Pregnant or Thinking About It? 10 Prenatal Tips
Advice from the experts can help keep a developing baby safe and on track
Corrected on 11/20/08: An earlier version of this article misstated the nature of the potential risks from excessive weight gain during pregnancy and the amount of gain considered excessive for overweight women. The benefits to the fetus of maternal exercise also have been clarified.
Get moving. Exercise can moderate weight gain and may increase the flow of oxygen to the fetus.
Eat smart. New research shows a mother's diet during pregnancy has lifelong implications for her baby. A prenatal diet high in protein or fat has been tied to chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Besides following a generally healthful diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, eating fish twice a week (salmon, sardines, and canned light tuna are mercury safe) will provide omega-3 fatty acids for fetal brain development.
Don't get vitamin-happy. More isn't better—stick to the doses recommended by your obstetrician. Excessive vitamin A, for example, can cause head, heart, brain, and spinal cord defects. You may be told to take an iodine supplement; a new study found that prenatal vitamins often provide far less than the 150-microgram minimum recommended for proper nervous-system development.
Check around the house. Certain chemicals, among them BPA and pthalates in plastics, canned-food linings, and cosmetics, mimic the hormone estrogen. Some scientists worry that adults exposed to them in utero may have fertility problems. Eat fresh or frozen veggies, and don't use plastic containers or plastic wrap when microwaving.
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