By ELAINE RUPP

Special to The Hays Daily News

Last year, Hays Medical Center set a record for number of babies delivered in Hays. Parents and attending health care professionals are delighted to see infants have the healthiest start in life.

Healthy Start of Ellis County is available to all pregnant women and families with young children for providing information and resources, helping to assure a healthy pregnancy and birth and safe home environment. Free home visits also are available before conception. Many women might wonder why this would be important step.

Preconception health is an important aspect of health care for women who might be thinking of becoming pregnant. The principal goal of preconception care is to provide health information, screenings and interventions which will ensure healthy outcomes for both mother and baby. There are steps a woman can take to reduce the risk of certain prenatal problems and promote healthy pregnancy.

The U.S. Public Health Service recommends all women of childbearing age get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, through food or supplements. Many health care providers recommend supplementing the diet with folic acid for three months before getting pregnant, as well as throughout the pregnancy.

Women who are thinking about getting pregnant should make sure they have been immunized for certain diseases, such as chicken pox or rubella, which could harm a developing fetus. It is important to get these vaccinations before becoming pregnant.

A healthy diet and regular physical activity are essential for maternal health. Avoiding smoking, and all alcohol or illegal drug use also is important. Certain medications or exposures in the environment can be unsafe to a developing fetus and must be avoided during pregnancy.

It must be noted that about 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned. As a result, many women do not have the benefit of a health care plan. This has prompted the March of Dimes to suggest all women of childbearing age take a multiple vitamin.

Another area of concern to women themselves and to health providers and health agencies is the use of alcohol during the time a mother is unaware of her pregnancy or usage through her pregnancy. The National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has an important message for all women. The leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. More than 125,000 babies are born every year exposed to heavy or binge drinking, which is the highest risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder affects one in 100 infants each year. This number is higher than those diagnosed with autism, Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and sudden infant death syndrome combined.

The March of Dimes Perinatal statistics for Kansas in 2008 showed 12.7 percent of women childbearing age (18 to 44 years) reported binge drinking in the past month. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks on at least one occasion.

There are many misconceptions about the risk of alcohol during pregnancy. Often mothers receive inaccurate information that puts their baby at risk. Many people still believe that an occasional drink is not harmful. A 12-ounce beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a glass of wine or a shot of liquor. A Long Island ice tea has the alcohol content of four to five drinks. No amount of alcohol is considered safe if a woman is pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy. A friend's advice and experience is not a good source of information for the health of your baby.

Alcohol is a substance known to be harmful to fetal development. Alcohol can pass through the placenta and reach the developing fetus. It can cause damage to the nervous system and main organs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that children can have lifelong implications when exposed to alcohol in the womb. They can have difficulty in learning, attention, memory and problem-solving, as well as physical abnormalities. They do not outgrow fetal alcohol syndrome disorder. These affected children and adults can succeed with strategies and treatment, but the adverse abnormalities are completely preventable.

Most women who drink alcohol do not want to intentionally harm their baby. They often are unaware of the pregnancy or do not fully understand the risks that alcohol poses to their baby. The best thing a woman can do is stop drinking when she is aware she has conceived. This will increase the chances of having a healthy baby. See your doctor for prenatal care as soon as you think you might be pregnant.

If a woman is pregnant, planning to get pregnant or is engaging in unprotected sex, the best choice is not to drink. Some women might find it difficult to stop drinking during their pregnancy. Family and friends can provide alternative, non-alcoholic drinks and fun things to do that do not include alcohol. If a pregnant woman needs additional help, there are services available in this area. Smoky Hill Foundation is located at 209 E. Seventh in Hays; the Kelly Center FHSU Drug and Alcohol Wellness Network, 600 Park in Hays; and Project Dream Inc., 2818 Vine in Hays.

There is no safe time, no safe amount and no safe kind of alcohol during pregnancy. Healthy Start of Ellis County is a free program for expectant mothers to use for information and resources related to pregnancy and delivery.

Contact Elaine Rupp for information at (785) 625-3257. The program provides prenatal and postnatal home visits to any woman living within the county. Additional information concerning the risks of alcohol during pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder also is available at www.cdc.gov; www.marchofdimes.com; www.nofas.org; and www.nichd.nih.gov.