Bulletin board by Gregory Aalto

Work chemical exposure

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:10:25 UTC

Find out from your employer whether you might be exposed at work to toxic substances such as lead or mercury, pesticides or solvents, or radiation. Radiation, a form of energy sent out in invisible waves, is used in certain medical and industrial jobs.

Preconception health

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:10:29 UTC

Body Mass Index

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:10:32 UTC

Body mass should be within normal range relative to height

Underweight—BMI of less than 18.5 Normal weight—BMI of 18.5 to 24.9

Overweight—BMI of 25 to 29.9

Obese—BMI of 30 or greater

Prenatal Vitamins

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:10:35 UTC

"you should take a daily prenatal vitamin before pregnancy and continue taking it after you get pregnant. Prenatal vitamins contain all of the recommended daily vitamins and minerals you will need before and during your pregnancy, including folic acid and iron. Prenatal vitamins also may help reduce nausea and vomiting if you start taking them before you get pregnant."

Birth defects from drug use

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:10:38 UTC

Use of substances—tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs taken for a nonmedical reason—can cause serious problems for your pregnancy and your fetus, including:

Birth defects
Low birth weight
Preterm birth
Stillbirth

HIV?

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:11:26 UTC

Yes, all women should be tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV cannot be cured, but if you know your HIV status, you can make important decisions about pregnancy. You also can learn about treatment options that may make it less likely you will pass the infection to your fetus. See Testing for HIV to learn more.

APA citation

gre2176856 — 2024-04-24 23:15:40 UTC

Good health before pregnancy: Prepregnancy care. ACOG. (n.d.). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/good-health-before-pregnancy-prepregnancy-care