What Is This Module About?

Have you ever wondered why doctors always congratulate their female patients
after finding out that they are pregnant? Have you noticed that excited smile on the
face of the father-to-be once the doctor confirms his wife’s pregnancy? Remember
that pregnancy is a blessing which makes family members and friends happy!
And speaking of blessings, do count this module as one of yours! This will be
very useful for:
♦ pregnant women who aim to lead a healthy lifestyle;
♦ women who want to have a healthy pregnancy in the future;
♦ fathers-to-be who wish to help their wives have a healthy pregnancy; and
♦ people who wish to know more about pregnancy and be supportive of a
pregnant family member or friend.
There are two lessons in this module, namely:
Lesson 1 – What Are the Common Signs of Pregnancy?
Lesson 2 – How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle When Pregnant

What Will You Learn From This Module?

After studying this module, you should be able to:

♦ identify the signs of pregnancy;
♦ discuss the proper nutrition that a woman should have during pregnancy; and
♦ identify exercises and health practices that are good for pregnant women.

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 Let’s See What You Already Know

Before you begin studying this module, let’s find out how much you already know
about pregnancy. Please answer each of the following test items by encircling the
letter of the best answer.
1. One of the responsibilities of a pregnant woman is to ____________.
a. be careful in choosing her food
b. take medicines even without a doctor’s consent or advise
c. undertake rigorous daily exercise to prepare her body for the physical
demands of pregnancy
d. stay in bed during the last three months of pregnancy
2. Which of the following is a sign of pregnancy?
a. irritability
b. weight gain
c. morning sickness
d. all of the above
3. Regular checkups are important during pregnancy because ____________.
a. a pregnant woman needs to take many different kinds of
medicines
b. a pregnant woman needs opportunities to exercise
c. it is the doctor’s advice
d. the health of a pregnant mother and her unborn baby must be
protected
4. It is best for the pregnant woman to see her doctor when she experiences
____________.
a. fluid discharge from the vagina
b. abdominal pains
c. severe headaches
d. all of the above
5. A pregnant woman urinates frequently due to ____________.
a. the pressure on the bladder brought about by the unborn baby’s
continuous growth
b. the intake of vitamins
c. her gaining weight
d. none of the above
6. A doctor can estimate a pregnant woman’s delivery date based on the
___________ day of her last menstrual period.
a. third c. first
b. last d. none of the above
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 7. Pregnant women should eat the right kinds of food every day in order to
make herself and her baby healthy. Their diet should include ___________.
a. chocolates and other sweets
b. soft drinks
c. milk
d. alcoholic drinks
8. This is one of the special nutrients that make the unborn baby’s bones
healthy.
a. folate
b. calcium
c. iron
d. all of the above
9. The pregnant mother will definitely experience changes in her __________.
a. bowel movement
b. nipples
c. moods
d. all of the above
10. The pregnant woman especially needs three nutrients in order to deliver a
healthy and normal baby. These are ______________________________.
a. vitamin A, folate and calcium
b. folate, calcium and iron
c. vitamin C, iron and vitamin A
d. folate, iron and vitamin C
Well, how was it? Do you think you fared well? Compare your answers with those
in the Answer Key on pages 37–38.
If all your answers are correct, very good! This shows that you already know
much about the topic. You may still study the module to review what you already
know. Who knows, you might learn a few more new things as well.
If you got a low score, don’t feel bad. This means that this module is for you. It
will help you understand important concepts that you can apply in your daily life. If
you study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all the items in the test
and a lot more! Are you ready?
You may now go to the next page to begin Lesson 1.

3
 LESSON 1

What Are the Common Signs of

Pregnancy?
I just missed my
menstruation….

Women usually realize that they’re pregnant once they miss their monthly
menstrual period. However, this sign (stoppage of menstruation) is just one of the
many symptoms of pregnancy. If a woman is confirmed pregnant, she will definitely
go through some other physical and emotional changes. But how can she cope with
such changes? Well, it wouldn’t be hard for her if she gets to know and understand
them. She should also learn to accept the changes as a normal part of her condition.
After studying this first lesson, you should be able to:
♦ identify the common signs of pregnancy;
♦ describe the physical and emotional changes that a pregnant woman may
experience;
♦ explain how pregnancies differ in terms of signs and health conditions;
♦ compute for a pregnant woman’s expected date of delivery; and
♦ explain what to do once pregnancy is confirmed.

Let’s Try This

If you’re pregnant right now, write down three to five major signs that you’ve
experienced due to your condition. If you’re not pregnant, just list three to five
signs that (you think) tell that a woman is pregnant. Write your answers below.
1. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

4
 2. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Now, look for a learning partner. He/She might be a friend, co-learner, co-worker
or family member. Discuss with him/her the signs of pregnancy you’ve listed down.
Does he/she agree that these are indeed signs of pregnancy? Ask him/her to add other
signs to your list. Write them below.
6. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
7. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
8. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Let’s Learn

Aside from the immediate stoppage of menstruation, there are other common
physical and emotional changes that a pregnant woman may experience. These are
listed below.
The Physical Changes
Morning sickness. This is one of the most
common signs of pregnancy. The pregnant woman
feels nauseous and dizzy. This often causes her to
vomit. This kind of ailment is called “morning
sickness” because in most cases, pregnant women
experience it only in the morning. However, some
pregnant women also experience nausea and
vomiting in the afternoon or evening. This sign
usually appears on the sixth week of pregnancy, and
continues until the third month. To ease morning

5
sickness, the pregnant woman should avoid fatty and spicy foods. It will also help if
the living areas (both at home and at work) of the pregnant woman are well-ventilated.

Frequent urination. This sign is normal for

pregnant women. Frequent urination is caused by
the pressure on the bladder brought about by the
continuous growth of the unborn baby.

Changes in the breasts. When pregnant,

marked changes appear in a woman’s breasts.
The areola, or the area around the nipple,
begins to darken (its color changes from pink to
dark brown). The pregnant woman experiences
a sense of tension and a pricking sensation in
them. Her breasts will continue to increase in
size throughout her pregnancy due to the
expanding milk ducts. Pregnant women are

t
areola
advised to keep their breasts clean by washing
with a mild soap and clean water. They must
consult a doctor if their breasts become red or
swollen.

Enlargement of the abdomen. Together with

the foregoing signs and symptoms is a gradual
enlargement of the abdomen (stomach area). Any
enlargement that is out of proportion to the stage of
development of the fetus could also mean a multiple
pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.).

Sleepiness. Pregnant women may feel so

tired that they tend to sleep up to 12 hours a
day.

6
The Emotional Changes
Cravings. Usually the appetite of a
pregnant woman is increased. In some
instances, she may also manifest an
uncontrollable desire for particular foods.
Despite the cravings, pregnant women
should not be tempted to “eat for two”
(overeat). Overeating results to weight gain.
And if the pregnant woman gets overweight,
she may face difficulties during labor. It is
advisable for her to eat a moderate amount
of food because digestion is slower during pregnancy due to a hormone called
progesterone. The progesterone level is higher during pregnancy and this relaxes the
muscles of the intestine. Thus, food is digested more slowly.
Mood Swings. Pregnant women experience
changes in disposition, like being moody and easily
excitable. Mood swings may become more frequent
and erratic, such that the pregnant woman feels happy,
depressed, sick, tired and worried, in turns.

Body Awareness. A pregnant woman may become

very conscious of her (body) figure. She may get worried
about her new shape. Pregnant women who feel that they
are becoming unattractive to their partners are advised to
talk about their fears and worries with them (or with a
trusted friend or relative).

Let’s Review

To know how much you have understood our discussion about the common signs
of pregnancy, please complete the table on page 8. Notice that in the first column are
the three most common pregnancy signs. These are morning sickness, breast changes,
and cravings. In the second column, write down the changes that a pregnant woman
may experience for each given sign. And in the third column, write down your

7
suggestions on how the pregnant woman can cope with the changes involved with each
sign. You may ask help from your female friends and relatives (especially those who
have already gone through pregnancy) in completing the table.

Pregnancy Sign Changes How to Cope With

Experienced the Changes

1. Morning sickness

2. Changes in the
breasts

3. Cravings

Were you able to complete the table? Let’s see how you did. Compare your
answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 38–39.

8
 Let’s Read
At a health center in Barangay Damijan, Celia bumped into her Kumareng Tina
one afternoon.

Kumareng Tina! What Not well, Kumareng Celia, I

a surprise! How are am two months pregnant and
you? this morning sickness I’m
having every day is killing
me. I’m in fact going to the
center to know how I can
cope with this.

What a coincidence! Good for you, Kumare! You’re

I’m two months lucky, but don’t you feel
pregnant, too, on my anything different now that
second child. But so you’re pregnant? You look
far, I’ve never had fine to me.
morning sickness, even
when I had my first
pregnancy.

There is one change I’ve noticed! I now That’s quite a good

sleep a lot. But you know, I wasn’t like combination!
this when I was pregnant with Joy, my
first child. Back then, I simply craved
for papaya and bagoong.

You know, there’s nothing really wrong with

you. Your body is undergoing a lot of
changes due to your pregnancy. But still, I
believe it’s best for you to visit a doctor and
express your concerns.

I hope so. By the way,

I do enjoy eating saba Would you treat me to it if
with fish sauce (patis) I tell you?
right now. What do
you crave for at this
time?
Okay! So, how about
some green apples with
Sure!
vinegar?

9
 Let’s Review

Did you enjoy reading the story? Great! Now it’s time for you to answer the
following questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
1. What are the pregnancy signs that Tina is experiencing?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. What are the pregnancy signs that Celia is experiencing?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. What was Celia’s advice regarding Tina’s condition?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
4. What are the differences between the signs and symptoms that Celia
experienced during her first pregnancy and the signs and symptoms she
experienced during her second?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Have you finished answering the questions? If so, you may now refer to the
Answer Key on page 40 to find out if your answers are correct.

Let’s Think About This

Remember that not every pregnant woman experiences all the common
symptoms at the same time. For example, in the comic strip, Celia and Tina
experienced different symptoms of pregnancy. Pregnancy among women differs in
two main ways:
♦ Here are Mrs.
Santos and Mrs.
Bautista. Mrs.
Santos usually
suffers from
morning sickness
while Mrs. Bautista
experiences
sleepiness. Both Mrs. Santos Mrs. Bautista
women are three
months pregnant. This illustrates that it is possible for one pregnant woman
to experience signs different from those experienced by another pregnant
woman.
10
 ♦ This is Mrs. Garcia. She’s now four months
pregnant with her second child. She suffered
from morning sickness during her first
pregnancy. However, during her second
pregnancy, she just sleeps a lot. This implies
that a woman may experience different signs
and symptoms for each pregnancy.

Mrs. Garcia
Let’s Study and Analyze

Stoppage of menstruation does not absolutely mean pregnancy. There are

instances wherein women experience irregularities in their menstrual periods—either
stoppages or delays—even though they are not pregnant.
How can you know if a woman is really pregnant?
Here is a story about how two women, Kristine and Joanne, found out for sure
that they were pregnant.

One morning, Kristine visited Dr. Montes to ask why she easily gets tired and
frequently urinates. Dr. Montes suspected that Kristine might be pregnant. However,
he still needed to have Kristine undergo a pregnancy test. After he got the results,
Dr. Montes congratulated Kristine for her very first pregnancy. Kristine excitedly
asked her doctor when she would give birth. Dr. Montes asked for Kristine’s last
menstrual date in order to compute for her Expected Due Date (EDD). Kristine was
advised that she was likely to deliver on the 15th of July the next year. Dr. Montes also
advised Kristine to eat foods rich in calcium, iron and folate. He also encouraged her
to drink the prescribed milk for expectant mothers. And finally, Dr. Montes advised
Kristine to return in a month’s time for another checkup.

11
 Joanne has already missed her
menstrual period for a month. She
suspected that she was pregnant. She
planned to see Dr. Montes, the doctor
recommended by a friend, but she never
found time to visit him.
One evening, Joanne saw a TV
commercial about a self-administered
pregnancy test. She found out that she can
actually take this test at home to confirm her condition. The following day, Joanne
bought the pregnancy test kit from the nearest drugstore and adminestered it by
herself at home. With all smiles, Joanne then confirmed her pregnancy to her husband
that evening. They decided that now they knew Joanne was pregnant, she should visit
Dr. Montes so that she could be advised on how to have a healthy pregnancy.

Were the stories of Kristine and Joanne interesting? Notice that both have
answered the question Am I really pregnant? in two different ways.

Let’s Review
To review what you have just learned about confirming pregnancy, take the
following quiz. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. To make this exercise
easier for you, choose your answers from the words or phrases inside the box.

last menstrual period see a doctor drugstores

self-administered pregnancy test menstruation
right foods to eat vitamins to take

1. There are two ways to confirm pregnancy. One may take a

_____________________ or _____________________ for a urine test.
2. The doctor can estimate a pregnant woman’s expected delivery date by
determining the date of the first day of her _________________________.
3. Self-administered pregnancy test kits can be bought in ________________.
4. After confirming pregnancy through a home pregnancy test, it is still best to
see a doctor to get immediate health advice on matters such as
the __________________ and the ____________________.
5. Stoppage of ____________________ does not absolutely confirm
pregnancy.
When you have finished the test, refer to the Answer Key on page 40 to check if
you got the right answers.
12
 Let’s Learn

These days, a woman may take a one-step pregnancy test

for early confirmation of pregnancy. This may be done at
home or at work. This test is very simple. All that needs to
be done is put 3 to 4 drops of urine on a device known as a
“strip.” Pregnancy is easily indicated either through a certain
color-code or a positive (+) sign. Some common brands of
these test kits are: Advisor, Biosign hcg, Evaplan strip,
Evatest, Event Test, Blue Cross and Ovusign. These products
can be bought in drugstores even without a doctor’s prescription.
After confirming pregnancy, the woman is often excited to know when she will
give birth. With the help of the doctor, she will be able to know this in two ways.
These are by (1) calculating the Expected Due Date (EDD), or (2) looking at the
Gestation or Obstetric Table.
1. Calculating the Expected Due Date (EDD). The assumed duration of
pregnancy is usually 280 days (or about 9 months) from the first day of the
last menstrual period. Use the following method to estimate the date of
delivery:
Step 1 — Determine the first day of your last menstrual period.
Example: first day of last NOT the last day of last
menstrual period menstrual period

NOVEMBER 15 16 17 18 19 20
Step 2 — Add 7 days to your answer in STEP 1.
November 15 + 7 = NOVEMBER 22
Step 3 — Count back 3 months from your answer in STEP 2.
November 22

1 month – October 22
2 months – September 22
3 months – August 22
Expected Due Date = AUGUST 22, the following year

13
 2. Looking at the Gestation or Obstetric Table
Step 1 — Locate on the Gestation Table the first day of your last
menstrual period.
Step 2 — Find the date that is located below your answer in STEP 1.
This is the approximate date of delivery.

GESTATION TABLE
1st day of your last
Expected due date menstrual period

JAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JAN
OCT 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NOV
FEB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FEB
NOV 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 DEC
MAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MAR
DEC 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 JAN
APR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 APR
JAN 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 FEB
MAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MAY
FEB 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MAR
JUNE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 JUNE
MAR 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 APR
JUL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JULY
APR 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MAY
AUG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 AUG
MAY 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 JUNE
SEPT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SEPT
JUNE 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 JULY
OCT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 OCT
JULY 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AUG
NOV 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NOV
AUG 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 SEPT
DEC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DEC
SEPT 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 OCT

Notice that the two methods result in the same date. A woman whose last
menstrual cycle began on November 15 will probably give birth on August 22 the
following year.
But remember: the dates computed through these methods are only estimates.
There are cases wherein pregnant women deliver ahead or behind the calculated due
dates.

14
 Let’s Try This

Do you remember Kristine’s story? If you can recall, Dr. Montes advised her that
she would be giving birth on July 15 of the following year. How did Dr. Montes arrive
at this? He just asked Kristine the first day of her last menstrual period and her answer
was October 8 this year. He then checked this date on the Gestation Table and was able
to tell Kristine’s delivery date. Can you see this in the gestation table on the previous
page? I have encircled the dates for you.
But what if the first day of Kristine’s last menstrual period was on September 12?
Can you find Kristine’s expected due date (EDD) by looking at the Gestation Table?
Please write down your answer.
Kristine’s EDD = _______________________________________________
Meanwhile, December 15 was the first day of Joanne’s last menstrual period. Can
you help her know when she would be delivering? Compute for Joanne’s EDD using
method 1, without the Gestation Table.
Step 1: ______________________________________________________
Step 2: ______________________________________________________
Step 3: ______________________________________________________
Joanne’s EDD = ________________________________________________
Finished? Here are the answers that you should have arrived at:
If Kristine’s last menstrual period was dated September 12, she is then expected
to deliver on June 19 of the next year. How did we get this?
Just locate Kristine’s last menstrual date (which is September 12) on the
gestation table. Afterward, locate the date that is positioned just below September 12.
Notice that you’ll arrive at the date—19. Then locate the month (at the left side of the
table) where this 19 falls. You’ll definitely find the month of June. And since
pregnancy normally lasts for 9 months, we can now assume that Kristine will give
birth the following year on June 19.
To compute for Joanne’s expected due date without using a Gestation Table, we
must use the following steps:
Step 1: December 15
(This is the first day of Joanne’s last menstrual period.)
Step 2: December 15 + 7 days = December 22
(We add 7 days to the first day of the last menstrual period.)
Step 3: December 22 – 3 months = September 22
(We count back 3 months from December 22 to get the answer,
September 22.)

15
 Joanne is more or less expected to give birth on September 22 of the following
year. To further check Joanne’s EDD, compare your answer with that found when
using the Gestation Table. Find out if the EDD you have computed for Joanne is the
same with that in the table.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false. If the statement is false,

explain why it is so. Please write your answers in the blanks provided.
1. Frequent urination during pregnancy is caused by the pressure on the bladder
brought about by the continuous growth of the unborn baby.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

2. Pregnant women may have mood swings ranging from being very happy to
being very depressed.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

3. It’s good for a pregnant woman to increase her daily food intake in order to
“eat for two” (i.e., for herself and her growing baby).
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

4. A mother who has been pregnant before may experience different pregnancy
signs during a later pregnancy.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

5. The self-administered pregnancy test is so simple that all you need to do is

put a few drops of blood on a device known as a “strip.”
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

16
 6. In calculating the Expected Due Date of a pregnant woman, you must be able
to know the last day of her last menstrual period.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

7. The Gestation Table can help a pregnant woman determine the exact date she
will deliver her baby.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

8. All pregnant women experience the same pregnancy signs.

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

9. If a pregnant woman gets figure-conscious, it is best for her to share her

fears with her partner, a close friend or a relative.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

10. The increase in a pregnant woman’s breast size is due to the expanding milk ducts.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

If you have finished answering the questions, compare your answers with those in
the Answer Key on pages 40–41.

17
Let’s Remember

♦ There are several signs that can indicate pregnancy even before the woman
consults a doctor. These signs involve both physical and emotional changes
in women. The most common sign is the stoppage of menstruation.
♦ Not all pregnant women experience all the common pregnancy signs at the
same time.
♦ Pregnant women experience and deal with pregnancy signs differently.
♦ A woman can confirm her pregnancy either by using a one-step pregnancy
test kit that is available in drugstores or by consulting a doctor.
♦ It is best for a woman to immediately see a doctor if she believes that she is
pregnant. This way, she will be able to receive further advice and the needed
medications to fully support her health and that of her baby at the soonest
possible time.
♦ A pregnant woman may use two methods to estimate her delivery date. She
can either compute for the expected due date based on the first day of her
last menstrual period or refer to the Gestation Table.

18
 LESSON 2

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

When Pregnant

Pregnancy is a joyous experience that should be shared by the couple. And even
though the pregnant woman will experience many physical and emotional changes,
these lead to a miraculous blessing—a child. Therefore, it is important for her to
know how to make her pregnancy a meaningful and successful one. It is sensible to
accept that parenthood doesn’t begin only after the delivery of the child, but it actually
begins once pregnancy is confirmed. Thus, a healthy lifestyle is necessary to ensure
the health of both the mother and child.
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
♦ discuss the proper nutrition that a woman should have during pregnancy; and
♦ identify exercises and health practices that are good for pregnant women.

Let’s Read

Sandra found out that she was two months pregnant. Even so, she still continued
to smoke. Her friends and family advised her to stop the habit. She did try but to no
avail. Sandra also loves to drink coffee. She drank about two to three cups a day
during her pregnancy. When the big day finally arrived, Sandra was blessed with a 5.0-
pound baby boy. She named him Sander. Sander was physically well until he reached
the age of one. At this point, he began to have asthma attacks.

19
 Let’s Try This

1. Why do you think Sandra continued to smoke even when she was pregnant?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. What was the first sign that showed Sander was not a healthy baby?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think Sander suffered from asthma attacks?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
See if your answers are similar to the ones in the Answer Key on page 41.

Let’s Learn

There’s a common saying, “What you put in is what you put out.” This applies very
well to pregnant women. What a pregnant woman puts in is what she will put out. This
means that the food she eats and the habits she has while pregnant will determine the
kind of baby she will have. In other words, if a pregnant woman wants to have a healthy
baby, then she should have a good diet and good health habits.
Do you know what kinds of foods are healthy for a pregnant woman? Do you also
know what health practices or habits she should follow? Let’s find out.
Let us first look into the special nutrients that every pregnant woman should
include in her diet. These are:

20
♦ Folate. This is a form of the vitamin B complex. This nutrient helps the
formation of red blood cells. A pregnant woman is required to have 50%
additional folate to sustain blood formation and tissue growth for herself and
her baby. Additional folate intake during the first three months of pregnancy
helps prevent birth defects of the brain and/or spinal cord. Folate is found in
liver, yeast, wheat germ, legumes, whole grains, cereals and milk. It is thus
advisable for pregnant women to eat these kinds of food.

Calcium-rich foods

♦ Calcium. This is important for building strong, healthy bones and teeth.
Lack of this nutrient may result in osteoporosis (the thinning and weakening
of bones which can easily lead to fractures). Foods rich in calcium include
milk, kuhol, gamet (seaweed), malunggay, saluyot, carabao’s milk, dilis,
susong pilipit, talangka, salinyasi, cheese, bagoong, dried fish,
galunggong, sardines and evaporated milk.

Iron-rich foods
♦ Iron. Lack of this nutrient may lead to anemia (a condition caused by the
greatly decreased number of red blood cells). Lack of iron makes a person
pale, tired, breathless and weak. Iron is found in the internal organs of
animals (pork or beef liver is the richest source of iron), leafy vegetables,
dried fruits, egg yolk and whole grains. Foods rich in iron specifically

21
 include spaghetti, dried beans, ampalaya leaves, kamote leaves, gabi leaves,
malunggay leaves, peanuts, green and red mongo beans, mustard leaves,
petsay, saluyot, sitao leaves, soybeans, eggs, alimango aligue, clams and
sesame seeds.
Each nutrient contributes to the growth of the unborn baby in different ways:

Folate Iron
promotes promotes the formation

t
the growth of hemoglobin for fetal
t

offetal growth. Hemoglobin is

tissues and the pigment in red blood
organs. cells that carries the
oxygen throughout the
body. Oxygen is needed
for fetal growth. The
fetus actually uses a
greater proportion of
oxygen than the mother
t does in order to grow.
Calcium
promotes the growth of fetal
bones.

Note that these key nutrients do not only benefit the unborn baby. They are also
known to support the mother’s need for extra energy during the course of her
pregnancy.

Folate Iron
t

helps the formation of promotes the

t

protein tissues in the formation of

pregnant mother. A hemoglobin for the
healthy pregnant pregnant mother. To
mother retains prevent anemia, many
nitrogen in her body. doctors believe that a
And nitrogen is pregnant woman
important for the should take iron
formation of the fetus’ supplements.
healthy tissues, strong
bones and teeth t
structure. Calcium
prevents hypertension for
the pregnant mother.

22
 Proper Nutrition. Eating
the right kinds food, or having
the proper nutrition, will
definitely affect the health of
the unborn baby. Therefore, it is
best for the pregnant mother to:
— eat plenty of fruits and
vegetables. Pregnant
women are best
advised to eat citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes and green and leafy
vegetables—preferably raw. These foods are rich in ascorbic acid that helps
the formation of connective tissues and promotes resistance to infection.
— drink adequate fluids. Pregnant women
should drink at least six to eight glasses of
fluid every day. These fluids include water,
fruit juices and milk. Water is known to carry
nutrients to the cells. It also helps regulate
the body temperature. Drinking enough
fluids helps prevent pregnant women from
becoming constipated.
— eat moderate amounts of food
because digestion is slower during
pregnancy. Doctors recommend that pregnant women eat light meals and
light snacks in between to lessen hunger.

Let’s Try This

Among the foods we have mentioned, list down at least three of your favorites
that are rich in each of the nutrients needed by pregnant women. Write your answers in
the table below.
Special Nutrients Required Foo
During Pregnancy
Folate 1.
2.
3.
Calcium 1.
2.
3.
Iron 1.
2.
3.
When you are done, refer to the Answer Key on pages 41–42. Check if the food
items you have listed are correctly classified as rich in folate, calcium or iron.
23
 Let’s Learn

In the previous section, you learned about foods and nutrients that a pregnant
woman should eat or take. Well, do you know that in contrast to these, there are
certain substances that she should abstain or stay away from?
Let’s find out the things that every pregnant woman should avoid.

Avoid Why should it be avoided?

Alcoholic beverages have high caloric

content but are low in nutrients. Pregnant
women who drink too much alcohol may
give birth to babies with mental disorders
and facial abnormalities.

Alcoholic drinks

Pregnant women who smoke face the

risk of having a premature or underweight
baby.

Smoking

When pregnant women take drugs or

medications that are not prescribed by
their doctors, they run the risk of
delivering sick or abnormal babies.

Taking nonprescribed medicines

When pregnant women drink too much

coffee or soft drinks that have high caffeine
content, they may give birth to abnormal or
low-birth-weight babies.

Caffeine and cola

24
 Let’s Try This

Here’s a checklist that aims to make pregnant learners aware of what a healthy-
pregnancy lifestyle is all about. However, if you’re not pregnant (but a supportive
father-to-be, a caring friend or a relative of a pregnant woman), you may take some
time with an expectant mother and guide her in answering the following questions.
Just put a check mark (4) under the appropriate column, depending on your (or the
expectant mother’s) answer to each question. You will not be graded for this test, so
please be honest in answering the questions.

Question Yes
. 1. Do you drink at least six to eight glasses of
liquid every day?
2. Do you do some walking as a form of
exercise?
3. Do you take only doctor-prescribed
medications when you don’t feel well?
4. Are you now wearing comfortable and light
clothing?
5. Are you now using low-heeled shoes?
6. Do you wash your genital area after urinating
and moving your bowels?
7. Do you brush your teeth after every meal?
8. Do you take time to REALLY rest if needed?
9. Do you communicate with your doctor when
the need arises (e.g., when you don’t feel
well)?
10. Do you take care of your nipples by washing
them with mild soap and water?

Thank you for being really honest!

Note for pregnant learners:
If most of your answers are yes, that’s great! This means that you’ve been
conscious of your health and that you are improving your chances of delivering a
healthy child.
Note for nonpregnant learners:
Well, were you able to get more yes answers from the expectant mother you’ve
guided? If so, then that’s great too!
Note for all:
You don’t really have to feel bad about your no answers. You can still turn each
no into a yes once you learn about the health care tips that will guide you on how to
have a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.
25
 Let’s Think About This

“The best gift a mother can give her baby is a good start in life.” This is the reason
why after the doctors have congratulated their pregnant patients, they would
immediately tell them what to take, what to avoid and what to do. These doctors are
actually taking part in giving a good start to the unborn children’s lives. But it doesn’t
end there. The doctors also advise continuous monthly checkups to make sure that the
pregnant mother and her unborn baby will stay healthy. Before we discuss some of the
health-related tips that doctors often give their patients, do the following activity first.
Suggest at least four (4) health tips for pregnant women. Then identify the benefit/s
of each health tip. Please write your answers in the spaces provided. You may ask a
friend, relative or anyone who has already gone through pregnancy to help you.
Health Tip 1:
______________________________________________________________
Benefit/s:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Health Tip 2:
______________________________________________________________
Benefit/s:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Health Tip 3:
______________________________________________________________
Benefit/s:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

26
Health Tip 4:
______________________________________________________________
Benefit/s:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Find out if your answers are similar to what will be discussed next.

Let’s Try This

♦ Exercise is good even for pregnant women. However, pregnant women

should not over-exert themselves. They may do outdoor exercises,
specifically walking. But before engaging in any activity, they should ask
their doctors first.
On the following pages are some prenatal exercises that may strengthen
the abdominal muscles and relieve back stress. Why don’t you try them even
if you’re not pregnant to see how they are done? While practicing each
exercise, think about how they might help a pregnant woman and her baby to
be healthy during pregnancy.

27
 Pelvic Tilt
Sit on a chair with your feet
resting flat on the floor. Rock
your pelvis forward. Then pull in
your stomach. Rock back on your
hips. Repeat several times.

Cat Stretch
Kneel on your hands and
knees with your back relaxed. Do
not arch your back. Inhale and
relax. As you exhale, pull your
buttocks under and forward until
you feel your back straighten at
the waist and your abdomen
tighten. Hold for a count of 5,
then exhale and relax. Do this
exercise 4 to 5 times.

Now, here are some exercises that increase mobility.

Hip Circling
With your feet apart and knees slightly bent, place
hands on hips. Slowly circle your hips from the waist in
one direction for 5 to 10 times. Then repeat the other
way.

28
 Twisting
Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor
and knees apart. Lift your arms to chest level. Twist
your body to the right as far as you can, then to the
left. Repeat several times.

Since the legs carry a lot of extra weight during pregnancy, here are some
exercises that may improve circulation in the legs.

Leg Strengthening
Stand with your back to a wall and your feet
apart. Slowly bend your legs until you feel a pull on
your thigh muscles. Hold for a count of 20, then
return to a standing position. Repeat this 5 times.

Wall Push-Away
Stand a couple of feet away from a wall,
with your hands in front of your shoulders.
Place hands on the wall and lean forward.
Bend your elbows as your body leans into the
wall. Keep heels flat on the floor. Slowly push
away from the wall and straighten. Do this on
a count of 20 times. Repeat 10 times.

29
To prevent varicose veins and swollen ankles and legs do the following exercises:
Up-and-Down
Sit on the floor. Support your arms by placing the palms of your hands flat on the
floor at your back. Move one foot up and down from the ankle, without pointing the
toes. Repeat with the other foot. Perform 10 to 20 times per foot, twice a day.
Rotations
Make a circling movement with each foot 10 times one way, and again 10 times
the other way. Keep toes relaxed. Repeat twice a day.

Up-and-Down

Rotations

Well, how did you do with the exercises? Were you able to do them all
successfully? So, why do you think these activities are useful for pregnant women?
Exercise further prepares women for labor and childbirth. However, there are two
important things that pregnant women must consider before doing some exercises:
♦ Consult a doctor first to know if it’s safe to do some exercises and if so,
what kind of exercises you can do.
♦ It is best to have another person (husband, friend or relative) around while
exercising. This will allow the person to help in case of accidents.

30
 Let’s Learn

Below are some useful health tips that pregnant women should follow.
♦ Working pregnant women should take advantage of their rest periods.
Pregnant women should lie down as often as possible. This will help them
keep the energy they will need to continue doing their daily tasks.
♦ During pregnancy, the enlarged uterus
sometimes interferes with the normal
digestion of food—resulting in either
irregular bowel movement or constipation.
Pregnant women can overcome this
problem by eating fiber-rich foods such as
oatmeal, green vegetables, prunes, oranges
and apples.

♦ Pregnant women should never wear tight

brassieres. These will only make nursing
more difficult once the baby is born. It is
best to use an uplift type of bra that pulls
the breasts up and out but doesn’t press on
the nipples. The nipples should be washed
every day with mild soap and water.

♦ It is important to brush the teeth after every meal. Pregnant women are prone
to tooth decay which may be brought about by lack of calcium. While
pregnant, a woman needs lots of calcium for the baby growing inside her.
This may lessen her own calcium supply. Thus, doctors give special calcium-
rich vitamins to their pregnant patients just to ensure strong and healthy
teeth and bones for her and the baby.
♦ Since pregnant women are prone to several vaginal infections, she should
always keep herself clean. The genital area should be washed thoroughly with
mild soap and clean water, especially after urinating or moving the bowels.

31
♦ Generally, pregnant women should wear loose
clothing. There should be no or as little
pressure as possible upon the waist. Pregnant
women should not wear high-heeled shoes,
for these may cause varicose veins and
swelling of the ankles and feet. The extra
weight carried by a pregnant woman also
makes it difficult for her to keep her balance
in high-heeled shoes.
♦ Pregnant women should only take medications that the doctor prescribed for
them. They are also advised to take their vitamins regularly as prescribed.
♦ Pregnant women must
inform or see their doctors
if they begin to feel unwell.
Some of the danger signs
include fever, blurring of
vision, vaginal bleeding,
continuous headache and
abdominal pains.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Encircle the letter of the best answer that would complete the statement.
1. It is important for pregnant women to take care of their kidneys. The most
convenient and economical way to do this is to drink at least ______ glasses
of liquid daily.
a. 4 to 5 c. 6 to 8
b. 1 to 3 d. none of the above
2. Pregnant women should eat foods rich in calcium. This special nutrient
makes the unborn baby’s __________strong and healthy.
a. bones c. eyes
b. hair d. none of the above
3. In taking care of the nipples, the pregnant woman must __________.
a. wash them with alcohol c. wash them with mild soap and water
b. wear tight brassieres d. put perfume on them

32
 4. The best type of shoes for pregnant women are __________.
a. high-heeled shoes c. colorful shoes
b. wedge-soled shoes d. low-heeled shoes
5. It is best for the pregnant woman to have __________ around while she is
doing some exercises, so that this person can help her in case of accidents.
a. someone c. a relative
b. a friend d. any of the above
6. During pregnancy, fiber-rich foods like fruits and cereals will keep pregnant
women from being __________.
a. constipated c. dizzy
b. overweight d. sleepy
7. If a pregnant woman continuously suffers from fever and headache, it would
be best for her to _____________________.
a. take paracetamol c. wait for the pain to pass
b. drink lots of water d. see a doctor
8. To lessen hunger, the pregnant woman must __________.
a. “eat for two” c. eat light snacks in between meals
b. drink soft drinks d. sleep more
9. Working pregnant women should take advantage of their rest periods. This
means that they should _________________.
a. eat more during rest periods c. rest by lying down as often as
possible
b. drink more water d. all of the above
during rest periods
10. There are two ways to find out the expected delivery date of a pregnant
woman. One is by calculating the Expected Due Date (EDD) and the other is
by looking at the __________.
a. calendar c. prenatal book
b. Gestation Table d. none of the above
If you’re finished, please compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on
pages 42–43.

33
 Let’s Remember

♦ A pregnant woman must eat the right kinds of food. Proper nutrition plays a
great role in the success of a woman’s pregnancy.
♦ Pregnant women must know how to take care of themselves physically as
they go through this exciting but demanding stage of womanhood.
♦ If a pregnant woman is not feeling well, she must immediately seek medical
attention.
♦ Pregnant women must avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, taking non-
prescribed medicines, and drinking too much coffee or soft drinks.
♦ Exercising when pregnant is good because it further prepares the woman for
labor and childbirth.
You have almost reached the end of this module. Congratulations! You have been
a patient and diligent learner. Did you like the module so far? Did you learn a lot from
it? To help you remember its main points, you can read the module summary on the
next page. Then, as a final activity, answer the post-test that follows. Good luck!

34
 Let’s Sum Up

To help you remember the important points discussed in this module, here is a
summary:
♦ Women can tell if they are pregnant through several signs. These signs
involve several physical and emotional changes. Aside from the stoppage of
menstruation, other physical changes that a pregnant woman may experience
include sleepiness, morning sickness, frequent urination, increase in breast
size, darkening of the areola and enlargement of the abdomen. Emotionally,
the pregnant woman may experience cravings, mood swings and being
figure-conscious. However, not all pregnant women experience these signs.
Each pregnant woman deals with the changes brought about by pregnancy in
her own distinct way.
♦ There are two possible ways to confirm pregnancy. A woman may consult a
doctor or she may take the self-administered one-step pregnancy test. Even
if she confirms pregnancy through a do-it-at-home pregnancy kit, she should
still consult a doctor afterward to get medical advice.
♦ There are two ways to find out the expected delivery date of a pregnant
woman. Upon knowing the first day of her last menstrual period, she may
compute for her Expected Due Date (EDD). She may also simply look at the
Gestation Table.
♦ To assure a healthy pregnancy, the pregnant woman should eat the right kinds
of food, specifically those rich in folate, iron and calcium. Aside from this,
she should be able to prepare herself physically for labor and childbirth
through proper exercise and good hygiene. To further ensure the unborn
child’s health, the pregnant mother must avoid smoking and drinking alcohol,
coffee and soft drinks. She should also avoid taking nonprescribed medicines.
♦ If a pregnant woman doesn’t feel well, she should immediately see a doctor.

35
 What Have You Learned?

To see how well you have understood this module, complete the following
statements. Take note of the words in bold print. They are meant to guide you with
your answers. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
1. A pregnant woman may not necessarily experience all the signs of
pregnancy. This means that
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
2. Once a woman confirms that she’s pregnant, the first thing she must do is
consult a doctor so that she can get ____________________________
_________________________________________________________.
3. The pregnant mother must eat foods rich in calcium because
_________________________________________________________.
4. If a pregnant woman doesn’t feel well, she must consult a doctor so she can
get ______________________________________________________.
5. If a pregnant woman wishes to exercise, she must first visit a doctor and ask
_________________________________________________________.
6. The Expected Due Date can be computed by determining the pregnant
woman’s __________________________________________________.
7. Pregnant women deal with the changes brought about by their pregnancies in
their own distinct ways. This means that
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
8. The pregnant mother must avoid smoking because
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
9. It is advisable for pregnant women to wear low-heeled shoes because
__________________________________________________.
10. Digestion is slower during pregnancy. This is due to a hormone called
___________________.
How did you find the test? Were you able to complete the sentences? You may
now compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 44.
Congratulations! You are done with this module. Would you like to learn more
about pregnancy? If yes, read the second part of this module, entitled Healthy
Pregnancy Part 2: The Unborn Baby and Childbirth.

36
Answer Key

A. Let’s See What You Already Know (pages 2–3)

1. The correct answer is (a). A pregnant woman should be careful in
choosing her food. Her food intake is a great factor that will affect
the health and growth of her unborn baby.
(b) is incorrect. Taking nonprescribed medicines may negatively
affect the health of both the pregnant mother and her unborn child.
(c) is incorrect. Doing rigorous exercises may easily tire
the pregnant mother, which may affect the health of her unborn
baby.
(d) is incorrect. Pregnant women don’t normally stay in bed during
the final three months of pregnancy unless it is advised by their
doctor.
2. The correct answer is (d). Irritability, weight gain and morning
sickness or vomiting are some of the common signs of pregnancy.
3. The correct answer is (d). It is important to have both the pregnant
mother and her unborn baby protected at all times. Therefore, their
health conditions must be monitored regularly.
Both (a) and (b) are incorrect. A doctor will have to see her
pregnant patient regularly to guarantee her health and that of her
unborn child. Giving advice on medicine intake and physical
exercise is just part of the checkup.
(c) is incorrect. A pregnant woman should not only visit her
doctor because she was advised to. The pregnant woman must
consider her visits part of her responsibilities in ensuring a
healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
4. The correct answer is (d). Fluid discharge from the vagina,
abdominal pains and severe headaches are emergency signs
(during pregnancy) that need immediate medical attention. If a
pregnant woman experiences any of these, she should see her
doctor right away.
5. The correct answer is (a). A pregnant woman urinates frequently
due to the pressure on her bladder caused by the continuous
growth of her unborn child.
Both (b) and (c) are incorrect. Frequent urination during pregnancy
is neither caused by the woman’s vitamin intake nor her weight
gain.

37
 6. The correct answer is (c). A doctor can estimate the pregnant
woman’s date of delivery by determining the first day of her last
menstrual period. Therefore, (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect.
7. The correct answer is (c). Every pregnant woman should include milk in
her diet. Milk is rich in special nutrients needed in making the pregnant
mother and her unborn child healthy.
(a) and (b) are incorrect. These foods are not considered nutritious.
They may only cause the pregnant woman to gain unwanted weight.
(d) is incorrect. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol because this
can damage the growth of the unborn child.
8. The correct answer is (b). Calcium is a special nutrient needed during
pregnancy because it makes the unborn baby’s bones healthy.
(a) and (c) are incorrect. Folate and iron are the other two special
nutrients needed during pregnancy. However, they do not necessarily
make the unborn baby’s bones healthy.
9. The correct answer is (d). A pregnant woman will definitely experience
changes in her bowel movements, nipples and moods.
10. The correct answer is (b). Folate, calcium and iron are the three
special nutrients needed by pregnant women. These nutrients make both
the pregnant mother and her unborn child healthy. There may be other
vitamins and minerals that a pregnant woman needs. However,
folate, calcium and iron are the three most important nutrients needed
during pregnancy.

B. Lesson 1
Let’s Review (pages 7–8)

Pregnancy Sign Changes How to Cope With

Experienced the Changes

1. Morning sickness Morning sickness is a Pregnant women should

pregnancy sign that makes avoid spicy and fatty
some pregnant women feel foods to ease morning
dizzy and nauseous. sickness. Doctors would
Therefore, there is a evenrecommend that
tendency for them to vomit pregnant women eat
when they experience frequent light meals
morning sickness. because nausea in
pregnancy increases
when the stomach is
empty as well as when it
is full. It is also best for
pregnant

38
 Pregnancy Sign Changes How to Cope With
Experienced the Changes

women who suffer from

morning sickness to
keep their living areas
well-ventilated. This will
allow them to breathe
enough air to avoid
dizziness.
2. Changes in the During pregnancy, the size The pregnant woman
breasts of a woman’s breasts should keep her
increases due to her breasts clean with mild
expanding milk ducts. soap and clean water.
Aside from this, the It is also best for her to
pregnant woman will feel see a doctor if she
some pricking sensations experiences redness
later on. or swelling of her
breasts to avoid more
serious problems. She
should never wear tight
brassieres to avoid
having breast abscess
(a collection of pus in
the breast of a
lactating mother).

3. Cravings When a pregnant woman Even if it is accepted for

craves, her desire for a a pregnant woman to
particular food increases crave more food, it is
to some extent. still important for her
not to “eat for two”or
overeat. Aside from
avoiding gaining too
much weight during
pregnancy, eating small
amounts of food at a
time is also advised by
doctors. In addition,
digestion is slower
during pregnancy.
Therefore, there is a
need for pregnant
women to discipline
themselves when
eating.

39
Let’s Review (page 10)
1. Tina experiences daily morning sickness and craves for saba with fish
sauce (patis).
2. Celia experiences sleepiness and craves for green apples with vinegar.
3. Celia advised Tina to visit a doctor to whom she may address her
concerns about her pregnancy.
4. Celia did not experience morning sickness even during the first time
she got pregnant with Joy, her first child. However, when she got
pregnant the second time, she realized that she sleeps more. Also, while
she craved for papaya and bagoong during her first pregnancy, she
craves for green apples with vinegar during her second one.
Let’s Review (page 12)
1. self-administered pregnancy test; see a doctor
2. last menstrual period
3. drugstores
4. right foods to eat; vitamins to take
5. menstruation
Let’s See What You Have Learned (pages 16–17)
1. T
2. T
3. F—“Eating for two” (overeating) will only make the pregnant mother
gain more weight. If the pregnant mother gets overweight, she may have
difficulties during labor.
4. T
5. F—If a woman decides to take the self-administered pregnancy test,
she needs three to four drops of urine (not blood) on a device known as
a “strip.”
6. F—In finding out the Expected Due Date, the pregnant woman must be
able to tell the date of the first day (not the last day) of her last
menstrual period.
7. F—The Gestation Table is used only to estimate when the pregnant
mother will deliver her child. Due to uncontrollable circumstances,
childbirth may happen even before or after the estimated schedule
found in the Gestation Table.

40
 8. F—A pregnant woman may experience several pregnancy signs which
are not similar to the pregnancy signs experienced by another pregnant
woman.
9. T
10. T

C. Lesson 2
Let’s Try This (page 20)
1. There are two possible reasons why Sandra continued to smoke
even though she knew she was already pregnant. One is that although she
knew smoking was bad for her and her baby, its negative effects may not
have been that clear to her. Secondly, Sandra have actually been aware
of the negative effects of smoking but just could not stop the habit due
to her addiction to nicotine, which is a very active ingredient of cigarette.
2. The first sign that showed Sander was not a healthy baby was his low
birth weight of 5.0 lbs.
3. Sander had likely developed asthma because of his mother’s (Sandra)
smoking during pregnancy. Sandra may have not been aware that
cigarette smoke contains toxins and that these got into her blood and
seeped into the placenta. These toxins decreased blood flow and
reduced the oxygen supply to Sander when he was still inside his
mother’s womb. When Sander was finally born, the toxic effect of his
mother’s smoking affected his lungs and increased his risk of
developing asthma.
Let’s Try This (page 23)
List of foods rich in folate, calcium, and iron
Special Nutrients Required Foo
During Pregnancy
Folate liver
yeast
wheat germ
legumes
whole grains
cereals
milk
Calcium milk
kuhol
gamet (seawe
malunggay
saluyot
carabao’s mil
dilis
susong pilipit

41
 Calcium talangka
salinyasi
cheese
bagoongdried
galunggong
sardines
evaporated m
alimango
aligue
clams
sesame seed
Iron pork or beef l
dried fruits
egg yolk
whole grains
spaghetti
dried beans
ampalaya lea
kamote leave
gabi leaves
peanuts
green and red
mustard leave
petsay
saluyot
sitao leaves
soybeans

Let’s See What You Have Learned (pages 32–33)

1. The correct answer is (c). Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water
every day will make the kidneys healthy. It will also help prevent
constipation.
2. The correct answer is (a). Calcium is a special nutrient that makes fetal
bones healthy.
Both (b) and (c) are incorrect. Calcium does not develop or improve
the hair and eyes.
3. The correct answer is (c). The nipples can be easily taken care of by
washing them every day with mild soap and water.
(a) is incorrect. Washing the nipples with alcohol might only dry the
nipples. Also alcohol may only cause the nipples to crack and swell.
(b) is incorrect. Wearing tight brassieres will only result to nursing
problems later on. In fact, it can lead to irritation.
(d) is incorrect. Putting perfume on the nipples does not make them
healthy. In fact, it can lead to irritation.
4. The correct answer is (d). Low-heeled shoes will allow a pregnant
woman to balance the extra weight she carries in front.

42
 (a) is incorrect. High-heeled shoes may actually cause varicose veins,
swelling of the feet and ankles, and may make it difficult for a
pregnant woman to keep her balance.
(b) and (c) are incorrect. They do not contribute at all to the woman’s
needs in her time of pregnancy.
5. The correct answer is (d). The pregnant woman’s husband, a friend or
relative can stay with her while she exercises. What’s important is that
she has someone to look after her when she exercises so that this
person can easily help her in cases of accidents.
6. The correct answer is (a). When pregnant women are constipated,
doctors usually advise them to eat fiber-rich foods.
(b) is incorrect. Eating fiber-rich foods alone will not prevent one from
becoming overweight.
Both (c) and (d) are incorrect. Eating fiber-rich foods will not
prevent a person from becoming dizzy and sleepy.
7. The correct answer is (d). It’s always best for the pregnant woman to
see her doctor first, especially when she doesn’t feel well.
Both (a) and (c) are incorrect. These practices might just make things
worse for the pregnant woman.
(b) is incorrect. Drinking lots of water may help. But it doesn’t serve as
a remedy for fever and headache.
8. The correct answer is (c). Eating light snacks in between meals will
ease or lessen a pregnant woman’s hunger.
Both (a) and (b) are incorrect. These practices will just make the
pregnant woman overweight.
(d) is incorrect. Sleeping more will not lessen the feeling of hunger.
9. The correct answer is (c). Pregnant women tend to get easily tired
because of their condition. Therefore it is best for them to rest
whenever the opportunity arises.
10. The correct answer is (b). The Gestation Table is another method of
calculating a pregnant woman’s EDD.

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D. What Have You Learned? (page 36)
Here are some answers. You may have different answers which may also
be correct, so long as the same ideas or meanings are maintained. Show your
answers to your Instructional Manager or Facilitator for additional feedback.
1. ...a pregnant woman may experience only one (out of all the signs
presented in this module) pregnancy sign.
2. ...healthy advice concerning her pregnancy.
3. ...this will avoid hypertension in the course of her pregnancy.
4. ...immediate medical attention.
5. ...what exercise is safe for her to do.
6. ...first day of her last menstrual period.
7. ...pregnant women experience different pregnancy signs. Therefore,
they have different ways of dealing with them.
8. ...this habit negatively affects not just the growth of the unborn baby but
also triggers future respiratory problems for both mother and child.
9. ...these will balance the extra weight that the pregnant mother is carrying
in front.
10. ...progesterone.

Glossary

Anemia Deficiency or sickness in which the person lacks red blood corpuscles
Areola Area around the nipple
Bladder Membranous bag in the abdominal area that contains urine
Cell The simplest biological unit
Childbirth Process of giving birth
Conception The meeting of a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg which marks the
formation of a new life inside the woman’s womb
Connective tissues Fibrous tissues connecting and supporting the body’s organs
Constipation Irregular and difficult bowel movement
Digestion The process in which food that is eaten is broken down into a form
that can be absorbed in the stomach
Expected Due Date (EDD) Date based on the first day of the woman’s last
menstruation. It is an approximation of a pregnant woman’s delivery date

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Fetal growth This refers to the growth of the unborn baby
Fetus The unborn baby
Genitals The external reproductive organs
Gestation Table (obstetric table) Gives the approximate date of delivery of a
pregnant woman. It uses as basis the first day of the last menstruation
Labor Process of delivering the baby or giving birth; physiologic mechanism by
which the products of conception are expelled from the uterus
Progesterone A female hormone which causes the womb to prepare for
pregnancy

References

Bliss, J.B. and C. Lerch. Maternity Nursing, 3rd ed. Saint Louis: The C.V. Mosby
Company, 1978.
Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Care Booklet courtesy of WYETH.
____________ 1999. Philippine Health Guide. MediMedia Asia Pte. Ltd.
Pre-Natal Book, courtesy of ANMUM MILK for pregnant women.
Internet Sources:
Rosenthal, M. A Normal Labor and Delivery. Lycos Health with WebMD.
<http://webmd.lycos.com/content/dmk/dmk article 5963041>. November
30, 2000, date accessed.
Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. Lycos Health with WebMD. <http://
webmd.lycos.com/content/dmk/dmk article 6462906>. November 30,
2000, date accessed.
Brown, J. The Right Diet for Pregnancy. Lycos Health with WebMD. <http://
webmd.lycos.com/content/dmk/dmk article 3961319>. November 30,
2000, date accessed.
Herman, B. Cigarette Smoke and Pregnancy. Lycos Health with WebMD.
<http://webmd.lycos.com/content/dmk/dmk article 3961088>. November
30, 2000, date accessed.

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