Pregnancy Guide: What to Expect During Pregnancy, Labor and Beyond
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring plenty of questions. Our Pregnancy Guide provides practical information to help you feel informed and prepared from your first prenatal visit through delivery and the postpartum period.
The guide outlines what to expect throughout pregnancy, including prenatal appointments, genetic screening, nutrition and exercise, recommended vaccinations, common pregnancy symptoms, medications, labor and delivery, induction, postpartum recovery and newborn feeding. It is designed to complement the personalized care you receive from your Liv care team—not replace conversations with your provider.
What to Expect During Prenatal Care
Your prenatal care schedule will be individualized based on your health and pregnancy, but the guide outlines what you can generally expect at each stage. Routine visits include monitoring your weight and blood pressure, urine testing and checking your baby’s heartbeat. Additional testing throughout pregnancy may include blood work, genetic screening, ultrasounds, gestational diabetes screening and Group B Streptococcus testing.
The guide also explains genetic screening options, including carrier screening, screening for chromosomal conditions and diagnostic testing such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis when appropriate. Second-trimester testing includes alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening and an ultrasound to evaluate fetal anatomy.
Nutrition, Exercise and Everyday Pregnancy Questions
From what to eat and drink to which medications are considered safe, the guide addresses many of the everyday questions that arise during pregnancy. It includes recommendations for prenatal vitamins, hydration, exercise, healthy weight gain and foods to enjoy or avoid. The guide recommends a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid, iron, choline and DHA and emphasizes staying well hydrated throughout pregnancy.
You’ll also find information about common concerns such as vaginal spotting, discharge, swelling, hemorrhoids, round ligament pain, nausea and decreased fetal movement, including guidance about when to contact your care team.
Preparing for Labor and Delivery
As your due date approaches, the guide explains how to recognize the difference between early labor and Braxton Hicks contractions, how to time contractions and when to call your provider. Liv delivers at Sibley Memorial Hospital, where Liv and Reiter, Hill & Johnson providers share inpatient care.
The guide also outlines Liv’s approach to labor, including minimizing unnecessary cervical exams and interventions, supporting your pain-relief preferences, encouraging skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding after delivery, and recommending cesarean delivery when medically indicated.
You’ll also learn about pain-management options, induction of labor, what happens when you arrive at the hospital and circumstances that may lead to a cesarean birth. Induction may be recommended when delivering sooner is safer for the mother or baby, and the guide explains common induction methods and what to expect from the process.
Preparing for Life After Birth
Pregnancy care doesn’t end when your baby is born. The guide covers postpartum appointments, recovery, nutrition, rest, mental health, returning to intimacy, postpartum bleeding and breastfeeding or bottle feeding. A routine postpartum visit is generally scheduled at six weeks, with earlier visits when clinically indicated.
The guide also includes a practical birth-preparation checklist covering hospital preregistration, transportation, a pediatrician, car-seat installation and what to pack for the hospital and have ready at home.
Download the Pregnancy Guide or individual pages from it to explore these topics in greater detail and prepare for each stage of your pregnancy, delivery and postpartum recovery.
This guide is intended for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Always contact your healthcare provider with questions about your pregnancy, symptoms, medications or care plan.
