions are happening about every 5 minutes and are growing more painful.
• Blood-streaked or pink fluid comes from your vagina.
• Your water breaks. This can be a big gush or a slow trickle from your vagina.

You are probably not in labor if:

• Your contractions aren’t coming regularly or aren’t very strong.
• You feel the contractions only in the lower part of your uterus.
• Contractions go away when you walk or change position.

What to Expect in the Hospital

• At the hospital, you might receive your care from a special provider called a laborist. Your laborist will lead a hospital care team that will make sure you receive all the care you need during labor and delivery. They will also stay in touch with your health center so they will know your health history. This helps them to take better care of you in the hospital.
• Your laborist and hospital care team will be with you every step of the way during your stay at the hospital. They will answer any questions you may have and will let you know what to expect during labor and delivery. Once your baby is born, they will help you both check safely out of the hospital and hand your care back to your HCLA health center care team.

Health Care for Baby

• You need to let your health plan know of your baby’s birth within 30 days of delivery. Once you get home, contact your health plan so they can set up proper coverage for your baby.
• Also, call your HCLA health center to schedule a newborn care visit. This first visit usually happens within 2 – 3 weeks of delivery. After that, you will take your baby to a pediatrician or family practice doctor for ongoing care.
• If you haven’t already selected your baby’s new doctor, remember, you can choose from many quality doctors in the HCLA network. Your care team can help recommend a pediatrician or family practice doctor to care for your baby. You can also call the HCLA member services department at 818-702-0100 for help finding the right doctor.
• Once you’ve found your new pediatrician or family practice doctor, it’s important to take your baby to visit regularly. Regular health care visits and preventive care, like immunizations, are especially important during baby’s first year. The better your baby’s doctor and care team get to know them, the healthier your baby will be.