You are expecting a new baby! Preparing for the birth of a new child can be one of life’s greatest experiences.  Take good care of your health.  When you are pregnant, everything you do has an effect on you and can have an effect on your baby
Generally, your first appointment with a healthcare provider for prenatal care should be when you are 8 - 10 weeks pregnant  Young or old, first baby or not, you need to have good prenatal care for your own health and the health of the baby. Appointments for prenatal care start at once a month and increase as the pregnancy progresses.  In the last few weeks before birth, appointments are usually weekly.  If you have another medical condition or are pregnant and considered a high risk, you may have more frequent visits.
During your pregnancy, it is important to attend all of your appointments, even if you are feeling well.  The appointments are for your welfare and for that of your unborn baby.  Most often, everything will be all right but the visits are also an opportunity for your healthcare provider to identify and treat potential problems early.
Research has consistently shown that women who get early and regular prenatal care have healthier pregnancies and healthier babies.

Do it for yourself and for your baby.

Most healthcare providers recommend that women take a prenatal multivitamin during their pregnancy.  This ensures that women receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, iron, and calcium.These support the growth and development of the baby before birth.

It is also best to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

For the best advice, consult with your healthcare provider to be sure that you are doing what is right for the needs of your body and for the development of your baby.

When you are preparing for a new baby, take the time to think about what you eat each day
Be sure that you and your baby get all of the vitamins, minerals and calories needed for a healthy pregnancy.
Each day, your diet should include servings from each of these healthy food groups:

• Grain products provide carbohydrates that are an important source of energy.  Eat 6-11 servings a day of fortified or whole grains like whole-wheat bread, rice, or pasta.
• Fruits and Vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and fiber.  At least 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit are recommended each day. One of the fruits should be juice or fruit with Vitamin C such as orange juice.
• Protein foods like meat, fish and dried beans are very important to your baby’s growth.  Eat 3-4 servings each day.  If you are a vegetarian, foods like eggs, tofu or other soy, and dried beans and nuts can help meet this requirement.
• Milk and Milk products, including calcium fortified soy milk, help build strong bones and teeth for your baby. Have 3-4 servings each day from dairy foods including yogurt, milk, or cheese.

Finally, remember to drink lots of healthy liquids and limit your intake of caffeine.