 |
The Benefits of Healthy Birth Weight
Everyone benefits when babies are born healthy, at term and with a healthy birth weight.
Babies benefit because:
- They have the best possible start in life
- They are less likely to get sick or die in their first year of life
- They are less likely to have life-long health problems
- They are less likely to have learning problems or problems with their development
- They are more likely to reach their full potential to become active, contributing members of their community
Parents and families benefit because:
- They can know the joys of watching a healthy child grow and develop
- They may have an easier transition into their parenting role
- They may feel more confident sooner in their ability to care for their child
- They can return more easily to a normal (or a "new normal") life after the birth of their child
- They are less likely to need extra health and social supports
- They may experience less marital/family stress
- They are more likely to maintain or resume their normal duties in the workplace
Workplaces benefit because:
- Pregnant women who have safe, supportive and flexible working conditions are more likely to experience a healthy pregnancy and a healthy birth, and are more likely to return to work after the normal period of maternity leave
- Employees who work in supportive environments are more likely to feel good about themselves and their job, and to contribute positively to the workplace
The community benefits because:
- Children are its most precious resource - promoting healthy pregnancies and healthy births helps ensure the ongoing health of the community
- A community is healthier when its citizens are healthy
- Fewer resources (human and financial) are needed to support families with disabilities - more of these resources can be spent on maintaining a healthy population
- Fewer special services, such as special education and developmental services are needed
 Next page - Causes of Low Birth Weight
|
What is Low Birth Weight?
FRANÇAIS