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Prenatal Care - Effective Way to reduce infants risk for complications | 31st May, 2017

Good prenatal care is essential for you and your baby. Now that you know you are pregnant, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. You can boost your chances of having a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby by following a few simple guidelines.

 
Get early prenatal care
 
Call your healthcare provider right away and schedule your first prenatal visit. During that visit you will be screened for certain conditions that could lead to complications.
 
If you have not yet chosen a provider, get started now. Finding the right person, whether you are looking for a doctor or a midwife it can take a while. In the meantime, let your current caregiver know if you are taking medication or have any medical concerns.
 
Watch what you eat
 
Now that you are eating for two, you may be surprised to learn that you only need about 300 additional calories per day. Make sure you get plenty of protein. You now need 70 grams a day compared to 45 grams before you got pregnant. And while your calcium requirement remains the same, it is more important than ever that you meet it, which is a challenge for many women.
 
You will want to stay clear off undercooked eggs and meat, unpasteurized dairy products and juices, raw seafood, and cold deli meats to avoid ingesting bacteria that could harm your baby. Also avoid certain fish that may contain high levels of mercury or other contaminants.
 
Take prenatal vitamins
 
Most prenatal supplements contain more folic acid and iron than you will find in a standard multivitamin. It is important to get enough folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy. Folic acid greatly reduces your babys risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
 
Ideally, you should start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, up your daily dose to 600 mcg.
 
You also need to make sure you are getting enough iron. Your iron requirement increases significantly during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters.
 
But more is not necessarily better — taking too much of certain things can actually be harmful. Avoid megadoses of any vitamin, and do not take any additional supplements or herbal preparations without your caregivers concernt okay.
 
Eliminate environmental dangers
 
Some jobs can be hazardous to you and your developing baby. If you are routinely exposed to chemicals, heavy metals (like lead or mercury), certain biologic agents, or radiation, you will need to make some changes as soon as possible.
 
Keep in mind that some cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, and lead in drinking water from old pipes can also be harmful. Talk to your doctor or midwife about what your daily routine involves, so you can come up with ways to avoid or eliminate hazards in your home and workplace.
 
See your dentist
 
Do not forget about your oral health: Brush, floss, and get regular dental care. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can make you more susceptible to gum disease. Increased progesterone and estrogen levels can cause the gums to react differently to the bacteria in plaque, resulting in swollen, bleeding, tender gums (gingivitis). So see your dentist for a checkup and cleaning now if you have not had a visit in the last six months.
 
Take care of your emotional health
 
Many women feel like they are on an emotional roller coaster at one time or another during pregnancy. But if your mood swings are extreme or interfering with your daily life, you may be suffering from depression, a relatively common condition.
 
If you have been feeling low for more than two weeks and nothing seems to lift your spirits, or if you are feeling particularly anxious — share your feelings with your caregiver so you can get a referral for professional help.
 
Also let your caregiver know if you are in an abusive relationship. Pregnancy can cause stress in any relationship, and it is a common trigger of domestic violence, which puts your health and your baby at risk.
 
Always remember, your health first!
 
Mawuena Workartey / Ghanahospitals.org

     
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