Healthy Lifestyles during Pregnancy is Associated with Better Maternal and Fetal Health
Shashi K. Agarwal *
Center for Contemporary and Complementary Cardiology, 2227 US Highway 1, Suite 309, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Evidence indicates that healthy lifestyles can significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy. Several major physiological changes take place during a normal pregnancy, all aimed at keeping the mother and the growing fetus healthy. Five major lifestyles: tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate nourishment can deleteriously alter these processes. Several myths, addictions, societal stigmas, and other factors often lie behind continuance of unhealthy lifestyles. Besides directly impacting the course of a normal pregnancy, fetal development, delivery and lactation with breastfeeding, these unhealthy lifestyles also impact several chronic diseases that invariably have a negative effect on pregnancy. This manuscript briefly reviews the effects of these lifestyles.
Keywords: Pregnancy, smoking, exercise, alcohol, diet, obesity, maternal health, fetal health