http://www.babysafetyzone.com/prenatal-safety/ Prenatal safety can determine the health of a child throughout their lives. A child in the womb requires special care and a lot of thought about prenatal safety. en-us Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:39:50 EST Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:39:50 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Prenatal Safety Ensured by Mother and Doctor Baby safety begins in the womb. As soon as a woman finds out that she is pregnant, she should set up an appointment with an obstetrician. Prenatal safety cannot be taken on by a mother alone; she must consult with her physician throughout the term of her pregnancy. Babies are much healthier and more resilient to infections and disease when they are properly looked after while in the womb. There are even some problems that can be corrected before the baby is born. Many tests have been done that prove how much better off babies are who have received proper prenatal care. It also serves to keep mother healthier and the birth run more smoothly. In countries where access to prenatal care is limited or nonexistent both the rate of infant mortality as well as that of the mothers goes way up. Don't forget! To prepare for the arrival of your baby, it is important to read up and do plenty of research on child care if you intend to return to work. You probably won't have time to do this properly once the baby is born. Additionally, look around your home and make sure that it is a safe and suitable enviroment to bring your child into. When in Doubt...Abstain Although there is no lack of information regarding the horrible effects that alcohol and tobacco can have on a fetus, there are still many expectant mothers who do partake. Unfortunately this is a sign of total disregard of prenatal safety on the part of the mother. Tobacco needs to be given up immediately, in not before the pregnancy even occurs. The results of tobacco usage can be devastating for a fetus. And the health problem can very well follow them throughout their lives. Low birth weight and a decreased immune system are only a few of the health problems associated with smoking mothers. The abuse of alcohol may result in even more serious health problems and can even change the physical appearance of the child. Although some doctors will tell their patients that it's alright to have a half of glass of wine every so often, the fact is that it is not known just how much alcohol it takes to adversely affect a fetus. Because of that, we would suggest to all women to abstain from alcohol until after the birth of your child. Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:39:50 EST http://www.babysafetyzone.com/prenatal-safety/prenatal-care.html Prenatal care means taking special care of both the mother and the fetus. Getting the proper prenatal care will keep mother and baby in top form. en-us Mon, 17 Oct 2005 15:56:35 EDT Mon, 17 Oct 2005 15:56:35 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0