What can i do to ensure my future baby will be born healthy...?

Question

I'm 27 , no girlfriend or anything yet so i'm not ahving a baby now. But i 'm just thinking because i see tv reports and sometimes people have trouble when their babies are born premature or with defects. Is there any measures parents should take to guarantee that the baby will be born ok. or is it just something that randomly happens no matter what you do. My sisters already married and had babies, and luckly they were born healthy. But i fear that i may be the one with bad luck

Answer 1

You and your girlfriend will want to go in and have a pre-pregnancy check-up/consultation with your doc(s). Normally what they will do at that time is take blood tests to make sure that you are compatible with blood types. Your girlfriend would probably get a pap and pelvic exam that day to make sure there are no abnormalities. Also during this time with the doc it would be best to ask him some questions about what you can do for your child before you become pregnant. Here are a couple of things that the doc may tell you: stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, start taking a multivitamin, stop drinking caffeine, (wrap yourselves in bubble wrap)... Pre-term labor could be caused by things that you wouldn't even think of; for example: gingivitis and UTI. There are several things that are said to help with conceiving/being pregnant with a healthy baby... sometimes you can definitely feel overwhelmed by the amount of things people are telling you to do and what the doc is telling you to do... that you end up feeling like just wrapping yourselves up in bubble wrap until labor.

Answer 2

when you find the perfect someone who you have married and settled down. Make sure she takes her pre-Natal, that she does not smoke,drink, or take illegal drugs you can not do these either however some drinking is ok like a glass or bottle but no more. Make sure she goes to her doctors every apt. Have her seen by a ob before she decides to get pg and have genetic test done by the both of you to see if your child could be born with any rare problems. And also to see what her Rh factor is. When she does get pg have her stay as healthy as possible with out any stress in here life or more then usual. Exercise is a good thing to do during pg and will keep her body fit for labor. And don't worry about calling your doctor anytime during the pg about anything it will help to detect any problems that might be there. And when she gets further along and closer in her pg like in her 8 month have her count the baby's movements there should be at least 10 movements or kicks in a hour. Doing all of these are good and may help have a healthy baby and pg. But of course there are those pg where a baby is born to early and not always the parents fault but as long as its after 20 weeks baby's have a chance of surviving and after the 30 weeks its a really good chance. Have her gain at least 20-25 pounds if she is at her normal weight more if shes under weight and less if shes overweight.

Answer 3

There is nothing you can do to guarantee a healthy baby. However, there are some things you can do to increase chances of having a healthy baby. First, early prenatal care is very important for the mother. Also, taking prenatal vitamins is very important. Especially folic acid, which can prevent several birth defects.

"Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. Repeated studies have shown that women who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%." (Kidshealth.org)

Other things you can do are avoiding any hazardous chemicals during pregancy (whether on the job or at home), avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol, limiting over the counter drug use (check with your obstetrician to see if they are safe).

Don't be worried now that you will not have a healthy baby. But when you do decide to try to have a baby, make sure you and your partner take care of her health early on.

Answer 4

most of the time men have little say in birth defects, unless your family has a history of something. The mother is in more control, she needs to eat healthy, not smoke, drink or take any drugs. Also once you and your mate decide to have a baby proper medical care is very important from the very beginning. Look into your family history for any birth defects. (ask your elders IE grand mom's ect)

Answer 5

well the best thing you could do is stay away from alcohol and drugs, not smoking is a good way to prevent any defects. those are the major links to birth defects, but doesn't mean the baby cant be born with one it all depends on luck if you take all precautions.

(very pleased to see that you are trying)

Answer 6

Make sure to care for yourself. Even men need to be in good health to ensure a normal, healthy preg.. Don't do drugs. Keep drinking to a minimum (Social.Not sloppy drunk). Eat healthly. Excercise...Now, saying this sometimes you can't control what happens. With our youngest child, my preg. was going fine then a 30wks. it started to go down hill. She was born at 33.3weeks and was released 3 weeks later....so just make sure you and your future partner are healthly, to ensure a healthy start. Good luck!

Answer 7

check out the broad's family medical history as well as your own.

Answer 8

There is never a guarantee.