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Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Women’s health care providers should calculate a patient’s BMI and assess medical, social and family history for weight-related issues. How Does Maternal Obesity Affect Preconceptional Health? Maternal obesity poses several risks to mother and fetus. Obese women have higher incidence of hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, cesarean delivery, macrosomia and injury to the fetus. This issue is receiving greater attention globally and locally. The March of Dimes has issued several articles and recently held a conference on the subject because of the increased risk of prematurity and rate of infant mortality associated with maternal obesity. Although weight-control measures can be implemented during pregnancy, when appropriate, a better, safer outcome can be expected if a healthy body weight can be achieved prior to conception. Women of childbearing age must be counseled on the risks of obesity both to their own health and to the health of a baby, should they become pregnant. Links: March of Dimes professional resource Maternal obesity and pregnancy: Weight matters: Medical perspective on Prematurity- Summary of research linking prematurity to maternal obesity DIET TIPS Eating right can be hard when you do not feel like cooking or there is a fast-food place on every corner. Here are some simple things you can do to eat better:
TIP:Many food labels say "low-fat," "reduced fat," or "light." That does not always mean the food is low in calories. Sometimes fat free or low-fat muffins or desserts have even more sugar than the full fat versions. Remember, fat free does not mean calorie free and calories do count! You can hang out with your friends and still make healthy food choices. Try these tips when you are out 'n about: · Order vegetable toppings on pizza instead of salty high-fat meats like pepperoni or sausage. · Share popcorn (and skip the added butter) at the movies instead of getting your own bag, or order the smallest size — you will save money too! · Choose bottled water instead of sweetened soda. · Munch on pretzels or vegetables at parties instead of fried chips or fatty dips. Examples of Calories 1 can of soda – 150 calories Grilled Chicken sandwich (Wendy’s) – 290 calories 1 can of diet soda – 0 calories Beef Taco – 272 calories Medium coke/ McDonalds = 210 calories Egg McMuffin – 290 calories Hot cocoa – 110 calories Chocolate chip cookie (Subway) – 210 calories Sugar free hot cocoa – 50 calories Bagel – 170 calories 1 teaspoon of sugar – 16 calories 1 slice of wheat bread – 70 calories Milk (12oz) – 120 calories 1 baked potato – 220 calories Big Mac – 560 calories Chocolate shake – 360 calories Large French fries – 430 calories 1 p. Pepperoni pizza (Dominos) – 305 calories Bacon cheeseburger – 560 calories Chicken sandwich (B. King) – 710 calories Occupational and Environmental Hazards Occupational and environmental hazards are any agent or factor that may adversely affect human health by having direct or indirect exposure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). These factors include physical, chemical, or biological agents that are in the environment, such as ionizing radiation, mercury, lead, phthalate, and anesthetic gases. How does Occupational and Environmental Hazards affect Preconceptional Health? Exposure to any hazards both in the home and on the job have many effects on preconceptional health. Some examples are infertility, a decrease in quality of sperm, spontaneous abortions, and birth defects (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). Any women of childbearing age should refrain from these hazards to prevent future pregnancy complications or fetal harm, since half of all pregnancies are unplanned (Postlethwaite, 2003). Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), are diseases or infections that are transferred through sexual or other intimate contact with infected persons. This can include kissing, vaginal intercourse, and oral or anal sex. They may be caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites or fungi. Common STI’s include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Herpes, HIV/AIDS, HPV, Syphilis and Trichomoniasis. Most STI’s are treatable, while some have no cure. Many can cause diseases such as cancer and other health complications. How do Sexually Transmitted Infections Affect Preconceptional Health? STI’s can have serious harmful effects. Each STI may cause different health problems, but can include cervical and other cancers, liver disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and may increase the risk of getting HIV/AIDS (Womanshealth.gov). STI’s can be especially dangerous for pregnant women. In addition to the same consequences as woman who are not pregnant, they can cause problems for the mother and/or baby. Complications may be premature labor or premature rupture of membranes. The pregnant woman may pass the STI to the baby before, during, or after birth. Damaging results to the baby may include stillbirth, low birth weight, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, neurological damage, blindness, deafness, and many other serious conditions. Many problems can be prevented by receiving prenatal care (CDC.gov). Links: Information on the disease, testing, prevention and statistics http://www.ashastd.org/ Overview of symptoms, screening, treatment and prevention as well as other women’s health information http://www.4woman.gov/faq/stdsgen.htm Smoking Cessation Smoking Cessation, which means to stop/quit smoking, is a very important step to a healthier lifestyle. About 33% of all Americans smoke cigarettes (Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 2001). Second-hand smoke can also be just as harmful to non-smokers and children. Smoking can lead to many serious health issues such as lung cancer and COPD. In addition, it can cause other unpleasant side effects such as yellow teeth and nails, bad breath, and a hoarse voice. How does Smoking Affect Preconceptional Health? Smoking may make it harder to become pregnant. If you are pregnant you should try to quit as soon as possible, or cut back if you cannot quit. Smoking can cause problems as early as the first crucial trimester. When a pregnant woman takes a puff of a cigarette, she is exposing the fetus to 2,000 harmful chemicals. Smoking causes less oxygen and nourishment to reach the fetus. Smoking also increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, perinatal morbidity, and attention deficit disorder in the child (Brundage, 2002). Any healthcare provider can help you develop a plan for quitting. It is very important to keep trying until you are successful. Links: American Lung Association: Smoking and Pregnancy http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=33573 American Cancer Society: Quit smoking support http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Quitting_Smoking.asp |
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