Hello ladies! Hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous weather...hoping it stays this way!!!
Going off this weeks discussion I decided to reflect back on everything we have learned about prenatal care so far. At first, I wasn't too familiar with all the work that goes into prenatal care while carrying a child. To me, it's almost scary knowing everything you have to do in order to have a successful healthy pregnancy.
What I have learned so far is that prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care. Doctors can spot health problems early when they see mothers regularly. This allows doctors to treat them early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others. Doctors also can talk to pregnant women about things they can do to give their unborn babies a healthy start to life.
The thing that worries me is with all of these teenage mothers out there getting pregnant do you think they are getting the proper prenatal care they need for themselves and their child? Take the mothers on teen mom, all of the pregnancies on the show have seemed to produce healthy babies (besides one of Leah's twins). However, with some of the behaviors of the individuals on the show, such as Jenelle, it's hard for me to believe that all the mothers stopped drinking and smoking. In addition, do you think they all started to eat healthy, take vitamins, and stopped tanning? My guess is no.
The story of the matter is, prenatal care is SO important. Even if you can't afford the proper treatment, there are many places that can provide financial aid. Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. This prenatal care can help you have a healthy baby. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice, and other services important for a healthy pregnancy.
I hope prenatal care continues to be educate everyone. The lives of these children are in their mothers hands, not their own. By staying healthy, and following the guidelines necessary to have a healthy pregnancy, we can all produce healthy children. As far as teen mom, I am rather surprised they haven't shown a pregnancy gone wrong yet. I know it would be depressing but I am sure it happens a lot. Not every teenager is completely responsible, and I am sure there are quite a few who don't take prenatal care seriously.
For tips on prenatal care...
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/prenatal-care.cfm#b
-Olivia Arns
I agree. There are many things to consider when dealing with teen pregnancy, or any pregnancy for that matter - and I feel like prenatal care is often overlooked. Not necessarily on purpose, but many women are uneducated about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle when pregnant that is safe for the mother and the baby.
ReplyDeleteJust as Olivia stated, taking the proper vitamins, eating the right foods, avoiding the wrong foods, knowing the risks of continuing substance and/or alcohol abuse, etc are all major characteristics of a healthy pregnancy. Unfortunately, even if women are educated on the matter, many struggle financially and can't afford the proper care.
I hope we continue to reach out and talk to girls/women about the necessary precautions they must take in order to carry out a successful, healthy pregnancy.
- clare powell