Thinking about Having a Baby?
Believe it or not, waiting until you and your partner become pregnant to prepare for parenthood may be waiting too long. By the time a woman suspects she is pregnant, the baby’s early stages of growth have already begun. The health habits of both parents can affect the odds of having a healthy baby, a child with birth defects or childhood diseases or a miscarriage. Couples planning to become parents should make health and lifestyle changes at least six months to a year before starting a family.
To have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, both of you should be sure to:
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Include 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Folic acid is found in dark green, leafy vegetables, orange juice and broccoli. Men should add 12 to 15 milligrams of zinc and vitamins C and E to their diets. Zinc is found in extra lean ground beef, baked beans and in dark chicken meat.
- Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs. Limit caffeine.
- If you work around toxic chemicals or materials, wash your hands often. Get information on any chemicals at your worksite and don’t wash soiled clothing at home. If possible, change clothes at work.
- Make sure you have proper vaccinations before you get pregnant especially for rubella.
- Avoid X-rays, hot tubs and saunas.
- Develop a strong and healthy relationship with your partner. If necessary, work on family tension, stress or domestic violence with a therapist before you decide to have a baby. Remember that having a baby will not fix your relationship with your partner.
- Make sure you both feel ready to have a baby - whether your baby is planned or unplanned, every child deserves to be wanted and loved unconditionally.
Get Health Care Coverage for You and Your Baby
Healthy Start/Healthy Families is a health care program that helps families with limited income get the health care they need to stay healthy. The coverage is either free or low-cost, based on income.
It covers all medical care related to your pregnancy such as pregnancy testing, doctor visits for prenatal care and needs such as prescriptions, vision care or dental care.
Let Healthy Start/Healthy Families give you and your baby a great beginning to a healthy life together. To learn more about Healthy Start go to www.jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm or how to apply, call 1-800-324-8680 today.
This page last updated on 3/17/08.