Health Topics: Pregnancy

Whether you are planning to start a family, have an unplanned pregnancy, or want to defer pregnancy, you may have questions related to your fertility, medical history, plans for childbearing, prenatal nutrition, or knowledge of birth control.

We recognize that an unplanned pregnancy may present you with complicated decisions and conflicting feelings.  This section provides information on continuing a pregnancy, terminating a pregnancy, and adoption.

Throughout your pregnancy the health of both you and your baby are our primary concern. There are many new and innovative tools to help us carefully monitor your health during this time. The following tests are the most common evaluation procedures that we offer.

A program of regular exercise while you are pregnant will improve the efficiency and health of your heart and blood vessels, will help you maintain or achieve a body weight that’s best for you throughout your pregnancy, will help prevent constipation, and will help you keep an overall healthy feeling as your body copes with the physical changes that occur during these nine months.

Proper nutrition is very important during pregnancy. The quality of your diet needs special attention.  A normal weight gain for an average size woman is about 25 to 35 pounds (11.5 to 16.0 kg).  This includes not only the weight of the baby, but also the weight of the uterus, amniotic fluid, placenta, increased blood volume and breast growth.

During your pregnancy we encourage that you do not take any medications other than those that are necessary. M ost often, small problems may be remedied with either rest or relaxation, or adjustment of diet, and/or change in eating habits rather than various over-the-counter preparations or whatever might be in your medicine cabinet.

For your convenience, we have listed a number of prescriptions that with reasonable, necessary and sparing use are permitted in pregnancy.

There are a number of measures you can take to help ensure that your pregnancy goes smoothly. There are several things you should avoid or use caution with during your pregnancy that are noted below.

As your body prepares for delivery, the cervix will usually soften and begin to open.  The cervical mucous (plug), which may be mixed with a little blood, may pass.  Although this may happen several days before delivery, it frequently is a sign of impending labor.  If you have bright red bleeding, notify us immediately.

After your baby is born, one of the pediatricians will visit you and the baby at the hospital. Schedule an appointment 10 days later and then come in for regular well-child care.  This section includes information on lactation support and breast pumps.

Getting ready for parenting includes choosing a doctor to care for your baby. You should set up appointments with prospective pediatricians between your 7th and 8th month of pregnancy.

On-Campus Resources: Pregnancy

Call: 617-495-4292

Students who have questions about other campus and community resources during pregnancy (such as housing, financial aid, time away from campus, etc.) may contact the Director of the Harvard College Women's Center at 617-495-4292. The Director can provide unbiased, confidential support for students seeking information, services, and resources related to women’s needs and concerns.