| hink Ahead for a healthy baby: Take 400
micrograms of B vitamin folic acid every day before and during early pregnancy
to reduce the risk of certain birth defects of the brain and spine. You
can start right now, since it's a good idea for all women to take daily
folic acid. You should eat a healthy diet, including foods rich in folic
acid, and take a multivitamin every day. This is the only sure way to get
all the folic acid you need. |
| ave a medical checkup before conceiving. During
this pre-pregnancy visit, your health care provider will evaluate your health,
identify any healthy risks, and guide you in making lifestyle changes, if
necessary, before pregnancy. |
| f you're not immune to chickenpox and rubella,
check with your health care provider about getting vaccinated before you
conceive. These illnesses can cause birth defects if a woman gets them while
she's pregnant. |
| ow's the time to achieve your ideal weight. If
you're overweight when you become pregnant, you're more likely to develop
high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy. If you're underweight,
you're more likely to have a low-birthweight baby. Talk to your health care
provider about getting to your best weight. |
| now your family history. If you've had problem
pregnancies or birth defects in your family, you should talk about it with
your health care provider. If the problem is an inherited or genetic disorder,
you might want to speak with a genetic counselor. |
| dopt a healthy lifestyle, get plenty of exercise
and reduce stress. Don't drink, smoke or use drugs. Ask your health care
provider if the prescription or over-the-counter drugs you use are safe
to take during pregnancy and in the pre-pregnancy period. |
| ave medical problems like diabetes,
epilepsy and high blood pressure treated. Because these conditions can affect
your pregnancy, it's a good idea to have them well under control before
you get pregnant. |
| at a balanced diet. Healthy eating
before pregnancy will help ensure that you get the nutrients needed by you
and your baby when you become pregnant. |
| void exposure to toxic substances
and chemicals. Such exposure at home or work by either you or your partner
can make it more difficult to become pregnant and can harm the developing
baby. |
| on't eat undercooked meat or handle
cat litter. They can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis, which can
seriously harm a developing fetus. So avoid them even before you get pregnant. |
