During Pregnancy
Your journey is just beginning. From how to build your care team and doctor visits to staying healthy and prepared, we’ve gathered the information you need during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a time of change, learning, and growth—for you and your baby. The information here is designed to guide you through every stage, from early nutrition and exercise to safe choices, body changes, medical care, and preparing for birth.
Explore tips on making safe choices, understanding changes in your body, and getting the medical care you need.
You’ll also find guidance on preparing for your baby’s arrival, ensuring you’re ready for this exciting new chapter.
Your Body Resources
Pregnancy brings many changes—some expected, some surprising. Learning what’s normal and how to care for yourself can help you feel your best through every stage.
Key topics in this section include:
- Staying healthy throughout pregnancy
- Common symptoms and how to manage them
- Body changes in the second and third trimesters
- Tips for easing nausea and morning sickness
Pregnancy changes your body in many ways, and every experience is unique. These resources help you understand what is normal and how to ease common symptoms such as tiredness, swelling, or nausea. You will also find simple tips to stay comfortable and confident as your body grows and prepares for birth. Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to care for your baby.
Check out our newly renovated Labor and Delivery suites before welcoming your baby.
BMC Recommended Resources
Your Body
10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your baby—and for you. Staying healthy helps your baby grow and develop, and it helps lower the risk of pregnancy problems.
Your Body
Early Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do
Early pregnancy brings many changes—some exciting, some uncomfortable. This page shares common symptoms you may experience and simple ways to care for yourself. If anything feels unusual or concerning, always reach out to your care team.
Your Body
Middle and Later Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do
As your baby grows, your body changes. It’s normal to feel new things—some you may like, but others may feel odd or uncomfortable.
Your Body
Tips for Morning Sickness
Many people feel sick to their stomach (nausea) or throw up (vomit) during pregnancy. This is often called morning sickness, though it can happen at any time of the day.
All Your Body Resources
Medical Care Resources
Pregnancy care is about more than checkups. It’s about understanding your body, your baby, and the choices available to you. These resources will guide you through common tests and treatments designed to protect your health and your baby’s growth.
Key topics in this section include:
- Prenatal tests and screenings
- Genetic testing and counseling
- High blood pressure and preeclampsia
- Safe use of prenatal aspirin
Prenatal care is your roadmap for a healthy pregnancy. Regular visits, lab tests, and screenings help your care team monitor your health and your baby’s progress. The resources here explain what to expect from common tests, what they measure, and how they help guide your care. Knowing how each step supports your health can help you feel informed, confident, and reassured.
BMC Recommended Resources
Medical Care
Prenatal Visits: Monitoring Your Health and Baby’s Growth
Prenatal visits are a vital part of keeping you and your baby healthy. These regular check-ins help your provider track your baby’s growth and development; monitor your overall health and catch any concerns early, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, or anemia; provide screenings or extra tests if needed; and answer your questions and ease any worries.
Medical Care
Making Decisions about Genetic Screening
Genetic testing during pregnancy can give you important information about your baby’s health. These tests can check for conditions like Down syndrome or inherited health problems.
Medical Care
High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia
During pregnancy, your body makes more blood to support your growing baby. It’s normal for your blood pressure to rise a little. But if it gets too high—above 140/90—it can become dangerous. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can affect both your health and your baby’s health.
Medical Care
Understanding Aspirin in Pregnancy
A small daily dose of prenatal aspirin can have big benefits during pregnancy for those at risk of high blood pressure or preeclampsia. This page explains why your provider may recommend aspirin, how it works, and whether it might be right for you.
All Medical Care Resources
Mental Health Resources
As your hormones change during pregnancy and you get ready for a new addition to your life, it can bring up many emotions. This is normal, but it's also important to ask for help if you need it. These resources can help you navigate your feelings and learn where to find support.
Key topics in this section include:
- Understanding mood changes during pregnancy
- Self-care and coping strategies
- Your options for mental health treatment
- When and how to reach out for help
No two people will have the same emotions during pregnancy, and there's no "right" way to manage these mental health changes. But they are possible to manage with the right strategies and support for your individual needs. It’s important to understand the symptoms of potential issues to look for and know that there are ways to get help.
BMC Recommended Resources
Mental Health
Being There: Support During Pregnancy
Support during pregnancy looks different for everyone. Your support person might be your partner, the baby’s father, a friend, a family member, or a doula. What matters most is having someone you trust and feel comfortable with.
Mental Health
Self-Help Tips for Your Mental Health During Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, it’s important to take steps to keep your mind and body healthy. Try different things to figure out what works best for you, but here are some tips for where to start.
Mental Health
Get Help Now for Your Mental Health
Are you or someone you know in a mental health crisis? Find how to get help at Boston Medical Center, or through regional and national postpartum and new-parent support hotlines.
All Mental Health Resources
Nutrition & Exercise Resources
A balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for both your health and your baby’s development. It's essential to consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods and engage in moderate physical activity, while avoiding certain foods and activities
Key topics in this section include:
- Nutritional needs for every stage of pregnancy
- Safe exercising practices
- Getting your body ready to breastfeed
- Pregnancy discomfort and how to find relief
The choices you make during pregnancy can help you feel stronger, stay comfortable, and support your baby’s growth. Regular, moderate activity improves circulation, eases common aches, and helps manage healthy weight gain.
Combined with good nutrition, staying active lowers the risk of complications like gestational diabetes and can lead to better outcomes for both you and your baby—even making labor and delivery a little easier.
BMC Recommended Resources
Nutrition & Exercise
Food Power: How Nutrients Help in Pregnancy
Nutrients are the “good stuff” in food that help you and your baby grow strong and stay healthy. They include things like vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Nutrition & Exercise
Avoid These Foods and Drinks for a Healthy Pregnancy
During pregnancy, some foods and drinks can be harmful to you or your baby if eaten too often or prepared in unsafe ways. Use this guide to learn which foods to avoid or limit—and get simple tips to keep your meals safe and healthy.
Nutrition & Exercise
Exercise: Get Moving During Pregnancy
Exercise helps you stay healthy while you are pregnant. Most people should exercise at least every other day for 30-60 minutes.
All Nutrition & Exercise Resources
Safe Choices Resources
During pregnancy, you’ll make many decisions to protect your health and your baby’s health. These resources can help you understand what’s safe, what to avoid, and when to talk with your healthcare provider.
Key topics in this section include:
- Sex and intimacy during pregnancy
- Vaccines and protection from illness
- Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
- Safe medicines and remedies
Pregnancy involves making many everyday choices to protect your health and your baby’s development. These resources help you understand what’s safe—from vaccines and medications to food and lifestyle habits—and when to reach out for advice. Knowing how to make informed, confident decisions helps you stay healthy and feel more in control throughout your pregnancy.
BMC Recommended Resources
Safe Choices
Sex and Intimacy During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can bring many changes, including how you feel about sex. Some people feel more interested, while others feel less desire. You or your partner may worry that sex could hurt the baby, which is a common concern.
Safe Choices
Vaccines During Pregnancy
Vaccines are shots that help your body fight disease. Some vaccines are important to get during pregnancy.
Safe Choices
How Alcohol, Smoking, and Drugs Can Affect Your Baby
Taking care of yourself during pregnancy helps protect your baby. Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can be especially harmful. Knowing the risks—and where to get help—can make a big difference.
Safe Choices
Medications That Are Safe During Pregnancy
There are many medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy.
All Safe Choices Resources
Getting Ready For Baby Resources
Preparing for your baby’s arrival can feel exciting and emotional. These resources can help you plan ahead, stay organized, and feel confident as you get closer to your delivery day.
Key topics in this section include:
- Choosing someone you trust to make medical decisions
- Preparing important documents before delivery
- Packing for your hospital stay
- Supporting your comfort and peace of mind
As your due date approaches, a little preparation can make a big difference. These resources share practical ways to get ready, from choosing someone to make medical decisions if needed to packing for your hospital stay. Planning ahead helps reduce stress and allows you to focus on what matters most—welcoming your baby and starting this new chapter with confidence.
BMC Recommended Resources
Getting Ready For Baby
Appointing a Trusted Person for Your Medical Decisions
Everyone who visits the hospital is offered a health care proxy form. This is an important step in planning your care.
Getting Ready For Baby
Your Hospital Packing List for Your Big Day
The hospital will give you many basics, like a hospital gown, mesh underwear and pads, and small care items for you as well as diapers, blankets, clothing, and hats for your baby. Otherwise, pack like you’re going on a weekend trip.
