Healthy beginnings for very young children begin in utero, and are supported through quality prenatal care and attention to myriad factors that assure a healthy pregnancy. After you have read the materials on the March of Dimes website stressing the importance of prenatal care, review the resources on having a healthy pregnancy and avoiding teratogens, or select and review other quality resources on these topics for this Assignment. Then, consider the following:

The importance of prenatal care, healthy pregnancies, and avoiding teratogens during pregnancy in supporting children’s healthy growth and development

Guidelines women should be aware of with regard to supporting healthy pregnancies

Based on your responses to the prompts above, develop a 1- to 2-page resource sheet for other child development professionals that provides information on:

Why prenatal care, healthy pregnancies, and avoiding teratogens during pregnancy are so critical to young children’s healthy growth and development

Specific factors related to prenatal care, supporting a healthy pregnancy, and avoiding teratogens that pregnant women should be aware of

Additional resources, such as websites, current articles, or information from medical and educational organizations, that reflect quality information on healthy pregnancies and healthy beginnings

Assignment length: 1–2 pages

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Note:

Be sure to complete this module’s Discussion before reviewing the Learning Resources.

While the following resources are highly recommended, you may find other articles and/or websites in each of the areas listed below to help you complete the Assignment for this module.

Prenatal Care

Website: March of Dimes: Prenatal Care

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/prenatalcare.html

Review information on the main page and select one or two of the articles referenced at the bottom of the page for additional information.

Video: Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby: Prenatal Care

http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=0&feature=PlayList&v=qZqGZLwDfdE&list=PL7EF68D0B439E073F

Having a Healthy Pregnancy

Website: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services: Healthy Pregnancy: Staying Healthy and Safe

http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/staying-healthy-safe.cfm

Website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Having a Healthy Pregnancy: ABCs: Pregnancy Tips (A-Z)

http://www.womenshealth.gov/Pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/staying-healthy-safe.cfm

Website: Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy Nutrition: Healthy Eating for You and Your Baby

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-nutrition/PR00108

Teratogens

Web Article: Teratogens Overview

http://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/online-library/content=P09519

Website: March of Dimes: Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center

(Relevant section: “Pregnancy Dangers”)

http://www.marchofdimes.com/Pregnancy/pregnancy.html

Web Article: Prescription Drugs Taken During Pregnancy

http://www.visembryo.com/baby/pharmaceuticals.html