Prenatal Care Essential for Having Healthy Babies!

Hello, Everyone!

     This week's health tip post involves proper prenatal care; that is, steps an expecting mom can take to insure that she has a heathy, happy baby!  First, of course, is maintaining a healthy diet, even prior to conception.  I know that this isn't always easy, since most of us may not know that we're even pregnant until at least a month or more into the pregnancy.  But I urge you, if you're even remotely considering having a child, please eat properly, if not for your sake then at least for the sake of your unborn child! And yes, I realize that this may be difficult, too, if there is severe morning sickness involved.  But Dr. John Challis, professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto, Canada, states that "Even a modest restriction around the time of conception could have far-reaching consequences" (Poor nutrition associated with premature births, April 29, 2003).
     Another way, after conception, to keep your unborn baby healthy is to take a prenatal vitamin supplement that contains both folic acid and docosahexanoic acid or DHA.  Now, I'm sure that many of you know the importance of folic acid in preventing major birth defects such as anencephaly (improper brain development) and spina bifida (improper spine development) by 50 to 70% (Folic Acid, July 7, 2010),  but some of you may not be aware of the importance or actions of DHA, which has been added to most prenatal vitamins in recent years.  Researchers have found that infants who were born to mothers with higher levels of DHA at birth possessed advanced levels of attention spans well into their second year and, during their first six months of life, these babies were two months ahead of those born to mothers who had lower DHA levels (Boyles, 2004).
     For more information, please refer to the following:

Boyles, S. (July 16, 2004). Pregnant? Omega-3 essential for baby’s brain; advanced attention span in babies whose mothers eat more essential fats. WebMD Health News. Retrieved August 30, 2010 from http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20040716/pregnant-omega-3-essential-for-babys-brain

Folic acid. (July 7, 2010). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html

Poor nutrition associated with premature births. (April 29, 2003). Decision News Media. Retrieved August 29, 2010 from  http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Poor-nutrition-associated-with-premature- births

So, eat right, take prenatal vitamin supplements with folic acid and DHA, and have healthy, happy babies!  As always, I hope that you have enjoyed this week's post and that it has given you some Food For Thought!!  Until next time...!!!
Vicky