Loading...

What happens?

Rico is worried. His wife, Angie, has been feeling nauseated throughout the day. She is having breast pain, fatigue, and mood changes. Can you guess what’s most likely going on with Angie? When you think you know, click Show Me to check your answer.

Man reassuring sad woman
What can Angie do to make her pregnancy as healthy as possible? Find out in the slides below.
Doctor holding syringe

Immunizations

To prevent birth defects in a developing fetus, a woman should be up to date on all necessary vaccinations before she becomes pregnant. Of critical importance is the mother’s immunity to rubella, or German measles, which can cause deafness, heart defects, and intellectual disability in her baby.

pregnant woman eating healthy food

Nutrition

All women of childbearing age should consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid, or folate, daily. Folic acid helps to prevent serious spinal cord defects in a developing fetus.

In addition to folic acid, women should have an adequate daily intake of iron and calcium. These minerals are needed by the mother’s body as well as the growing fetus. To ensure adequate intake of these vital nutrients, healthcare providers often encourage women to take a prenatal multivitamin every day, whether they are pregnant or not.

kitten stepping out of litter box

Cats

You may not think of cats as a cause of birth defects, but they can be. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid changing a cat’s litter. A tiny parasite found in cat feces causes an infection that can damage a fetus. The infection is typically harmless to adults and children. However, its effects on a fetus can include deafness, convulsions, and intellectual disability.

graphic has image of beer, wine and cigarette and says avoid

Chemicals

Women who plan to become pregnant should quit smoking and avoid drinking alcohol. Smoking during pregnancy can result in a low birth-weight baby who is weak and vulnerable to illness. (Second-hand smoke is harmful to both the fetus and the newborn, so fathers should quit smoking, too.) Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which results in intellectual disability, stunted growth, and hyperactivity.

In addition to avoiding alcohol and tobacco, a woman needs to avoid all recreational drugs. She should also confirm with her healthcare provider and pharmacist that any prescription or over-the-counter medications she takes are safe to continue during pregnancy.