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But I turned out okay…. Start Strong

Sometimes moms do dangerous efore you even know Do what you have to do to things while they’re pregnant. B you’re pregnant, get the rest you need. Occasionally they get lucky, monumental changes have You’re sleeping for two now! and things turn out okay. begun to happen. The first Let go of outside obligations; Often times though- they don’t. months of development are turn off the screens; take when your baby is most short naps if you need. It Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your vulnerable to damage, so will make you feel better risk of miscarriage and your baby’s risk the decisions that you make during this now, and research indicates it could even of birth defects, premature birth, low time can have life-long effects on your pay off with a quicker labor. birth weight, and later learning baby’s health. disabilities. Smoking TRIPLES your Stay active. Physical activity can help to baby’s chance of dying of Sudden Here are some choices that you can make smooth out some of the mood and Infant Death Syndrome. Babies of hormonal changes, help you sleep better, smokers are more likely to grow up to right now that will help your baby be healthy in the future. and helps keep weight gain on track. If you become smokers themselves. weren’t active before you were pregnant,

Start your prenatal visits as soon as talk with your provider first. Don’t drink. There is no amount of alcohol that is safe at any stage of possible. You’ll have a thorough exam and Get a flu shot. Pregnancy changes your pregnancy. Alcohol can cause your some tests and screenings. This will help immune system, and if you get the flu now baby to have abnormal facial features assess the health of you and your baby, and and problems with the brain or spinal help you both to get off to a good start. you’re more likely to experience cord. Drinking can lead to miscarriage, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic recommends that complications, including preterm labor. stillbirth, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum your first visit happen when you’re 8 - 10 The shot can even protect your baby from Disorders (FASDS). FASDS can cause weeks pregnant. getting the flu after s/he is born. poor coordination, poor memory, attention difficulties, speech and Take prenatal vitamins, even before you’re Check in with your dentist. Pregnancy language delays, low IQs, poor pregnant. They can help prevent common changes your whole body, including your reasoning and judgment, vision and and serious birth defects. Prenatal vitamins teeth and gums. A dental check-up can help hearing problems, and problems with are cheap insurance if there’s even an keep your mouth, and the rest of you, the heart, kidneys, and bones. outside chance that you might be pregnant. healthy. For more information about oral (Are you a sexually active, menstruating health and pregnancy, check out the North Are you struggling with an addiction to female? Then you might be pregnant.) Shore Health Care Foundation’s “Oral Health alcohol or nicotine? It’s never too late Task Force” https://bit.ly/2sK7I6f to do your baby some good. Talk to your provider. There is help available. Eat the rainbow - and we’re not talking about Skittles. Veggies, fruits, and whole Ask for help when you need it. Your body is working hard, so take it easy when you can. Don’t sauna. Or sit in the hot tub. grains are full of the nutrition your body needs. After all, you’re building an entire Be kind to yourself. You’re going through Research indicates that overheating some huge changes, even if you can’t see like this in the first trimester can person (and an entire life-support system for that person) - from scratch! You need the them yet. For more information on your double your risk of miscarriage. first trimester, visit: https://bit.ly/2SmdPIC very best building materials.

Don’t eat undercooked meat or eggs.

They can cause illnesses that lead to Drink plenty of water. While you may feel Taking care of ourselves can birth defects or miscarriage. like you have to pee constantly, being well- take a lot of support. We’re hydrated can help with constipation, here to help! Ask a nurse or Don’t clean the cat’s litter box. You hemorrhoids, and even pre-term labor. provider if you’d like to talk. could contract a parasite that causes miscarriage or stillbirth. “Low Birth Weight ”

Can mean BIG problems for tiny babies.

irth weight impacts more than just how much a baby  Diabetes B weighs. Low birthweight can be a red flag for  Heart Disease serious health issues, both at the time of birth and as the  High Blood Pressure baby grows.  Obesity  Metabolic Syndrome (having high blood pressure, A baby is designated as being “low birthweight” if s/he diabetes, and heart disease all at the same time.) weighs less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth. The most  Intellectual and developmental disabilities- issues with common causes are premature birth or “fetal growth the way that the brain works that can cause them to restriction.” Some babies can be small, but healthy. Many have problems with physical development, learning, low birthweight babies, however, have trouble eating and communicating, being able to take care of him/herself, gaining weight, and they can’t fight off infections. or difficulty in getting along well with other people. Typically, they don’t have enough body fat and so have difficulty staying warm. Risk factors and ways to reduce them. Some things make Some other common struggles that these babies face are: it more likely that your baby will be born at a low birth weight.  Breathing problems, such as “infant respiratory distress  Preterm labor - the chances of this happening can be syndrome” (a respiratory disease caused by being born reduced by getting good prenatal care and not smoking. prematurely and having immature lungs)  Chronic health conditionssuch as high blood pressure,  Neurologic problems, such as intraventricular diabetes, or heart, lung, or kidney problems. Work hemorrhage (bleeding inside the brain) closely with your doctor to help avoid complications.  Gastrointestinal problems, such as necrotizing  Some medications. If you take medication, talk to your enterocolitis (a serious disease of the intestine common doctor to make sure that it’s safe during pregnancy. in premature babies)  Infections. Some infections (such as chicken pox,  Retinopathy of prematurity. The retina (the back part rubella, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.) can slow of the eyeball) doesn’t fully develop, and left untreated, your baby’s growth while you’re pregnant. Make sure this can quickly lead to blindness. your vaccinations are up-to-date before you become  Jaundice is caused by the baby’s liver not working pregnant, avoid infectious agents whenever possible, and properly. If severe or untreated, it can lead to brain contact your health care provider right away if you do damage. come into contact with one.  Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)  Not gaining enough weight. If you have, or ever have  Low oxygen levels at birth had, an eating disorder, talk with your provider.

Almost all low birthweight babies have to go to the Together you can plan to make sure that you and your Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until they are bigger. baby are getting enough of the right kinds of food. Survival is greatly impacted by birthweight; the smaller the  Smoking, drinking, using street drugs, or misusing baby, the lower the chances that they’ll make it. prescription drugs. All of these can slow your baby’s growth and increase the risk of both premature birth and Low birthweights can also affect babies later in their lives. birth defects. They may be more likely to develop: For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.org .