Prenatal health
Fewer got prenatal care: The number of women seeking prenatal care – which helps women have a healthier pregnancy and healthier babies – rose steadily during the 1990s through 2003 and remained steady until 2006.
But the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy declined in 2006 to 69 percent, and the numbers receiving late or no care also declined. Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic women are twice as likely as non-Hispanic white women to receive late or no care.
How they weighed in: In 2006, about one-third of pregnant women were outside the weight guidelines for healthy pregnancy, with 13 percent of moms gaining less than 16 pounds and 21 percent gaining over 40 pounds.
Weight gain of less than 16 pounds is associated with a higher risk of problems such as low birth weight and preterm birth, while high weight gain is linked with an increased risk of problems like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, c-sections, and weight retention after pregnancy. How do you feel about the weight you gained during pregnancy
How many smoked: In 2006, 13.2 percent of moms reported smoking sometime during pregnancy. Those who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to deliver low-birth-weight babies than women who didn't smoke.
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