Fact Sheet - Prenatal Care

• To prevent neural tube defects, a woman needs to have enough folic acid in her body both before and during pregnancy.

• Prenatal care is important because regular visits to a health care provider increase the chances that problems will be found early or even prevented.

• Many studies have shown that early and regular prenatal care is important for the health of both mothers and their babies.

• A woman who takes care of her health before she gets pregnant has a lower chance of having a baby born with a birth defect and is more likely to have a healthy pregnancy.

• Pregnant women should avoid exposure to toxic substances and chemicals such as cleaning solvents, lead, mercury, some insecticides, and paint.

• Women should see a doctor and get prenatal care as soon as they think they're pregnant. It's important to see a doctor regularly throughout pregnancy.

• There is no safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant.

• Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies may contain alcohol or other ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy.

• The heat from saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms may be harmful during pregnancy and should be avoided.

• Women should not stop eating or start skipping meals when their weight increases during pregnancy. Both a pregnant woman and her embryo/fetus need the calories and nutrition received from a healthy diet.

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