Church Partnership Newsletter October 2014 | Page 4

Preconception Health & Prenatal Care
Preconception Health
Women should start taking care of themselves
before attempting to get pregnant. This is called
preconception health. It means knowing how
health conditions and risk factors could affect their
health and their unborn baby if they were to
become pregnant. For example, some foods,
habits, and medicines can harm babies, even
before conception. Some health problems can also
affect pregnancy.
Birth defects of the brain and spine happen in the
very early stages of pregnancy, often before a
woman knows she is pregnant. By the time she
founds out, it may be
too late to prevent
those birth defects.
Half of all pregnancies
in the United States
are not planned. For
these reasons, it is
recommended that all
women who are able
to get pregnant receive
400 to 800 mcg of folic
acid every day. A woman can introduce folic acid
into her diet by taking a multi-vitamin, or by
consuming foods such as dark leafy greens,
asparagus, beans and lentils.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is the health care women get while
they are pregnant to help themselves and baby
stay healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get
prenatal care are three times more likely to have a
low birth weight and five times more likely to die
than those mothers who do get care.
Prenatal care consists of routine tests. Some tests
are suggested for all women, such as blood work to
check for anemia, blood type, HIV, and other risk

factors. Other tests may be offered based on age,
personal or family health history, ethnic
background, or the results of a routine test.
Doctors can spot health problems early when they
see mothers regularly. This allows doctors to treat
them early, which can cure many problems and
prevent others. Doctors can also talk to pregnant
women about things they can do to give their
unborn babies a healthy start to life.
Women in every state can get help to pay for
medical care, information, advice, and other
important services during
pregnancy. This prenatal
care will help have a
healthy baby.
Eating and Exercise
Eating a healthy variety of
foods and drinking plenty
of fluids, especially water,
can help women stay
healthy during pregnancy.
Essential vitamins and minerals help protect both
mom and baby. For instance, pregnant women
should make sure they have enough iron in their
diet. Low iron can lead to anemia, which is linked
to preterm birth and low birth weight.
Unless a doctor advises against it, pregnant women
should try to get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week. It's
best to spread workouts throughout the week. If a
woman has worked out regularly before
pregnancy, she may be able to maintain her activity
level as long as her health doesn't change.
Speaking with a physician can help learn more
about how to have a fit pregnancy and gain a
healthy amount of weight.

Resource: http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/prenatal-care.html