Advantages of Prenatal Care and Breastfeeding

The old proverb “an ounce of avoidance is worth a pound of cure” is especially relevant to when applied to preventive measures taken during pregnancy, when a few additional ounces of birth weight can save a child’s life.

During pregnancy, simple precautions can help avoid catastrophic results; giving up smoking, for instance, drastically decreases the risk of miscarriage and pre-term labor.

The March of Dimes reports that if all women took adequate folic acid before conception and during pregnancy, the number of babies born with a neural tube defect could drop by as much as 70%.

The physical and emotional advantages of proper prenatal care to a mother and child are underscored by a strong organization case for offering prenatal wellness benefits. Nationwide’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Michael Moore, estimates costs to care for one baby delivered prematurely could approach $500,000.

First steps in fostering a prenatal program -

o  Invite the March of Dimes to present information about prenatal health at an worker brownbag lunch or breakfast meeting.

o  Hold prenatal care information classes for interested staff members during lunchtime.

o  Give educational materials about the effects of alcohol, drugs and smoking on an unborn child.

o  Provide incentives for adopting healthy life choices during pregnancy.

o  Give prenatal programs and education as part of the company health care package.