Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Health and Wellness
  • Pregnancy
Content

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of joy, anxiety, wonder and change. Learn more about what you can expect as your baby grows and your body changes.

Prenatal Basic Exercises

Exercising during pregnancy can help you increase your energy level.

Prenatal Trimester Checklist

Review this checklist to make sure you’re on track for each trimester.

Do’s and Don’ts During Pregnancy

Check this list of do’s and don’ts for what to do or avoid during pregnancy.

    Pregnancy Topics

    • Healthy Pregnancy
    • Fetal Development
    • Prenatal Tests
    • Special Precautions
    • Symptoms and Discomforts
    • View All Pregnancy Articles

    Ask an Expert

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    Do women experience a surge in fertility at any point in perimenopause or just before menopause?

    The average age of menopause in the United States is 51 years of age. Unfortunately, the fertility potential in women declines well in advance of this time. But to what extent and how quickly? There are few, if... continue reading  about  Do women experience a surge in fertility at any point in perimenopause or just before menopause?

    Deborah Quinn-Chen

    Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    My friends tell me their sex drive wasn't the same after they had a baby. Is that true?

    Having a baby is an overwhelming experience. You will experience changes in your body as well as your emotional state. You will be caring for your baby 24 hours a day, with interrupted sleep for at least the fi... continue reading  about  My friends tell me their sex drive wasn't the same after they had a baby. Is that true?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    What are the risks of having a baby when you're overweight? I need to lose weight, but I'm worried I'll never have a baby if I hold off until I've lost weight.

    Ideally, a woman will want to start her pregnancy at a healthy weight for her height, to minimize complications during her pregnancy.Several studies have been done to understand the effect that being overweight... continue reading  about  What are the risks of having a baby when you're overweight? I need to lose weight, but I'm worried I'll never have a baby if I hold off until I've lost weight.

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?

    Here are some general guidelines on food intake during pregnancy:Fish/Seafood:Eat no more than 12 oz of cooked fish a weekLimit tuna to once per weekAvoid shark, tile fish, or king mackerelAlcohol:Not recommend... continue reading  about  What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    My partner and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while. Are there any non-medical approaches, such as relaxation or meditation techniques, that could improve my chances of becoming pregnant?

    That question is best answered at an individual level. Infertility can be the result of a number of impairments of varying nature and severity. For this reason, we recommend a basic evaluation and individualize... continue reading  about  My partner and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while. Are there any non-medical approaches, such as relaxation or meditation techniques, that could improve my chances of becoming pregnant?

    Katarina Lanner-Cusin

    Katarina Lanner-Cusin, M.D.

    I am afraid of having a vaginal birth. Can I request a C-section delivery?

    It is normal to be apprehensive about childbirth, whether by vaginal or C-section delivery, especially if you are a first-time mom. A vaginal birth will be supported by nurses and your midwife or your physician... continue reading  about  I am afraid of having a vaginal birth. Can I request a C-section delivery?

    Ryszard J. Chetkowski

    Ryszard J. Chetkowski, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    I've heard that you can't get pregnant during your period. Is this just an old wives tale? Should I be concerned about protection during this time?

    You can get pregnant only around the time of ovulation, which for most women with regular 28-day cycles corresponds to days 12-16. So if your period comes at the expected time and is normal in terms of flow, it... continue reading  about  I've heard that you can't get pregnant during your period. Is this just an old wives tale? Should I be concerned about protection during this time?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    What are the risks of having a baby if I am 35 or older?

    About 10 percent of all pregnancies occur in women 35 or older. The age of 35 being defined as "advanced maternal age" was created to describe when the risk of a having a fetus with Down syndrome surpasses the ... continue reading  about  What are the risks of having a baby if I am 35 or older?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I don't like and can't tolerate milk and dairy products. How can I add calcium to my diet during pregnancy?

    From 1,200-1,500 mg of calcium is recommended every day during pregnancy. If you are lactose intolerant, you will need to look for other good sources of calcium, such as legumes (starchy beans), dark green vege... continue reading  about  I don't like and can't tolerate milk and dairy products. How can I add calcium to my diet during pregnancy?

    More Resources

    View Sutter's full medical library

    Medical Library

    Look up helpful health information.

    View information for Sutter Health Patients

    Patient Information

    Practical info for Sutter patients.

    Tools and Quizzes

    Tools and Quizzes

    Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.

    The Sutter Health Network of Care
    Expertise to fit your needs
    Primary Care

    Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

    Specialty Care

    Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

    Emergency Care

    For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

    Urgent Care

    After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

    Walk-In Care

    Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

    About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences