Pregnancy - health risks
If you are trying to get pregnant, you should try to follow healthy habits. You should stick to these behaviors from the time you are trying to get pregnant all the way through your pregnancy. Do not smoke tobacco or use illegal drugs, stop drinking alcohol, and limit caffeine and coffee.
Talk to your health care provider about any medicines you may be taking to see if they can affect your unborn baby. Eat a well-balanced diet and take supplemental vitamins with at least 400 mcg of folic acid (also known as folate or vitamin B9) a day.
If you have any chronic medical problems (such as high blood pressure , kidney problems, or diabetes ), talk to your provider before trying to get pregnant.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Seeing a prenatal provider before trying to get pregnant or early in the pregnancy can help prevent, or detect and control health risks to the mother and unborn baby during pregnancy.
Men need to be careful, too. Smoking and alcohol may cause problems with the unborn baby. Smoking, alcohol, and marijuana use have also been shown to lower sperm counts.
References
Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al. Preconceptional counseling. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics . 23rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2010:chap 7.
Gregory KD, Niebyl JR, Johnson TRB. Preconception and prenatal care. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, et al, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 6.
Jack BW, Atrash H, Coonrod DV, et al. The clinical content of preconception care: an overview and preparation of this supplement. Am J Obstet Gynecol . 2008;199:S266-S279. PMID: 19081421 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19081421 .
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Ultrasound in pregnancy - illustration
The ultrasound has become a standard procedure used during pregnancy. It can demonstrate fetal growth and can detect increasing numbers of conditions in the fetus including meningomyelocele, congenital heart disease, kidney abnormalities, hydrocephalus, anencephaly, club feet, and other deformities. Ultrasound does not produce ionizing radiation and is considered a very safe procedure for both the mother and the fetus.
Ultrasound in pregnancy
illustration
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Tobacco health risks - illustration
In general, chronic exposure to nicotine may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, elevated blood pressure, fetal illnesses and death, and delayed wound healing.
Tobacco health risks
illustration
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Vitamin B9 source - illustration
Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant or who are pregnant often require additional supplementation of folic acid. Adequate folic acid is important for pregnant women because it has been shown to prevent some kinds of birth defects, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid to help prevent these kinds of serious birth defects.
Vitamin B9 source
illustration
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Ultrasound in pregnancy - illustration
The ultrasound has become a standard procedure used during pregnancy. It can demonstrate fetal growth and can detect increasing numbers of conditions in the fetus including meningomyelocele, congenital heart disease, kidney abnormalities, hydrocephalus, anencephaly, club feet, and other deformities. Ultrasound does not produce ionizing radiation and is considered a very safe procedure for both the mother and the fetus.
Ultrasound in pregnancy
illustration
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Tobacco health risks - illustration
In general, chronic exposure to nicotine may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, elevated blood pressure, fetal illnesses and death, and delayed wound healing.
Tobacco health risks
illustration
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Vitamin B9 source - illustration
Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant or who are pregnant often require additional supplementation of folic acid. Adequate folic acid is important for pregnant women because it has been shown to prevent some kinds of birth defects, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid to help prevent these kinds of serious birth defects.
Vitamin B9 source
illustration
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Nutrition
(Alt. Medicine)
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Epilepsy
(In-Depth)
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Preeclampsia
(Alt. Medicine)
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Vitamins
(In-Depth)
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Weight control and diet
(In-Depth)
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Exercise
(In-Depth)
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Smoking
(In-Depth)
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Stress
(In-Depth)
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Menopause
(Alt. Medicine)
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Alcohol use disorders
(In-Depth)
- Gestational diabetes - self-care
- Prenatal care in your second trimester
- Health risks of alcohol use
- Prenatal care in your first trimester
- When your baby is stillborn
- Preeclampsia - self-care
- What to include in your birth plan
- Steps to take before you get pregnant
- Risks of underage drinking
- Managing pain during labor
Review Date: 9/26/2015
Reviewed By: Daniel N. Sacks MD, FACOG, Obstetrics & Gynecology in private practice, West Palm Beach, FL. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.