At the HEED Coalition and The Basics Southcoast/RI, we begin where life begins. Prenatal care and nutrition are foundational to the health, development, and future well-being of both parent and child. The earliest months of pregnancy shape not only physical outcomes, but also emotional resilience, relational health, and long-term growth.
This section of the Birth to Five Resource Guide is designed to offer evidence-informed guidance to support you during pregnancy. Here, you will find carefully selected resources related to prenatal care, nutrition, and wellness, grounded in the belief that informed parents are empowered parents. Our aim is to help you navigate choices with clarity, confidence, and care.
These resources are intended to inform and support, not to overwhelm or replace professional medical guidance. They are not a substitute for individualized advice from your physician, midwife, or clinical care provider. Every pregnancy is unique, and we encourage you to consult directly with your healthcare team regarding your specific needs and circumstances.
In offering this guidance, we are guided by a simple but powerful truth: when families are supported early, they are positioned to thrive. Knowledge, when shared with integrity and discernment, becomes a form of care.
Most people are seen around 8–10 weeks of pregnancy, but you can call your provider as soon as you have a positive home test to get started and ask about any medications, vitamins, or early symptoms. ACOG recommends early prenatal care to assess health risks and plan testing.
In an uncomplicated pregnancy, visits are typically every 4 weeks until about 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until birth. Your schedule may be more frequent if you have health conditions or a high-risk pregnancy.
Your provider checks your blood pressure, weight, and sometimes urine; listens to the baby’s heartbeat; measures your abdomen; reviews symptoms; and may order blood tests, ultrasounds, or vaccines as needed. Mental health, nutrition, and safety at home are also often discussed.
ACOG recommends flu, COVID-19, and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy (timing depends on the vaccine) to protect both you and your baby. These vaccines help prevent severe illness and provide antibodies to the baby in late pregnancy.
Not exactly. Most people only need about an extra 300–450 calories per day in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, focusing on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
Key nutrients include folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, iodine, and omega-3 fats. A prenatal vitamin plus a balanced diet usually covers these, but WIC or your provider can help tailor a plan if you’re vegetarian, anemic, or have nausea.
In general: avoid unpasteurized dairy, raw or undercooked meats and eggs, certain high-mercury fish (like shark, swordfish, king mackerel), deli meats not reheated, and unwashed produce. This reduces risk of infections like listeria and toxoplasmosis.
Programs like WIC provide monthly benefits for fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and infant foods, plus nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support—available in New Bedford, Fall River, Wareham, and all of RI.
Yes. A prenatal vitamin is recommended for nearly everyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive, to guarantee consistent folic acid and other key nutrients. Your provider or WIC nutritionist can help you choose one and check if you need extra iron or other supplements.
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Important Notice
The Birth to Five Resource Guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. By using this site, you acknowledge that you are accessing these materials voluntarily and at your own discretion.
The information shared here is not intended to replace professional medical, clinical, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician, pediatrician, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding health, development, or medical conditions.
The HEED Coalition and The Basics Southcoast/RI make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of the information provided and assume no liability for any decisions made or actions taken based on the use of this site.
Use of this site constitutes your acceptance of these terms.
