Great Expectations

Most mothers-to-be expect that healthy habits during pregnancy will give their babies a good start after birth, but many don't realize that adopting those healthy habits before pregnancy can have an impact, too.

Because half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here are some tips from the March of Dimes:

• Every day, take 400 micrograms of folic acid, a B vitamin that can reduce the risk of brain and spinal cord defects by 70 percent. Folic acid is most beneficial when the mother-to-be has made taking folic acid a habit before conception; a daily multivitamin can keep you covered. A bonus: research suggests that folic acid may also help prevent cervical and colon cancer.
• Get regular medical check-ups with your primary care physician and discuss any health risks that might be associated with pregnancy, regardless of whether you intend to conceive. If you have a chronic medical problem, such as diabetes, epilepsy or high blood pressure, manage it effectively by getting regular check-ups with a specialist and following his or her advice.
• Keep your vaccinations up-to-date, especially measles, hepatitis and rubella. These can be passed from mother to child before birth and cause serious birth defects, even if the mother's symptoms are mild.
• Get fit. Find your ideal weight, eat healthy and exercise regularly. A balanced diet ensures that you have the proper nutrients to give the baby a good start. Watch what you eat; don't eat undercooked meat or foods that may put you at risk for food poisoning.
• Don't smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or abuse drugs. These also increase the chance of birth defects, even before the baby is conceived.
• Be aware of toxic substances or chemicals and minimize your contact with them. Don't handle cat litter or inhale cat litter fumes; this can cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that can harm an unborn child.
• Practice proper hand washing techniques to guard against infectious diseases.
• Don't forget dad. Fathers-to-be should adopt these practices as well. In some instances, as in the case of alcohol or cigarette use, poor health practices can affect the quality of the father's sperm, increasing the risk of birth defects. In other cases, a father's unhealthy habits can put the mother-to-be at increased risk.

For more information, visit the March of Dimes online at www.modimes.org.