Cigarette smoking during pregnancy can result in low birth-weight babies. It has been associated with the following
pregnancy complications:
- Infertility
- Miscarriages
- Tubal pregnancies
- Infant mortality
- Childhood morbidity.
In addition, cigarette smoking may cause long-term learning disabilities. If you smoke, you should try to quit. Secondary smoke may also harm a mother and her developing baby. It is a good idea to ask people around you to stop smoking during your pregnancy and after the baby is born.
Drink extra fluids (water is best) throughout pregnancy to help your body keep up with the increases in your blood volume. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water, fruit juice, or milk each day. A good way to know you're drinking enough fluid is when your urine looks like almost-clear water or is very light yellow.
Eat healthy to get the nutrients you and your unborn baby need. Your meals should include the five basic food groups. Each day you should get the following: 6 to 11 servings of grain products, 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, 2 to 4 servings of fruits, 4 to 6 servings of milk and milk products, and 3 to 4 servings of meat and protein foods. Foods low in fat and high in fiber are important to a healthy diet.
Take 400 micrograms of
folic acid daily, both before pregnancy and during the first few months of pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine. All women who could possibly become pregnant should take
folic acid every day. It is also important to eat a healthy diet with fortified foods (such as enriched grain products, including cereals, rice, breads, and pastas) and foods with natural sources of folate (such as orange juice, green leafy vegetables, beans, peanuts, broccoli, asparagus, peas, and lentils).
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