Planning to Have A Baby?

Taking care of your baby doesn’t start the day they are born. It starts long before.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET PREGNANT:

Most women don’t know they are pregnant until they miss their period. The baby is often 4-5 weeks gestation at that time and many of the vital organs are already in critical stages of development. Alcohol and other drugs (even over-the-counter remedies) can cause problems for your unborn child. It is wise to avoid alcohol and other unnecessary medications if you are trying to become pregnant. One thing that you should NOT avoid is folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin that plays an important role in the development of baby’s brain and spinal cord. Deficiencies in folic acid are known to cause neural tube defects (also known as spina bifida). Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. The spinal cord is exposed at birth and these children do not have normal function of their bladder, bowels, or legs. Many are confined to wheelchairs. This birth defect is largely preventable by taking 400mcg of folic acid per day. All women of child-bearing age are encouraged to take 400mcg of folic acid daily, either as part of a multivitamin or by eating cereals or grains with added folic acid.

I’M PREGNANT-WHAT NOW?

Once you find out you are pregnant, you need contact your obstetrician to start prenatal care. Prenatal care is EXTREMELY important for the health of you and your baby. Your doctor will prescribe prenatal vitamins to be taken throughout your pregnancy, and will send screening tests for infections that may compromise the health of your baby if untreated. In addition, your doctor will perform at least one complete ultrasound of your baby to screen for birth defects or problems with the baby’s growth. All expectant moms are screened routinely for the development of diabetes and the development of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Both of these disorders are often asymptomatic and can be very dangerous for the health of mom and baby if untreated. Last, your obstetrician can help you to prepare for the birth of your baby. They will have recommendations about prenatal classes, can discuss options for pain control during labor, and can give you important information about the benefits of breastfeeding your baby. Prenatal Care is the most important gift you can give your unborn child.

Fran Lynch, MD FAAP

Neonatatologist