If you use any street drugs, try to stop immediately. If you can’t stop, talk to your health care clinician and get some help. Although the evidence is somewhat unclear, almost all street drugs have been shown to negatively affect…
Category: Preparing for Pregnancy
Alcohol
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) is clearly a teratogen. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a group of related birth defects including some facial abnormalities, growth retardation, and varying levels…
Cigarettes
Cigarettes are on the short list of possible teratogens. Cigarette smoking is also a risk factor for premature labor and fetal growth retardation. If you smoke cigarettes, try to stop. If you are not able to stop, at least try…
Food Warnings
Occasionally, a federal or state governmental health agency will issue food safety warnings. These are usually of a temporary measure, lasting until the problem is corrected. The warning may involve a local area, state, region, or may involve the entire…
Vegetarian Nutrition
The human intestinal tract will tolerate a fairly broad diet. Human beings are probably designed to be omnivores with a significant leaning toward the vegetarian end of the spectrum. It is well established that a diet high in animal-source fats…
Vitamin A
If you eat a well-balanced diet AND take a supplement that contains more than 3,000 IU (800 RE) of Vitamin A, you may want to re-consider taking the supplement before you get pregnant. Vitamin A is a suspected teratogen, and…
Folic Acid
Before you become pregnant, start taking a vitamin supplement which contains folic acid. Folic acid (also known as folacin) is one of the B vitamins. It is known as “folate” when found in natural food sources. Recents studies show that…
Protein
The National Research Council recommends that adult men and women ingest daily (on average) about 0.75 gm of protein for every kilogram of weight. A gram is about the weight of one lima bean. A kilogram is 2.2 pounds. A…
Calories, Weight and Body Mass
If you are significantly underweight or overweight, consult a dietician before you get pregnant. If you have a history of bulemia or anorexia, discuss this with your clinician. Unless you are significantly underweight, you will not need additional calories prior…
Your Nutrition Before Pregnancy
Your body and your body’s nutritional stores will supply the building blocks of life for your baby. Proper nutrition is essential for both you and your baby. Of all the factors you have control over before, during and after pregnancy,…