Editor’s note: This article is courtesy of a contributing author… please enjoy!

Have you finally gotten pregnant after months of trying, or maybe you are become period pregnant? Whether you have conceived with intent, or by accident, it is now time to start caring for your body. Staying healthy during pregnancy is extremely important both for your own health and the health of your baby.

Your first order of business when you think you may be pregnant is to schedule a prenatal care visit with your doctor. Your first trip may consist of blood work. Your doctor or other health care provider may ask you when the date of your last period was in order to estimate how old the baby is as well as the date of the delivery.

If you are healthy and there seem to be no impending complications most health care providers will want to see you about every month until the trimester. During your final months you’ll be expected to see your health care professional every 2 weeks until you reach the 36 week mark. Once you hit 36 weeks, you’ll be expected to visit your health care professional every week.

Implementing a healthy diet is important regardless if you are pregnant or not. When you become pregnant it is definitely just as important. Your pregnancy is not the time to start cutting calories from your diet; in fact you will have to increase your calories.

A normal sized woman will most likely be required to increase her caloric intake by 300 calories. However, your personal circumstance will impact how many calories you have to increase. Overweight women may be required to increase their calories but not as much as a woman of regular size. Check with your doctor.

In order to support healthy muscle growth and development in your unborn child make sure you are receiving enough calcium. Most women do not consume enough calcium even before they become pregnant, so it is especially important to take note of this. Some foods that are high in calcium include dairy products and dark green vegetables.

Staying healthy throughout your pregnancy is important. Even if you are trying to conceive, begin your healthy habits early. Remember, that for the most part the health of your baby depends on how well you take care of yourself.