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