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Home › Articles › General Health › An Even Dozen

An Even Dozen

Tips from the Surgeon General for a Safer, Healthier Mom and Baby

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The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona, M.P.H., has released an even dozen of tips for mothers, mothers-to-be and dads as part of the "The Year of the Healthy Child" agenda.

I've declared this "The Year of the Healthy Child" for the Office of the Surgeon General," says Dr. Carmona. "We're looking at ways to keep children healthy and safe, from pre-birth through their teen years. Each phase of a child's life has its own series of potential hazards, and we're trying to shine a light on preventing those illnesses, injuries and deaths that are preventable. By appreciating what parents do every day and getting the best information out to parents and children, I hope that every child will grow up healthy, happy and able to reach their own potential."

The Surgeon General's Tips for Mothers, Fathers and Mothers-To-Be

1. Eat healthy. It's good for you and your baby. Follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Also, every woman of childbearing age should consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Folic acid can prevent neural tube defects (including spina bifida) and congenital malformations, which are the leading cause of infant mortality.

2. Don't drink alcohol when you are pregnant or might become pregnant. There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women. Alcohol can affect an unborn baby even before a woman knows that she is pregnant, and the problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure are lifelong. Alcohol-related birth defects are completely preventable, and eliminating alcohol will prevent all alcohol-related birth defects, including growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, central nervous system impairment, behavioral disorders and intellectual development.

3. Get prenatal care early. As soon as you think you may be pregnant, see a healthcare professional for prenatal care. And continue going for prenatal care during your pregnancy. Immediate and consistent prenatal care can prevent preterm delivery and improve pregnancy and childbirth.

4. Don't smoke. And don't allow anyone else to smoke around your baby. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to a low birth weight baby and can reduce your baby's lung function. Even secondhand smoke can have a harmful effect on your baby's breathing and can have long-term respiratory consequences like impaired lung growth, chronic coughing and wheezing. In addition, disorders related to preterm birth and low birth weight are the second-leading cause of infant death. Diseases of the respiratory system (aggravated by secondhand smoke) are one of the leading causes of infant hospitalization and infant doctor visits. For help to quit smoking, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm

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