Finding out early that you are pregnant not only means that you can begin prenatal care for your sooner, but it also means that you can stop any harmful behaviors that might negatively affect your baby's health -- such as drinking, smoking or doing drugs.
Behaviors That Pose Danger to Your Baby
Drinking, doing drugs and smoking cigarettes can all harm the development of your baby. Drinking during pregnancy can result in a child being born with a range of disorders known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. It is a birth defect that causes life-long consequences for the child. But fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and the set of secondary conditions associated with FAS are completely preventable, if you stop drinking while you are pregnant.
Stopping Early Is Important
When you are pregnant, there is no known safe level of alcohol, nicotine or drug consumption during any phase of your pregnancy. To protect your baby's development, you should stop all of these behaviors as soon as you discover that you are pregnant.Most women will stop drinking, smoking and doing drugs as soon as they find out they are pregnant, research has also found. The problem is many women do not find out they are pregnant for several weeks, which is enough time for the baby's heart and brain to form.
Testing Early and Often
The sooner you find out you are pregnant the better. Research has shown that women who keep a home pregnancy test available test more often and find out much sooner that they are pregnant than those who don't keep tests handy.It just makes sense. If you have a supply of home pregnancy tests available, you are more likely to test if you suspect you are pregnant, compared to having to go to the drug store and purchase the test. And that test result could be just the motivation you need to reexamine and address harmful behaviors -- both for you and your baby.
Source:
Nettleman, Mary D. et al. "Self-Testing for Pregnancy Among Women at Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial." American Journal of Preventive Medicine. February 2009.
