Healthy Babies in the Womb

CDC's PACT for Healthy Babies

The national Center for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) has many ways for women of reproductive age to focus on what they can do to improve their chances of a healthy pregnancy. The CDC’s suggestion is making a PACT for preventing birth defects before and during pregnancy: Plan ahead, Avoid harmful substances, Choose a healthy lifestyle, and Talk with your healthcare provider.
  Women can make a PACT for healthy babies while they are in the womb and spread the word on Face book, Instagram, and Twitter #LivingMyPACT.
  The P is for plan ahead. Doing what you can before pregnancy, and all during pregnancy will give babies a healthy start and help them throughout life.
  Physicians recommend taking a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, a vitamin B, every day before and during pregnancy.
Avoid Harmful Substances
  Smoking--every kind of smoking--

Avoid Harmful Substances

is the single most preventable cause of death and illness for mothers and infants. Research the dangers and now to quit.
  There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. When Mother drinks alcohol so does Baby’s brain. Stick to water at parties and when thirsty drink water, milk, or an all-natural nutritious juice with a minimum of sugar. Check the labels. If you don’t know what all the ingredients are don’t drink it.
  Do not take any drugs except those prescribed by your doctor who knows you are pregnant. Cells are rapidly dividing and the womb is meant to be a safe place for growth. What Mother does, Baby does.
  Talk to your doctor about vaccinations. Some are safe during pregnancy and some are not. The CDC recommends a flu shot to protect the mother and baby in the womb.  The shot will also protect the baby after birth.
  Try to avoid infection. Wash your hands often with soap, especially after touching raw meat, raw eggs and unwashed vegetables, after gardening, handling pets, and caring for children. Do not touch or breathe the fumes from dirty cat litter. There are parasites dangerous to your fetus. See cdc.org for travel warnings.  
Choose a Healthy Lifestyle
  Eat healthy meals and exercise. Pregnancy is a time to fine tune eating habits. The American Pregnancy Association (americanpregnancy.org) outlines recommendations for fruits and vegetables, bread, grains, protein, calcium, iron, vitamins C and B, folic acid. At least walk every day.

Choose Healthy Lifestyle

  Come to physician’s appointments with written questions after reading cdc.org. Ask for pamphlets, books, and recommended web sites. Ask about diabetes if you are at risk, HIV tests, West Nile virus, Zika virus, high blood pressure, all medications and environmental and workplace exposure.
Photos by Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest