What do we mean by "healthy pregnancy"? A pregnancy that lasts
the full nine months, A pregnancy that results in a healthy baby (or
babies) weighing at least five and a half pounds who has no birth
defects, A pregnancy in which the mother feels well the whole nine
months other than the normal discomforts such as morning sickness.
What outcomes do we worry about for the baby? For the baby, the most common problem is low birth weight. A baby who is born weighing less than five and a half pounds is considered low birth weight. Low birth weight is the number one risk factor for death in the first year of life and for life-long health problems. It can be caused by being born too early, by growing too slowly, or some of both. Smoking by the mother is one of the main causes of poor growth, because it cuts down on the baby's supply of oxygen and food. Poor nutrition, birth defects, genetic conditions, mother's health problems such as high blood pressure, hazards in the environment including lead or tobacco smoke, and multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) may also cause low birth weight. In many cases, the exact cause of low birth weight is not known.
What outcomes do we worry about for the baby? For the baby, the most common problem is low birth weight. A baby who is born weighing less than five and a half pounds is considered low birth weight. Low birth weight is the number one risk factor for death in the first year of life and for life-long health problems. It can be caused by being born too early, by growing too slowly, or some of both. Smoking by the mother is one of the main causes of poor growth, because it cuts down on the baby's supply of oxygen and food. Poor nutrition, birth defects, genetic conditions, mother's health problems such as high blood pressure, hazards in the environment including lead or tobacco smoke, and multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) may also cause low birth weight. In many cases, the exact cause of low birth weight is not known.
What should pregnant women do?
It’s important to eat well-balanced meals and take prenatal
vitamins during your pregnancy so that your developing baby can get all
the essential nutrients it needs to grow strong. You should consume
about 300 additional calories a day during this time.
What can a woman do to help her have a healthy pregnancy? The key
to a healthy pregnancy is planning it in the first place. When
pregnancies are planned, the mother-to-be can be in the best health
possible and be ready for all the challenges of having a healthy baby
and raising a family. Most people don't think about birth control as a
way to have a healthy baby, but it plays a key role by helping women
plan the best time to have a baby. When a woman is planning a pregnancy,
she should be in the best health possible and should follow these
guidelines: Take a multivitamin every day that has 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of
folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent serious birth
defects of the heart and brain. But it only helps if the mother takes it
before pregnancy and in the first three months of pregnancy. Stop
smoking. Get others at home and at work to stop smoking too to cut down
on second-hand smoke. Stop drinking alcohol and/or using illegal drugs.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one of the most common birth defects. Every
case is preventable by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Have a
pre-pregnancy health check-up with a doctor, midwife, or nurse
practitioner. Women with chronic health problems such as diabetes or
high blood pressure and women who take medicines or herbs especially
need pre-pregnancy care. Talk to your health care provider about the
possible risk of lead poisoning. If lead gets into your body, it could
harm you and your unborn baby.
What can a woman do after she gets pregnant to have a healthy pregnancy?
Get prenatal care early. Go to all your regularly scheduled doctor
appointments. Eat a well-balanced diet. Continue to take a multivitamin
to be sure that mother and baby both get the nutrients they need. Gain
enough weight, but not too much. Sign up for WIC, if you qualify. WIC
provides extra food for pregnant and breastfeeding women and for infants
and children. It also provides health education and support during
pregnancy and breastfeeding. Get help with causes of stress, including
family violence or work and school problems. There are sources of help
in every community: schools, clinics, community centers, churches, and
other organizations. Take a childbirth class to learn more about having a
healthy birth and a healthy baby. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you
believe you might be exposed to lead from:
paint chips or dust in apartments or houses built before 1978, working
in a battery factory, re-finishing old furniture, or other jobs and
hobbies working with lead, eating certain materials such as clay or
dirt, some spices, foods and medicines from other countries, and using
chipped or broken dishes to store food. Always wash your hands before
making meals or eating.
Pregnancy is a time of life when a women needs to rely on help from
others. Your husband or partner, other family members or neighbors can:
help around the house, help you prepare healthy foods, help you get to
doctor appointments. Teens may need extra help sticking to good health
habits.
Source: ForePlan Clinic
