Your Child's Health - Archive

Also in this issue: Prevent Injuries From Falling Furniture Give Young Athletes Plenty of Fluids Kids and Teens Can Volunteer Boredom Busters: Quick, Fun and Inexpensive Activities for Kids Children's Invites You to Join the Conversation NEWSLETTER HOME PAGE		Prenatal Care Begins Before Conception Take the proper steps for a safe delivery and a healthier baby Planning for a new baby shouldn’t begin with diapers and formula. Taking the right steps before conception can make a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Plan your pregnancies Dr. Michael Zaretsky, UT Southwestern Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist at Children’s Medical Center Legacy, says one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancy. Dr. Zaretsky offers preconception counseling for couples contemplating or preparing for pregnancy. When you’re ready to welcome a child into the world, Dr. Zaretsky recommends you take these steps, before you try to conceive, to help ensure you’ll have a safe delivery and a healthy baby: See a doctor for a pre-pregnancy exam. Take 400 mcg of folic acid daily, beginning at least three months before planning to become pregnant. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight before becoming pregnant and follow your doctor’s instructions on healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Get adequate sleep. Reduce stress. Treat and control medical problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about the safety of any medications you take. During pregnancy As soon as you suspect you’re pregnant, make an appointment to see a doctor. Experts say healthy pregnancy outcomes are linked to early prenatal care. Your doctor can give you advice about diet, prenatal vitamins, exercise and other issues that may affect you and your baby, and help prevent and/or treat pregnancy-related complications. Preparing for baby Whether it’s preconception counseling to prepare for pregnancy or any high-risk pregnancy in which mother and baby need specialized prenatal monitoring and medical care, the UT Southwestern Maternal Fetal Medicine experts provide innovative specialized care that will guide you every step of the way. To learn more about the only academic practice in North Texas that offers immediate coordination of care with on-site pediatric specialists, visit www.childrens.com/maternal or www.utsouthwestern.org/obgyn. Last reviewed: June 2009		Find a Doctor Find a Speciality & Service Support Children's About Children's childrens.com
The health information presented in this email newsletter is intended for information purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. This information should not be used to treat or diagnose a health condition. Always seek advice from a trained healthcare provider. Thank You! For more health information, visit our comprehensive health library.