Posted by Employer Wellness | Posted in Employer Wellness | Posted on 25-07-2010
Advantages of Prenatal Care and Breastfeeding
The old proverb “an ounce of avoidance is worth a pound of cure” is in particular relevant to when applied to preventive measures taken during pregnancy, when several additional ounces of birth weight can save a child’s life.
During pregnancy, simple precautions can help avoid catastrophic results; giving up smoking, for example, drastically lowers the risk of miscarriage and pre-term labor.
The March of Dimes reports that when 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 percent.
The physical and emotional benefits 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 –
• Invite the March of Dimes to present information about prenatal health at an staff member brownbag lunch or breakfast meeting.
• Hold prenatal care information courses for interested employees at lunch.
• Give educational materials about the effects of alcohol, drugs and tobacco use on an unborn child.
• Offer incentives for adopting healthy lifestyles during pregnancy.
• Offer prenatal programs and education as part of the company healthcare package.