Eat Nutritiously and Monitor Weight Gain: The recommended daily allowances for all nutrients increase during pregnancy. You should be eating 3 balanced meals a day, and nutritious snacks in between meals. Recommended average weight gain is 25 to 35 pounds.

Engage in Safe Exercise: Never overdo exercise. Always consult a doctor prior to starting an exercise program. Generally, exercising for shorter intervals and decreasing the intensity of exercise as pregnancy progresses are good strategies.

DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL, SMOKE, OR TAKE OTHER POTENTIALLY HARMFUL DRUGS: Abstain from the use of these harmful substances throughout the entire pregnancy.  Early pregnancy is not the only time that these dangerous substances can be harmful.

Always check with your doctor prior to taking any medications: Always check first, it can be hard at times to pass on taking medications for a cold, cough, or headache, but always check with your doctor prior to taking any over the counter (or prescribed) medications.

Reduce Stress as much as Possible: Most everyone today has a busy and stressful life, and a pregnant mother is usually in the highest stress areas.  The changes of your body, and the stresses that brings, it is hard to relax sometimes, but try to.  Friend and family support is also very helpful to reduce stress.

Get excellent prenatal care! Always be comfortable with your chosen midwife or obstetrician.  You need to be able to relate your fears and needs easily.  Look into all of the options that you have, do not just choose someone because you "heard that they were great", you need to feel comfortable.  Always go to each appointment.  They may seem a bit repetitious at first, but they are monitoring growth, and weight gain, and it is important for the health of you and your baby.