Wellness Programs – Focus on Prenatal Care and Breastfeeding.

Benefits of Prenatal Care and Breastfeeding

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

During pregnancy, simple precautions can help avoid catastrophic results; giving up tobacco use, for example, drastically reduces 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 company 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 courses for interested employees at lunchtime.

o  Provide educational materials about the effects of alcohol, drugs and use of tobacco on an unborn child.

o  Offer incentives for adopting healthy life choices during pregnancy.

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