Healthy MOM
A healthy start
by Martha Reilly, M.D.
Ensuring that your baby boy or girl has a healthy start to life
begins with good prenatal care. Prenatal care refers to the care
you receive for yourself and your baby during your entire
pregnancy. Following a prenatal care plan can positively impact
both you and your baby's health by minimizing pregnancy
complications, decreasing the likelihood of birth defects and
easing postpartum recovery.
The first step in promoting your growing baby's good health is
to establish healthy habits for yourself, before you become
pregnant: a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful
substances such as tobacco, alcohol and certain medicines and
foods. Women who are planning to become pregnant should talk with a
doctor for advice on lifestyle changes and healthy practices that
will contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
Once you are pregnant, getting good nutrition, plenty of
exercise, sleep and avoiding stress are good guidelines to follow.
Babies born to mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three
times more likely to have a low birthweight and five times more
likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care, according
to the March of Dimes. Babies that weigh less than 5 pounds, 8
ounces at birth are considered low birthweight and are at greater
risk of serious health problems and disabilities such as mental
retardation, learning problems, cerebral palsy, bleeding in the
brain, digestive problems and vision or hearing loss. One in 12
babies is born with low birthweight, according to the March of
Dimes. These infants' survival rate is also lower than babies of
normal weight (ranging from about 5 ½ to 9 pounds). Research
suggests that babies with low birthweight may be at risk for health
problems as adults, too, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and
heart disease.
Giving your baby an early foundation for good health is one of
the greatest gifts. If you're planning to start a family, begin
with a pre-conception checkup. Your doctor can help screen for
certain health problems, infections, make sure your immunizations
are up to date, as well as discuss your nutrition and lifestyle
habits, medications and certain foods and beverages to avoid during
pregnancy.
Your doctor will establish a regular schedule of check-ups and
various screenings. It's important to follow this plan, and comply
with your doctor's instructions for your medical care and personal
health habits. Specific lifestyle choices an expectant mother can
make to reduce the chances of having a low birthweight baby include
avoiding tobacco and alcohol, getting adequate rest and nutrition,
managing stress and taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid
(0.4 mg). It's also important to work with your doctor to manage
any chronic conditions that can affect your pregnancy and your
baby's growth, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid
disease.
To learn more, visit McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center click on
"Health Resources" and "Interactive Tools," and take the Birth
Defects Quiz, Smoking and Pregnancy Quiz, Healthy Pregnancy Quiz,
and more. Or, call 541-741-4649 to make an appointment to tour the
birthing center.
Remember that this information is not intended to replace the
advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help
equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with
your physician that will benefit your health.
Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on
Women's Health, www.womenshealth.gov, March
of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.com,
National Institutes of Health, www.nlm.nih.gov.
Healthy MOM™ is brought to you by McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center .
Meet Healthy MOM™ - Martha Reilly, M.D., is
Chief of Women and Children's Medicine for the Medical Staff at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center.
Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, she practices at the
Center for Women's Health. After earning her medical degree at the
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, she completed her
internship and residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in
Pennsylvania.