Can Autism be prevented? (Pt.2)

During Pregnancy:

• Have regular check-ups, eat healthy, exercise and take all recommended vitamins and supplements when you are pregnant. 
• Discuss medications with your healthcare provider. In particular, discuss risks associated with over-the-counter painkillers, prenatal vitamins, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Do not take drugs during pregnancy unless your doctor approves; this is particularly true for some antiseizure medications.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages of any kind while you are pregnant.
• Start childbirth classes early 
• Choose your birth care providers wisely. 
• Avoid the flu vaccine or any other immunization 
• If you get sick, rest. Drink lots of hot water with lemon; take extra vitamin C 
• Avoid exposure to certain toxic substances during pregnancy as this can increase the risk of autism consult your doctors for practical, protective steps that you can take during pregnancy to these exposures 
• Avoid unnecessary ultrasounds which may include all ultrasounds. There are no conclusive studies showing that ultrasounds are safe in pregnancy. Of greater concern are the studies showing how prenatal ultrasound affects brain development. Even standard, routine ultrasounds are not medically necessary and have not been shown to improve birth outcomes.

After giving birth

• Bond with your baby as much as possible, hold and talk to your baby as often as possible but try to sleep and rest when you can. You can adopt the co-sleeping option to ensure continued contact with your baby. 
• Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to not only provide optimal nutrition, but to ensure there is a good amount of bonding time between you and child. Continue breastfeeding for at least one year or preferably two. Your breast milk offers the best immune system support available. While breastfeeding keep up your excellent dietary habits and consume extra fiber to ensure a good bowel movement daily. Continue taking multivitamin and fish-oil supplements with extra vitamin D if your blood work shows a deficiency. 
• Utilize baby carriers study shows that when you have you baby held close, it allows them comfort, emotional ease and very importantly constant motion which are factors that strengthen and enhance neurological development in your baby. 
• Birth could be strenuous for both you and your baby; you should both be checked shortly after birth. 
• Avoid bedding and clothing treated with flame retardants, as they contain high levels of antimony and other toxic substances. 
• Unless you are positive for hepatitis B, there is no need for your newborn to receive the hepatitis B vaccine in the nursery or within the first few months of life.

Autism cannot always be prevented, of course, and no one should harbor guilt. There are no guarantees, however countless parents, physicians and researchers are pooling their experience to learn what is contributing to autism, and those strategies are bringing about improvements in affected children.