Between 3.6 million and 4 million babies are born in the U.S. annually, and an alarming number of those infants come into the world having been nurtured by moms who are deficient in essential nutrients and phytochemicals.

That's the finding of a new study co-led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

It turns out that the average Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score of participating pregnant women was barely passing, earning them a "D."

The HEI looks at consumption of total fruit, whole fruit, total vegetables, greens and beans, whole grains, dairy, total protein, seafood, and plant proteins, as well as fatty acids such as omega-3s from salmon.

It also looks at whether refined grains, sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats are eaten in moderation.

If you don't rate high on the HEI while pregnant, you risk short-term and long-term health problems for your child — and yourself.

Deficiencies may increase the child's risk for low birth weight, birth defects, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and compromised heart, kidney, and lung function.

Moms increase their risks for everything from premature delivery and gestational diabetes to postpartum high blood pressure and heart woes.

To make sure you and your child thrive, take folic acid and other micronutrient supplements recommended by your doctor.

You can also adopt the eating style in Dr. Mike's "What to Eat When Cookbook" and Dr. Oz's YouTube video with Dr. Mike titled "Dr. Oz's What to Eat When Plan: Lose Weight, Prevent Disease & Live Longer."