What recommendations does the March of Dimes make to guide teenage girls?
Because of the risks involved in teen pregnancy to both mother and child, the March of Dimes strongly urges teenage girls to delay childbearing. The March of Dimes also recommends that anyone who could become pregnant eat a healthy diet, achieve a healthy weight and quit smoking. The March of Dimes further recommends that all women, including teens, who could become pregnant, take a multivitamin containing folic acid every day for the teen’s own health and to reduce the risk of having a baby with birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, should they become pregnant. Teens who already are pregnant can improve their chances of having a healthy baby by: • Getting early and regular prenatal care from a health care provider or clinic. • Eating a nutritious and balanced diet. • Stopping smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke. Smoking increases the risk for low birthweight, premature birth, pregnancy complications and SIDS. • Stopping drinking alcohol and/or using illicit drugs. Alcohol and
