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