Clinical Recommendations
The following clinical recommendations come from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 
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Counseling and Interventions to Prevent Tobacco Use and Tobacco-Caused Disease in Adults and Pregnant Women
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians ask all pregnant women about tobacco use and provide augmented, pregnancy-tailored counseling for those who smoke.
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Folic Acid to Prevent Neural Tube Defects
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all women planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400 to 800 µg) of folic acid.
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Primary Care Interventions to Promote Breastfeeding
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends interventions during pregnancy and after birth to promote and support breastfeeding.
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Screening and Behavioral Counseling Interventions in Primary Care to Reduce Alcohol Misuse
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening and behavioral counseling interventions to reduce alcohol misuse by adults, including pregnant women, in primary care settings.
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Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria with urine culture for pregnant women at 12 to 16 weeks' gestation or at the first prenatal visit, if later.
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Screening for Chlamydial Infection
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for chlamydial infection for all pregnant women aged 24 and younger and for older pregnant women who are at increased risk.
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Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in newborns.
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Screening for Gonorrhea
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians screen all sexually active women, including those who are pregnant, for gonorrhea infection if they are at increased risk for infection (that is, if they are young or have other individual or population risk factors).
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Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Pregnancy
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit.
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Screening for HIV
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians screen all pregnant women for HIV.
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Screening for Iron Deficiency Anemia—Including Iron Supplementation for Children and Pregnant Women
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends routine screening for iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pregnant women.
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Screening for Phenylketonuria (PKU)
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) in newborns.
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Screening for Rh (D) Incompatibility
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends repeated Rh (D) antibody testing for all unsensitized Rh (D)-negative women at 24-28 weeks' gestation, unless the biological father is known to be Rh (D)-negative.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends Rh (D) blood typing and antibody testing for all pregnant women during their first visit for pregnancy-related care.
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Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Newborns
The U. S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for sickle cell disease in newborns.
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Screening for Syphilis Infection in Pregnancy
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians screen all pregnant women for syphilis infection.
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Consumer Information
The following consumer resources are from the Quick Guide to Healthy Living at healthfinder.gov.
Physical activity is important for everyone, including healthy pregnant women. Use these tips to stay active during your pregnancy.
Women of childbearing age need an extra 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day. Folic acid is a vitamin that can help prevent birth defects.
Eat healthy, stay active, and see your doctor or midwife regularly.
Breastfeed your baby for the first 6 to 12 months, if you can.
Before your baby is born, talk with your doctor or midwife about newborn screening.
Babies need to go to the doctor for a “well-baby visit” 6 times during their first year. Prepare for your baby's next visit by making a list of questions to ask the doctor.
Children ages 1 to 4 need to go to the doctor for a “well-child visit” a total of 7 times. Get the most out of your child's next visit by gathering important information to share with the doctor.
Children ages 5 to 10 need to go to the doctor for a “well-child visit” once a year. Get the most out of your child's next visit by making a list of questions to take to the doctor.
Children ages 11 to 14 need to go to the doctor for a “well-child visit” once a year. Get the most out of your child's next visit by gathering important information to share with the doctor.
Teens ages 15 to 17 need to go to the doctor for a “well-child visit” once a year. Encourage your teen to get involved in doctors' visits.
Use these tips to choose foods that will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
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