How can stress affect my unborn baby? When you have a lot of stress that builds up over time, it may:
Slow the flow of blood to your baby, cutting down the nutrients and oxygen she receives
Hurt parts of your baby's brain, which may cause behavior or learning problems later in life.
Cause you to eat poorly, smoke, drink or take drugs that can harm your baby.
Cause your baby to be born too soon or too small.
Ask your Healthy Start nurse or service coordinator to suggest ways you can manage your stress, or if you are not receiving Healthy Start services, call for assistance.
Everything you put in your mouth nourishes your body and the baby inside of you. To nourish yourself and your baby, eat food from all five groups every day. Each day you will need to eat:
6-11 servings of breads and cereals
3-5 servings of vegetables
2-4 servings of fruit
2-4 servings of dairy products
2-4 servings of meat, poultry, fish & beans
How much is a serving?
Breads, Cereals, Rice and Pasta: 1 slice of bread, ½ cup cooked cereal rice or pasta, 1 cup dry cereal.
Vegetables: ½ cup cooked or raw vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetable salad, ¾ cup of vegetable juice.
Fruits: 1 medium whole fruit, ½ cup of canned fruit, ¾ cup of fruit juice.
Dairy Products: 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 ½ ounces of cheese, ½ cup ice cream.
Meat, Poultry, Fish & Beans: 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, ½ cup of cooked dry beans.
How tobacco, alcohol, and drugs can hurt your unborn baby. Your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen for you to live. So does your baby's brain. Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs can cut the flow of oxygen to your baby's brain and can damage him for the rest of his life.
If you smoke while you are pregnant, less oxygen will get to your baby. Your baby may be born too soon (premature) or too small (low birth weight.) Your baby has a greater chance of dying before his first birthday. Also, he may not be as smart as other babies whose mothers have not smoked.
If you drink beer, wine, liquor, or even wine coolers, you may harm your baby''s brain and other organs. He is more likely to have trouble learning or paying attention and may have behaviour problems when he gets older.
If you use cocaine, marijuana, heroin, or other street drugs while you are pregnant, your baby is more likely to be born too small and may have brain damage. These drugs can even make your baby addicted and have to go through withdrawal. He may cry a lot and have trouble eating or sleeping. He may develop emotional problems and be sick a lot.
Every time you smoke, drink, or do drugs, so does your baby. The sooner you stop or cut down, the greater chance that your baby will be born healthy and strong.
Get the help you need to stop. You and your baby deserve it.
Sexually transmitted diseases can hurt your baby. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are passed from one partner to another during sex. Your doctor or midwife will test you during pregnancy so if you have any diseases, they can be treated. If left untreated, they can seriously harm your baby.
Herpes causes small painful blisters in the genital area. If you have active herpes, your doctore may delivery your baby by cesarean section to protect her from serious infection.
Gonorrhea may cause burning when you urinate, an unusual discharge from your vagina, or you may feel nothing at all. Untreated gonorrhea could make your baby blind or cause serious complications.
Chlamydia can also make you burn when you urinate or have a vaginal discharge. Untreated chlamydia could give your baby pneumonia or eye infection.
Genital Warts can later turn into cancer. Untreated genital warts can be passed on to your baby.
Syphilis may cause a painless sore on a man or woman's sex organ. Untreated syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or damage your baby's bones, teeth, and brain.
Group B streptococcusinfection can be passed to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or after birth. Even if you have it, there is a very small chance that the baby will get it. Antibioutics during delivery may prevent infection in your baby.
Protect your baby by telling your doctor or midwife if you have any of these symptoms or if you think your partner may have a sexually transmitted disease. Use condoms during pregnancy to prevent passing these diseases.
The first three months of pregnancy are a critical time for our baby's development.
All the brain cells your baby will ever have are formed during the first three months. All your baby's organs - the heart, stomach, lungs, eyes, ears, arms and legs - are developing right now.
What is happening in your womb today affects your baby's future. What you eat and drink gives your baby the nutrients he needs to grow.
The smoke you breathe cuts down the oxygen your baby's brain needs to fully develop.
Alcohol or drugs can harm your baby's body especially his brain.
The stress you feel can cause your baby to weigh less or to be born too early.
You can make your baby healthier and smarter by taking good care of yourself while you are pregnant. Your baby is depending on you!
