“Get Fit for Pregnancy” is the theme of the National Birth Defects Prevention Network’s Birth Defects Prevention Month, which is this month!
According to health officials, the United States has more than 60 million women of childbearing age, and approximately one in five is obese. Though many women may know that being overweight increases their chance for diabetes and other health conditions in themselves, they may not realize that being obese or even just overweight creates unnecessary risks to the baby’s health.
To ensure a fit and healthy pregnancy, health experts encourage women to develop good health habits early.
Good habits include regular physical activity, about 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or more. Healthy eating means having a balanced diet that is low in fats and includes at least five or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables. Getting to a healthier weight helps an expectant mother feel great, and making better food choices for herself will prepare her to make healthier choices for her family.
Good health habits for everyone also includes knowing your family history, keeping regular check-ups with a doctor and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For every woman, from puberty to menopause, these habits should also include taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid daily, starting before she gets pregnant, to improve the likelihood of delivering a healthy baby.
Here’s to your health and the health of your baby this month and every month to come!
