| Posted July 11, 2013 | By Melonee Hurt | Categorized under Women's Health |

Preparing for parenthood is a seemingly endless task. For many moms-to-be, keeping up with the latest "dos" and "don'ts" of pregnancy is a full-time job. Jacqueline Stafford, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist at Vanderbilt Franklin Women's Center, says recent improvements in prenatal recommendations and screenings are setting the stage for healthier moms, and babies. Here are four things moms-to-be should do to help their baby develop properly and arrive healthy:

1. Take prenatal vitamins

While common sense adages like avoiding alcohol and smoking while pregnant still ring true, Stafford says patients still need to be reminded of the need for prenatal vitamins and supplements.

"We're really pushing folic acid, which has been proven to decrease the risk of spinal defects such as spina bifidia and congenital heart defects," says Stafford, who practices at Williamson Medical Center. Folic acid also is found in leafy green vegetables like spinach - another great choice for moms-to-be.

Stafford says expectant moms should steer clear of raw sushi and undercooked meats. In reference to ocean water fish, opt for 12 ounces or less of fresh catch per week because of the potential mercury content. Lysteria is another common illness culprit, often found on cold deli meats. To reduce the risk of lysteria, Stafford tells patients to heat deli meats until steaming. Another food to avoid during pregnancy is raw eggs, typically found in cookie dough, cake batter, and Caesar salad dressing in many restaurants.

2. Vaccinate before pregnancy

Women who plan to become pregnant also should get up to date on vaccinations. That's because viruses like Varicella, or chicken pox, can cause serious illness during pregnancy. And because the vaccine isn't available to pregnant women, getting the shot beforehand can greatly decrease the risk of illnesses like Varicella pneumonia, a dangerous health concern among expectant women. Likewise, caretakers including moms, dads and grandparents all should receive the TDAP vaccine, which includes a vaccine for whooping cough. This virus can cause serious illness in young babies as well as older adults, making vaccination critical.

3. Get tested for Group B strep

During their last trimester, expectant women should undergo screening for Group B strep, which is a bacterium that lives in the birth canal in one out of three women. The otherwise harmless bacteria can be passed to the baby during the labor process and can cause pneumonia, meningitis or even death. Receiving antibiotics during labor for known positivity greatly reduces the chance for any mishap.

"Historically, Group B strep has been responsible for a high number of perinatal deaths and infant mortality," Stafford says. "The ability to test for strep before labor begins has changed medicine and drastically improved infant mortality rates."

4. Consider genetic screenings for added peace of mind

Recent advances in prenatal care mean peace of mind for parents, and healthier babies.  In the past, mothers at high risk for passing on genetic diseases would often undergo amniocentesis - inserting a needle into the abdomen to withdraw fluid from the sac around the baby. The procedure tests for Down syndrome, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and other diseases. While the test averages a high accuracy rate, the risk of miscarriage from amniocentesis is one in 300.

Fortunately, advances in genetics testing mean today's moms receive more accurate results with far less risk to the baby. Now, a simple blood test can identify those babies with Trisomy 21 (also known as Down syndrome), 18, and 13.  The two available tests are called MaterniT21 and Harmony.  These blood tests are reportedly 99 percent accurate without the risk of miscarriage, and results are back within two weeks.

"We think this test will revolutionize genetic screening completely," Stafford says. "It's completely changed my practice to have another option offer patients. Unfortunately, you can have a normal ultrasound and still have chromosome problems. So often, parents at high risk for these problems just want to know so they can prepare themselves and their families. This test is an easier, safer option for everyone."