Smoking during pregnancy harms both mother and fetus. Substance use during pregnancy may have an important negative impact on pregnancy outcome. The prudent choice for women planning a pregnancy or already pregnant is to abstain from drinking alcohol and using illicit drugs. A recent review of the international literature strongly suggests that prenatal programs that include or focus on nutrition intervention can improve pregnancy outcomes, particularly in the case of women who, in addition to low income, have other risk factors. Practical Considerations Health practitioners can play a key role in recognizing and helping women who live in poverty.
Sensitivity is important in discussing their circumstances.
Ask those who respond affirmatively, how frequently this happened in the past month. Help pregnant women receive the support they need to nourish themselves and their family. Refer nutritionally vulnerable pregnant women to appropriate services or programs, such as comprehensive prenatal nutrition programs for at-risk women. Support the availability of broad access to prenatal nutrition programs for vulnerable pregnant women in your community. Although there is limited scientific research directly linking the negative effects of family violence to the nutritional status of pregnant women in Canada, due to their circumstances, abused women may not view healthy eating as a priority.