Info for your patients

• The March of Dimes provides health information for families.
• Our Web site provides info on pregnancy and baby care.
• Our prenatal curriculum is called Becoming a Mom.

For the woman who is trying to get pregnant

• Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day and eat a healthy diet. Folic acid may protect babies against birth defects and may protect women against heart disease, cervical and colon cancer and possibly breast cancer.
• Go for a pre-pregnancy checkup.
• Don't smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
• Eat healthy foods, maintain a healthy weight and exercise.
• Avoid infections, hazardous chemicals and stress.
• Seek prenatal care as soon as you think you may be pregnant.

To learn more about preconception, patients may contact the Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center^® at the March of Dimes or visit it on the Web.

For the pregnant woman

• Seek early and regular prenatal care as soon as you think you may be pregnant.
• Gain about 25 to 35 pounds if your weight was average for your height before pregnancy.
• Never try to lose weight during pregnancy.
• Don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use illegal drugs during pregnancy. It's never too late to stop or cut back.
• Ask your health care provider before taking medications or herbal teas or supplements during pregnancy.
• Call your health care provider right away if you think you are going into labor early.
• Know that women are strong and quite capable of giving birth.
• Be aware that your plans for the baby's birth may have to change to protect the baby's health.
• Identify a pediatrician for your baby before he or she is born.

To learn more about pregnancy, patients may contact the Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center^® at the March of Dimes or visit it on the Web.