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If you aren't pregnant yet, but plan to be
soon, there are ways to help get your body ready for pregnancy. Being healthy,
eating well, getting enough sleep and exercise, and avoiding stress can give the
fetus the best start and makes pregnancy easier on you.
While pregnant, a woman's lifestyle -- including any
food she eats or medication she takes -- affects the development of the fetus.
Early prenatal care is important, as most of the internal organs are developed
during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Prenatal care should begin as soon as possible.
Clinics or classes can help with questions about the best foods to eat, ideal
weight gain, good exercise, etc.
Alcohol, smoking, caffeine and drugs can all affect the health of a
pregnant woman and the fetus. Drinking can cause birth defects, mental
retardation, and low birth weight. This includes beer and wine as well as hard
liquor such as rum or gin
Smoking can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth and
low birth weight, as well as more problems at and after birth. Children who grow
up around smokers are sick more often than children of
non-smokers.
Health
professionals generally advise pregnant women to try to eliminate or cut back on
caffeine -- found in coffee, tea, chocolate, colas and coffee liqueurs --
tobacco and liquor during pregnancy.
Most people know that street drugs like cocaine can seriously harm a
fetus. But many people don't know that prescription drugs and many
non-prescription medications can also affect the fetus. If you are pregnant, or
trying to get pregnant, ask a doctor or pharmacist about the possible effects of
a drug -- even something as simple as a pain killer or antacid -- before you
take it.
For more
information, you can call a local Planned Parenthood organization or Public
Health Unit
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