10 Risk Factors that Every Pregnant Woman Should be Aware
of
by Criss
White
zone3
Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child,
some which are beyond your control and others that are within your
control. Here are ten of the most common pregnancy risk factors that can
be controlled or influenced:
- Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for you, but bad for your baby
as well. Smoking during pregnancy reduces the amount of oxygen that
the baby receives and increases the risk of miscarriage, bleeding,
and morning sickness. Chemicals inhaled while smoking may lead to
other health problems with the baby. Reduced birth weight, premature
birth, increased risk of SIDS, and stillbirth are other possible
consequences. Pregnant women should also avoid second hand smoke.
- Alcohol - Drinking can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, including
symptoms like low birth weight, medical problems, and behavior
abnormalities. As soon as you know you are pregnant, stop drinking.
For more detailed information on problems that can be caused by
alcohol, visit http://www.nofas.org/.
- Caffeine - There are many conflicting studies about caffeine and
pregnancy and some believe that caffeine is not as harmful as it was
once thought to be. Nevertheless, the FDA warns against caffeine
consumption during pregnancy and suggests quitting or reducing
consumption at the very least. Caffeine has been shown to affect fetal
heart rates and awake time (fetuses grow when sleeping). Decaffeinated
coffee can also be harmful since producers often add additional
chemicals to remove the caffeine. Caffeine can also increase risk of
stretch marks. Suddenly quitting coffee intake can cause headaches; so
most experts recommend gradually reducing the amount consumed.
- Drugs and Herbal Remedies - Always be careful about drugs or herbal
remedies that are not prescribed by a doctor. These substances may
affect the development of your unborn child.
- Nutrition - Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child,
particularly getting enough folic acid. Lack of folic acid can cause
birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms of this B vitamin is
suggested (about ten times more if you've already had a child with
neural tube birth defects) starting one month before pregnant and
throughout the entire pregnancy. Leafy vegetables, orange juice, and
beans are some natural sources of folic acid. Many stores sell
vitamins with folic acid.
- Exercise - Moderate exercise is helpful as it improves the mother's
mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However,
over-exertion can be dangerous. Most experts recommend reducing your
exercise intensity during pregnancy. Activities like walking, swimming,
and yoga are popular for pregnant women.
- Prenatal Care - Regular doctor visits are important to your baby's
development. The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. Some
side effects may be completely normal, whereas other may not. Regular
monitoring by a professional will help ensure that your baby will be
born healthy.
- Multiple sex partners - Multiple sex partners can increase risk of
STD's, which in turn may lead to birth and pregnancy complications, like
low birth weight or premature birth.
- Exposure to chemicals - During pregnancy, reduce exposure to
unnatural chemicals, particularly pesticides in food. Many people
now eat organic produce, which is grown without chemicals. The
simplest precaution to take before consuming vegetables or fruits is
to wash them thoroughly. Also, removing the outer surface of
vegetables can be helpful since most pesticides will rest on the
outside of the vegetable or fruit.
- Other factors - Many other factors can affect fetal development,
including heart disease, the mother's age (before 15 years and after
35 years is riskier), asthma, excessive stress or depression,
diseases, and bleeding. Consult your physician if you are affected
by any of these conditions.
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