Did you know that around 10%-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage? And according to the Mayo Clinic, the actual number could be even more because many miscarriages occur even before people realize they are pregnant. Yet another study has revealed that as many as 1-in-4 pregnancies result in pregnancy loss.
To prevent miscarriage, prenatal care is crucial to ensure good health and development of the fetus growing in your body. Expecting mothers can significantly reduce potential risks by taking appropriate precautions and making informed choices.
In this article, we will discuss the essential measures that expectant mothers must follow to protect their baby’s health throughout the pregnancy.
1. Nutritional Considerations
According to UNICEF, a poor diet lacking essential nutrients like iodine, iron, folate, calcium, and zinc during pregnancy can pose severe risks. These include pre-eclampsia, hemorrhage, anemia, and even the death of expecting mothers. It can also lead to low birth weight, stillbirth, and stunted growth for babies. UNICEF states that around 20 million newborns are affected by low birth every year.
Expecting mothers must consume various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources like poultry or fish. They must also pay special attention to folic acid and iron intake. The former prevents neural tube defects, and the latter helps carry oxygen to the infant. Vitamins and calcium are also essential for healthier overall baby growth.
Practice strict food safety during pregnancy to avoid any health risks. Avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, and high-mercury fish. The U.S. FDA suggests that expecting mothers consume at least 8 ounces of seafood per week as it provides omega-3, omega-6, iron, iodine, and choline. These nutrients support the spinal cord and the development of the baby’s immunity.
2. Lifestyle Considerations
Recent data suggests that while staying active during pregnancy is recommended, 9 out of 10 pregnant women don’t exercise at all. Remember that working out during pregnancy helps your body get in shape for labor and delivery and makes it easier to shed postpartum weight gain. Some safe exercises for expecting mothers are brisk walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga.
Another study established that around 42% of pregnant women experience poor sleep quality during the pregnancy. Some of the reasons cited for this are depression, stress, and fatigue, among others. It’s crucial for expecting mothers to get sufficient sleep and practice stress management techniques like meditation.
Yet another vital lifestyle consideration during pregnancy is to abstain from substances like alcohol and nicotine. These substances can cause congenital disabilities and developmental problems in newborns.
Also, avoid prescription medicines and harmful products like chemical hair relaxers, household cleaners, and more. According to TorHoerman Law, chemical hair relaxers have been associated with various hormone-sensitive cancers.
Apart from hair straightener cancer, studies have also shown that these products have endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can affect how your hormones work. EDCs have been linked to premature birth, fertility issues, and fibroids. Therefore, using chemical hair straighteners during pregnancy is highly discouraged.
3. Environmental Precautions
According to the National Institute of Health, pregnancy causes significant immunological and psychological changes that enable the mother and fetus to communicate. But these changes also make the expecting mothers more susceptible to various infections, leading to a myriad of pregnancy complications.
These infections include Toxoplasmosis, a fatal parasitic infection caused by cat feces. If you are a cat parent, avoid cat litter contact and wear gloves when gardening. Then there’s the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus, which can cause severe congenital disabilities. Avoid traveling to places known for mosquito infestations.
4. Medical Care and Vaccinations
This is not a precaution per se, but it’s crucial for expecting mothers to stay on top of their prenatal checkups and monitor their and their baby’s health throughout the pregnancy. This will help your OB-GYN track your baby’s development, detect any issues early on, and provide personalized guidance.
Apart from regular prenatal checkups, expecting mothers must also research mandatory vaccines to protect themselves and their babies from preventable issues. Enquire about flu and TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccines. The former can be administered in any trimester, but the latter should be given in the third trimester to prevent whooping cough.
Genetic consultation is another crucial consideration for women with specific risk factors like a family history of genetic disorders. Through genetic counseling, expecting mothers can assess the risk of passing on specific conditions and make decisive choices regarding testing and management options.
Your baby depends on you to be able to make it into the world without any health complications. By following the instructions in this article, you can ensure that the baby has the best chance of a healthy start in life.
