10 Risk Factors that Every Pregnant Woman Should be Aware of
Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy
child, some which are beyond your control and others that are
within your control. Here are ten of the most common pregnancy
risk factors that can be controlled or influenced:
- Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for you, but bad for your
baby as well. Smoking during pregnancy reduces the amount of
oxygen that the baby receives and increases the risk of
miscarriage, bleeding, and morning sickness. Chemicals inhaled
while smoking may lead to other health problems with the baby.
Reduced birth weight, premature birth, increased risk of SIDS,
and stillbirth are other possible consequences. Pregnant women
should also avoid second hand smoke.
- Alcohol - Drinking can cause fetal alcohol syndrome,
including symptoms like low birth weight, medical problems, and
behavior abnormalities. As soon as you know you are pregnant,
stop drinking. For more detailed information on problems that
can be caused by alcohol, visit http://www.nofas.org.
- Caffeine - There are many conflicting studies about
caffeine and pregnancy and some believe that caffeine is not as
harmful as it was once thought to be. Nevertheless, the FDA
warns against caffeine consumption during pregnancy and suggests
quitting or reducing consumption at the very least. Caffeine has
been shown to affect fetal heart rates and awake time (fetuses
grow when sleeping). Decaffeinated coffee can also be harmful
since producers often add additional chemicals to remove the
caffeine. Caffeine can also increase risk of stretch marks.
Suddenly quitting coffee intake can cause headaches; so most
experts recommend gradually reducing the amount consumed.
- Drugs and Herbal Remedies - Always be careful about drugs
or herbal remedies that are not prescribed by a doctor. These
substances may affect the development of your unborn child.
- Nutrition - Good nutrition is crucial to a developing
child, particularly getting enough folic acid. Lack of folic
acid can cause birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms of
this B vitamin is suggested (about ten times more if you've
already had a child with neural tube birth defects) starting one
month before pregnant and throughout the entire pregnancy. Leafy
vegetables, orange juice, and beans are some natural sources of
folic acid. Many stores sell vitamins with folic acid.
- Exercise - Moderate exercise is helpful as it improves the
mother's mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus.
However, over-exertion can be dangerous. Most experts recommend
reducing your exercise intensity during pregnancy. Activities
like walking, swimming, and yoga are popular for pregnant women.
- Prenatal Care - Regular doctor visits are important to your
baby's development. The body undergoes many changes during
pregnancy. Some side effects may be completely normal, whereas
other may not. Regular monitoring by a professional will help
ensure that your baby will be born healthy.
- Multiple sex partners - Multiple sex partners can increase
risk of STD's, which in turn may lead to birth and pregnancy
complications, like low birth weight or premature birth.
- Exposure to chemicals - During pregnancy, reduce exposure
to unnatural chemicals, particularly pesticides in food. Many
people now eat organic produce, which is grown without
chemicals. The simplest precaution to take before consuming
vegetables or fruits is to wash them thoroughly. Also, removing
the outer surface of vegetables can be helpful since most
pesticides will rest on the outside of the vegetable or fruit.
- Other factors - Many other factors can affect fetal
development, including heart disease, the mother's age (before
15 years and after 35 years is riskier), asthma, excessive
stress or depression, diseases, and bleeding. Consult your
physician if you are affected by any of these conditions.
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