Preventing Birth Defects

We know that not each birth flaws can be prevented. But, we also know that women can gain their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and following healthy activities before becoming expectant.

Make PACT, a serious-mindedness to yourself, to get healthy earlier and during pregnancy by actively trying to plan ahead, avert harmful substances, choose a healthy lifestyle, and have a discussion with your healthcare provider.

1. Plan ahead

     

   • Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has adequate folic acid in her body at least one month before and during pregnancy, it can assist prevent major birth flaws of the developing brain and spine.

     

   • See a healthcare professional day-to-day. A woman should be sure to see her doctor when planning a pregnancy and commence prenatal care as soon as she believes that she is pregnant.

       

     It is crucial to see the doctor on a regular basis throughout pregnancy, so a woman should keep all prenatal care appointments. If you are trying to have a baby or are just thinking about it, it is not too primal to start getting ready for pregnancy.

     

2. Stave off harmful substances.

     

   • Stave off alcohol at any time during pregnancy. Alcohol in a womans bloodstream passes to the underdeveloped baby through the umbilical cord. There is no known safe quantity of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.

       

     There is also no risk-free time during pregnancy to drink. All types of alcohol are evenly harmful, including wine and beer. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual inabilities.

       

     These disabilities in the child, which occur because the mother drank alcohol during the pregnancy, are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The best proposal for women is to stop drinking alcohol when trying to get pregnant.
   • Stave off smoking cigarettes. The dangers of smoking during pregnancy include preterm birth, certain birth defects, and infant death. Even being close to tobacco smoke puts a woman and her pregnancy at risk for difficulties. Quitting smoking before getting pregnant is best.

       

     For a woman who is already pregnant, quitting beforehand can still assist protect against some health problems for the baby, such as low birth weight. It is never too late to quit smoking.

     

   • Prevent infections. Some infections that a woman can acquire during pregnancy can be deadly to the underdeveloped baby and can even cause birth defects.

     

   • Avoid overheating and treat fever promptly. During pregnancy, a woman should stave off overheating and treat fever promptly. Overheating can alter a womans chance of having a baby with a neural tube defect. It can be caused by a fever or exposure to excessive temperatures (like getting in a hot tub) that increases a womans core temperature.

       

     Protecting against infections, treating fever quickly, limiting environmental exposures known to increase core body temperatures (like getting in a hot tub), and consuming 400 micrograms(mcg) of folic acid routinely can help cut down the chance of having a baby born with a neural tube defect.

     

3. Pick out a healthy lifestyle

   • Keep diabetes under control. Poor control of diabetes during pregnancy increases the chances for birth defects and other difficulties for the pregnancy.

       

     It can also cause serious complications for the woman. Proper healthcare before and during pregnancy can help foresee birth defects and other poor outcomes.
   • Seek to reach and maintain a healthy weight. A woman who is obese (a body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher) before pregnancy is at a higher risk for complications during pregnancy. Obesity also increases a pregnant womans risk of several serious birth imperfections.

       

     Even if a woman is not actively preparing for a pregnancy, getting healthy can help boost her health and her mood. If a woman is overweight or obese, she should have a conversation with her doctor about ways to reach a healthy weight before she becomes pregnant.

  

4. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider

     

   • Talk to a healthcare provider about taking any medications. We know that certain medications can cause grave birth defects if they are taken during pregnancy. For numerous medications taken by pregnant women, the safety has been difficult to ascertain.

       

     Despite the limited safety data, some medications are needed to treat serious conditions. If a woman is pregnant or planning a pregnancy, she should not halt taking medications she needs or begin taking new medications without first speaking to her healthcare provider. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal products.
   • Talk to a healthcare provider about vaccinations (shots). Some vaccines protect women against infections that can cause birth defects. Having the correct vaccinations at the precise time can help keep a woman and her baby healthy.

       

     She should talk to her doctor about which vaccines are advisable for her during pregnancy. Pregnant women are more inclined to severe illness from the flu, including hospitalizations and even death, in comparison to women who are not pregnant. Pregnant woman with flu also have an increased risk of serious problems for their pregnancy, including preterm birth.

       

     Acquiring a flu shot given during pregnancy has been shown to defend both the mother and her baby (for up to 6 months after delivery) from the flu. Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also can be nerve-wracking. Knowing that you are doing all that you can to get ready for pregnancy, staying healthy during pregnancy, and giving your baby a health beginning in life will help you have peace of mind.

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