able to monitor pre-existing medical illnesses to make sure they are under control during pregnancy. mothers with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are more likely to have infants with low birth weights. one essential action to increase normal birth weights is to have affordable, accessible, and culturally sensitive prenatal care worldwide. this is essential not just for treating low birth weight, but also preventing it. other prevention efforts include: smoking cessation programs, food-distribution systems, stress reduction and social service supports.