Transcript Lesson Plan 4: Preventable Factors That Can Lead to Poor Birth Outcomes

Healthy Before Pregnancy
March of Dimes
NC Preconception Health
Campaign
Preventable factors that can lead
to poor birth outcomes:
Lesson Plan 4
Causes of poor birth outcomes
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Genetic birth defects
Maternal illness
Medication
Environment/Lifestyle
Age of mother
“Don’t know”
Genetic birth defects
Photo source: National Center on Birth Defects and
Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
Neural tube defects
• Approximately 200 pregnancies are
affected by a neural tube defect
(NTD) each year in North Carolina
• 2,500-3,000 U.S. babies are born each
year with NTDs
• Another 1,500 are still born,
spontaneously miscarried or
terminated
Neural tube defects
• Spina Bifida
• Anencephaly
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center
on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Multivitamins: Take them for life!
Maternal illness
Maternal illness: Sexually
transmitted infections (STIs)
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Bacterial vaginosis
Chlamydia
Genital herpes
Genital warts
Gonorrhea
HIV/AIDS
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis
Maternal illness: Gestational
diabetes
• A baby can be born too large
(over 10 lbs)
• Birth defects
• Stillborn
• Newborn complications
Medication
Environment/Lifestyle
Would you give a baby a
cigarette?
• Pregnancy and
smoking don’t mix
• Babies of women
who smoke have
an increased risk
of birth defects,
prematurity and low
birthweight
Would you give a baby lead,
arsenic or carbon monoxide?
Third-hand smoke is dangerous
too
Why weight really does matter
• A woman’s weight
before pregnancy
may affect her
health during
pregnancy, as well
as influence the
health of her baby.
Babies born to obese
pregnant women…
• Are at a higher risk of:
• Birth defects
• Stillbirth
• Dying in the first 28 days
of life
• High birthweight (>9.9
lbs)
• Developing obesity, high
blood pressure and the
inability to process
glucose
• Low infant reflex scores 1
and 5 minutes after birth
• Not being breastfed
Weight connections
• We know that NC adolescents are
getting heavier
• We know that there is a connection
between a woman’s weight before
pregnancy and the health of the baby
• We know that most births in NC are to
women over the age of 18
myeatsmartmovemore.com
• See yourself here
• Move more
• Breastfeed your
baby
Age of mother
• Teen mothers have:
• Increased risk of premature and low birthweight
babies
• Higher rates of infant mortality
• Higher rates of smoking
• Less likely to access prenatal care
• Higher risk of premature labor, anemia and high
blood pressure
• Less education and higher rates of living in
poverty
Goal: all babies are intended
• Don’t resign yourself
to the idea of “if it
happens, it
happens”
• Take control over
your own
reproductive lives
today, tomorrow
and in years to
come
Have a Reproductive Life Plan
• Part of an overall LIFE plan
• Determining when (and if) having
children fits into your life plan
• Taking steps to achieve optimal
physical health, emotional well-being
and financial independence and
stability PRIOR to starting a family
Take care of yourself
• The health and lifestyle choices you
make today can affect the health of
your future family
• Revisit your reproductive life plan at
least once a year
• Advocate for yourself, your body and
your life goals
Healthy Before Pregnancy
• Remember, being in the best physical,
emotional and financial position
BEFORE pregnancy is best
• Make sure your future pregnancies are
planned and intended
• Proper prenatal care is a must for
when you do become pregnant