"Oh, there he is!"

The birth of a child is one of the most important events in a parent’s life. It is the culmination of 9 months of growth. Those are crucial months for a baby’s development – especially a healthy brain.

Early brain development begins during pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle for the mother is important, according to University of Iowa Health Care specialists. That means avoiding alcohol, drugs and smoking. The use of prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid is also encouraged.

"Folic acid is an important thing for a woman to be taking – not only during her pregnancy but even before she’s pregnant or if she’s considering being pregnant in the future – in order to avoid severe neural tube defects in the fetus," says Dan Bonthius, M.D., UI Health Care Pediatrician.

Also important for both the mother and baby is good prenatal care during pregnancy. And if complications arise, University of Iowa Children's Hospital is home to one of the most comprehensive facilities for neonatal care.

"It’s very important that the people of Iowa have a facility like this available where we can provide whatever care is needed for any baby – no matter how sick," says Edward Bell, M.D., UI Health Care Neonatologist.

"It’s extremely important to have a tertiary health care center where cases can be dealt with that are more severe or more unusual than what are typically seen in a community," says Bonthius.

Research at the University of Iowa is also opening doors to new ways of dealing with those complications … to ensure a happy and healthy life for every child.

For more information:

View the TV Report *** Quicktime Required

University of Iowa Children's Hospital