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