- Babies who weigh less than 2500 gm (5 ½ lbs) at birth are said to have a LBW.
- Babies may have a LBW if…
- They are born too soon (before 37 weeks)
- They are small for their gestational age
- They are born too soon and are small for gestational age
LBW effects on the baby
- A healthy birth weight is essential for optimum child development and is the first indicator to life-long health.
- Babies who are very small may not be fully developed, and may need special care to survive.
- LBW causes about three-quarters of the deaths and illnesses in the first year of life.
- A number of long-term problems, such as learning disorders, visual and breathing problems, and cerebral palsy are found more often in children with LBW.
- Some children will need special care for many years.
Causes of LBW
- Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Previous preterm birth
- Previous abortions
- Smoking or exposure to second hand smoke makes you 2-3 times more likely to have a LBW baby
- Use of alcohol and/or drugs
- Stress and lack of support
- Abuse and/or family violence
- Living in poverty
- Premature birth
- Infections such as bladder or vaginal infections
- Poor nutrition – women who do not gain at least 22lb are 2-3 times more likely to have a LBW baby
- Being underweight before getting pregnant
- Mother’s age – women under 20 and over 45 are more likely to have a LBW baby
- Exhaustion or lack of rest
- Stressful work conditions
- Long hours
- Being on your feet for long periods
- Exposure to harmful substances
To help prevent LBW
Before a pregnancy
- Aim for a healthy weight for you height
- Eat a healthy diet by following Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating
- Include foods high in folic acid and iron
- Be physically active
- Be smoke free and avoid second-hand smoke
- Learn how to manage stress
- Avoid drinking alcohol when trying to get pregnant
- Avoid using street drugs
- Get a check-up from your health care provider
- Seek help if you are experiencing abuse in your relationship
During the pregnancy
- Have regular prenatal care
- Consider attending early pregnancy classes
- Quit smoking and/or avoid second hand smoke
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet by following Canada’s Food Guide for Healthy Eating
- Continue to be physically active
- Aim for a sensible weight gain during pregnancy – consult your health care provider
- Check with your health care provider before taking any medications or before stopping any prescription medications
- Learn ways to reduce your stress and get enough sleep
- Set up a support network with your family and friends and find out what resources are available in the community
- Talk to your supervisor/employer about a temporary change in duties (if needed)
- Learn about the signs of preterm labour and what to do
- A sudden gush or a constant slow leak of fluid from the vagina
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Contractions of the uterus
- Low dull backache
- Pelvic pressure (feeling full or heavy “down there”)
- Some women may just feel that “something is not right”
The pregnant woman’s partner can
- Support your partner’s efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle by having a healthy lifestyle yourself
- Ask others not to smoke around your pregnant partner
- Go with her to early pregnancy classes
- Be open to listening to her concerns
- Learn about substances in the environment that can be harmful to a pregnancy – try to remove or minimize them
- Be willing to share equally in household duties
- Learn about the signs and symptoms of preterm labour and what to do
For more information:
|
Printable Version