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Having a Healthy Baby - Things to Avoid
Expectant parents want to do everything they can to ensure that their baby is born healthy. In addition to regular prenatal visits, proper nutrition and moderate exercise, there are some things that pregnant women should avoid since they can cause serious harm to the developing baby.
SMOKING Quitting smoking can help you improve your health and protect your baby so..... DO IT FOR BOTH OF YOU!!! Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk for:
Babies born premature or with low birth weight are much more likely to have medical problems, such as colds and ear infections, and die during the first year of life. The SOONER you quit, the better it is for you and your baby. You Are Breathing For Your Baby So It Is Also Important to Avoid SECONDHAND SMOKE!! Breathing in secondhand smoke can have the same harmful effects on the baby as the mother was smoking so make your home smoke-free and ask people not to smoke around you!! If you need help to quit smoking call the New York State Smokers' Quitline 1-866-697-8487 or MISN 1-800-453-4666 for a list of local cessation programs.
DRINKING ALCOHOL NO AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY!!! Even the SMALLEST amount of alcohol that you drink during pregnancy can enter the baby's bloodstream and cause permanent damage to the brain, heart and other developing organs. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) include a range of physical, behavior and cognitive birth defects that a child can have when the mother drinks alcohol at any point during the pregnancy. FASD is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. Some of the birth defects related to FASD are:
There is no cure for FASD so to prevent the possibility of such birth defects, pregnant women should not drink ANY alcohol. FASD is 100% Preventable Using alcohol during pregnancy also increases your risk for MISCARRIAGE and STILL BIRTH. You should also avoid alcohol if you are BREASTFEEDING!! For more information on FASD you can visit the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) website, or the Center for Disease Control website. PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS Pregnant women should avoid taking any over the counter medications as much as possible. This includes products such as:
If you are taking any prescription medications and are pregnant or trying to get pregnant you should talk to your doctor. If your are pregnant, or think that you might be pregnant, consult with your health care provider prior to taking any prescription or over the counter medications!!! Your healthcare provider will know which medications are safe for the developing baby. Many medications can pass into the breastmilk so be sure to speak with your healthcare provider or lactation consultant if you plan to breastfeed. DRUGS Drug use during pregnancy places both the mother and baby at risk. Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin and methamphetimine are linked to many complications and birth defects such as:
If you, or someone you know, wants help to stop using drugs you can contact MISN at 1-800-453-4666. For a list of treatment providers in your area, visit the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services website. INFECTIONS/ILLNESSES While you are pregnant, your baby is developing very fast. Infections or illnesses that make Mom feel a little sick can cause a lot of harm to the baby. During the first three months, the beginning of all parts of the body are in place - eyes, ears, fingers, toes and all those parts inside! If Mom gets sick, there are some infections can harm the baby's developing body. The following are some examples: RUEBELLA (the German Measels) can cause damage to the eyes, ears and heart of the baby if the mother is infected while she is pregnant. GET VACCINATED BEFORE YOU ARE PREGNANT!! STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections) - most have come risk of being passed to the baby during pregnancy or delivery and can cause serious damage or death. It is important to let you health care provider know if you have, or think you might have an STI. Infections such as herpes or genital warts it is often safest to have a cesarean section in order to reduce the risk of passing the infection to the baby during delivery. HIV/AIDS can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. There are medications that can reduce the risk of passing the virus to the baby so speak with your doctor if have tested positive. HIV speads very fast in infants and toddlers, usually leading to death before the age of 2. Antiviral medications and Cesarean delivery are recommended to expectant mothers who are HIV+. HIV can also be passed to the infant through the breastmilk if the mother is infected. If you are HIV+ speak with your health care provider about your options. If you are feeling under ill, contact your health care provider to discuss your symptoms as soon as possible!!!
CAT LITTER Pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter boxes due to the risk for TOXOPLASMOSIS, a bacteria infection that can be in cat feces and can cause a serious harm to the developing baby. If expectant mothers are exposed to the bacteria, the baby can be infacted, causing EYE and BRAIN DAMAGE. So...... GET SOMEONE ELSE TO CHANGE THE CAT LITTER BOX!!!
STRESS Keeping your stress at a moderate level during pregnancy is important to having a healthy baby. Expectant parents may be worried about the changes that the new baby will bring to their lives but managing stress is important for MOM and BABY! High Levels of Stress During Pregnancy Can Cause Low Birth Weight and Premature Labor! Here are some things you can do to relax when you are feeling overwhelmed:
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