Get Ready for Healthy Pregnancy
by CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Important Steps Women Can Take
- Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) folic acid every day: Folic acid is a B vitamin that can help prevent major birth defects. Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, before and during pregnancy.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs: Keep you and your baby save.
- Keep hands clean by washing them often with soap and water to prevent infections.
- See a health care professional regularly. Talk with the health care professional about any medical problems (such as obesity, diabetes, seizures, etc.) and medicine use (both prescription and over-the-counter).
- Ask about avoiding any substances at work or at home that might be harmful to a developing baby: Some workplace hazards can affect the health of your unborn baby. Learn how to prevent certain workplace hazards.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and foods made from it.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat.
Photo Credit: Amanda Mills
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