// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var pregnancy_prepare = new Array();
pregnancy_prepare.sName = "pregnancy_prepare";
pregnancy_prepare.ID = "pregnancy_prepare";
pregnancy_prepare.ID_WB = 3639003;
pregnancy_prepare.sPubDate = "12/9/2003 11:26:55 PM GMT";
pregnancy_prepare.mainsectionID = "HEALTH"
pregnancy_prepare.navsectionID = "HEALTH"
pregnancy_prepare.appFmt = 2;
pregnancy_prepare.appWidth = 460;
pregnancy_prepare.appHeader = "TIPS|Preparing for pregnancy";
pregnancy_prepare.appFooter = "Sources: March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation;<BR>What Doctors Don&#0146;t Tell You";
pregnancy_prepare.appNavStyle = 3;
pregnancy_prepare.appLayout = 1;
pregnancy_prepare.headHeight = 40;
pregnancy_prepare.copyHeight = 200;
pregnancy_prepare.copyMargin = 9;
pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Get fit","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Both men and women should get in shape six months before you&#0146;re ready to conceive.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Eat right","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Couples should work with a doctor experienced in pre-pregnancy nutrition, who will help you assess your nutritional status and help correct any deficiencies you might have.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Get tested","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Both partners should get tested for any hidden genital infections, allergies or other internal disorders, such as candida albicans.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Stop using birth control","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Your provider can tell you how long to wait before trying to conceive.  Birth control pills will not cause birth defects, no matter how close to conception you stop using them. But if you have been using an IUD, have it removed before trying to conceive. If pregnancy occurs with an IUD in place, it can be harmful.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Avoid smoking, alcohol,  caffeine in excess and drugs","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "There is scientific evidence that all these substances, used by the mother, can cause problems with the pregnancy and even birth defects. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, be sure to tell your provider.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Avoid toxic substances","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Exposure to chemicals, radiation and other toxic substances at home or at work by either partner can make it more difficult to become pregnant and can harm the fetus.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Check your family history","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Ask your parents if there is a family history of problem pregnancies or birth defects. If you have reason to be concerned about a genetic disorder or inherited disease, you may want to consult a genetics specialist.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Achieve your normal weight","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "It's important for women not to be underweight or overweight during pregnancy. Underweight women tend to have smaller babies, who have more problems during labor and after delivery. Overweight women are more likely to develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy. Don't diet during pregnancy, however, or while you are trying to become pregnant.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Take your vitamins","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Make sure to get enough of the B vitamin, folic acid. Suggested dosage for a non-pregnant woman is 0.4 milligrams a day; and for a pregnant woman is 0.8 to 1.0 milligrams. Studies have shown that birth defects of the spine and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, can occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy. Folic acid is contained in orange juice, green leafy veggies, grains and in multivitamin supplements.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Treat pre-existing conditions","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "If you have diabetes, make sure it is being treated. Although women with insulin-dependent diabetes have a higher risk of miscarriage and of having a baby with a birth defect, if the blood sugar is controlled before and during pregnancy, chances for delivering a healthy baby are excellent.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Get vaccinated","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "If a woman has not had rubella, it may be advisable to be vaccinated prior to becoming pregnant. If you do get vaccinated, you should delay trying to get pregnant for three months. You should not get vaccinated during pregnancy. If contracted during pregnancy, rubella can cause birth defects.";

pregnancy_prepare[i++] = new Array("","Watch what you handle","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
pregnancy_prepare[i-1].body = "Avoid eating undercooked meat or handling cat litter. These are known sources of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can seriously affect the fetus.";

	// END editorial data