There is nothing more important to expecting parents than giving birth to a healthy baby. The process of pregnancy from antepartum to postpartum is highly crucial for both the mother and the child, as many significant environmental determinants may have long-term detrimental health consequences for the developing child. As such, planning as early in the pre-conception phase, with the help of health professionals, could encourage behaviors that may lead to positive pregnancy outcomes and minimize the chances of developing adolescent and adult-onset disease.
One modifiable factor that women of reproductive age could practice is eating healthy. Her nutritional status must be adequate to support their (child) needs. Nutrient insufficiency in pregnant women can put the offspring at risk of neural tube defects, miscarriages, immune and cognitive impairment (i.e., Down’s syndrome). For example, maternal iodine requirement increases 50% during pregnancy, and insufficiency may lead to pediatric hypothyroidism and intellectual disabilities. Additional gestational supplementation with vitamin/mineral supplements is also recommended due to a significant decline in the nutritional content of some food. Moreover, the mother should also be exposed to sunlight and healthy microbiota as they are sources of many essential nutrients.
Minimizing exposure to toxins during pregnancy must also be strictly exercised by both parents. Recent cord blood studies have revealed that most infants are pre-polluted even before birth. The majority of toxic exposures are airborne (i.e., solvents, paints, and petroleum products), which have been proven to be linked to adverse outcomes such as pediatric allergy, decreased IQ, infectious disease, pediatric endocrine disorders, respiratory illness, autism, childhood cancers, increased hyperactivity scores, congenital disabilities, etc.
These practices, among other things, can promote a safe and healthy pregnancy journey.
Reference:
Genuis, S. J., & Genuis, R. A. (2016). Preconception care: A new standard of care within maternal health services. BioMed Research International, 2016, 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6150976