A Healthy Pregnancy
Problems in Prenatal Development
Prenatal development refers to the process in which a baby
develops from a single cell after conception into an embryo
and later a fetus.
The average length of time for prenatal development to
complete is 38 weeks from the date of conception. During
this time, a single-celled zygote develops in a series of stages
into a full-term baby. The three primary stages of prenatal
development are the germinal stage, the embryonic stage,
and the fetal
Miscarriage and Stillbirth
A woman who has ever experienced miscarriage
has a higher risk of miscarriage than the other
women do. Next, age has an important role in a
woman pregnancy. the older woman is, the higher
the risk of pregnancy is. An over-35-year-old
pregnant woman has possibility of conceiving a
baby with chromosomal abnormality more than a
young one.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Sometimes the fertilized egg never reaches the
uterus.
Birth Defects
What are Birth Defects ? Birth defects are structural or functional
abnormalities present at birth that cause physical or mental disability. Some
may be fatal.
Researchers have identified thousands of different birth defects. Currently,
birth defects are the leading cause of death for infants during the first year of
life.
How are Birth Defects Caused ? Birth defects have a variety
of causes, such as:
Genetic problems caused when one or more genes doesn't work
properly or part of a gene is missing
Problems with chromosomes, such as having an extra chromosome or
missing part of a chromosome
Environmental factors that a woman is exposed to during pregnancy,
such as rubella or German measles while pregnant, or using drugs or
alcohol during pregnancy.
Daily Activities During Pregnancy
In general, a normal pregnancy requires few
restrictions on activities. Most pregnant women
can continue working throughout their pregnancy
Discrimination risks. Although most pregnant
women need not restrict their activities, their
daily routines do deserve thought and planning.
Pregnancy is a time to pay special attention to
healthful habits .
Nutrition During Pregnancy
Good nutrition is an important part of prenatal care and a key
to a healthy pregnancy. If a pregnant woman does not get
enough nourishment, her baby has an increased risk of longterm health problems. By eating right , a pregnant woman
nourishes the fetus and keeps her own body strong and
healthy. Grain products such as breads, cereals,rice,and pasta.
Those made from whole grains are preferable because they
contain more of the grains natural nutrients.
Dry beans and peas.
Other starchy vegetables , such as potatoes and corn
All of these foods also provide fiber, which is plant material
that the body does not digest.
Avoiding Prenatal Health Risks
Health risks during pregnancy can come from many
sources. They include exposure to tobacco , alcohol
, illegal drugs , certain medications , X-rays ,
chemical hazards , and infections. All of these are
potentially harmful to the fetus. Smoking cigarettes
or using other forms of tobacco is dangerous
because it is limits the amount of oxygen the fetus
receives. Premature birth , low birth weight , and
other complications are linked to maternal smoking
and secondhand smoke.