National Birth Defects Prevention Awareness

Articles

Jan 1

The month of January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The National Birth Defects Prevention Network’s theme for their efforts in 2022 was “Healthy Communities, Healthy Babies.” Their goal is not to prevent all birth defects, as some are not preventable, but to encourage mothers to increase the likelihood of having a healthy baby simply by keeping healthy practices yourself during and before pregnancy. About one in 33 babies in the US is born with a birth defect. The most healthy and best choices for you are also the best for your baby. This organization provides many different resources and learning aids that can help expecting mothers to be confident they are keeping to the theme of “Healthy Communities, Healthy Babies”

Part of making healthy choices starts before pregnancy, and you can make a PACT to focus on healthy habits before and during your pregnancy. Use the PACT acronym to help you identify and make smart choices:

Plan

Some ways you can plan ahead is to focus on your overall health. Before you get pregnant, get as healthy as is possible to help prevent birth defects. Another way to begin working on your health planning is to ensure you are getting 400mcg of folic acid every day. You can get this requirement in your diet through foods like avocado, asparagus, broccoli, potato with skin, beans, nuts, and many other delicious and healthy options. When you have enough folic acid in your body at least one month prior to pregnancy and throughout your pregnancy, you will have a lesser chance of birth defects occurring that are relating to the brain and spine.

Another element of planning is to set up regular checkups with your healthcare provider. At the very start of pregnancy, women should begin planning with their doctor and begin prenatal care appointments.

Avoid using substances

Many women are aware of the risk of birth defects caused by substance use. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco can all lead to the development of birth defects if used during pregnancy. The easiest way to ensure your baby is unaffected by these harmful substances is to completely avoid them.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant risks passing alcohol through the umbilical cord and exposing the baby to it. Any kind of alcohol is harmful and can cause a wide range of disabilities as well as miscarriage or stillbirth. Intellectual or physical abilities can be affected by alcohol consumption and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) can also occur as a result of drinking alcohol when pregnant.

If you smoke cigarettes, it is best to quit smoking before pregnancy or as soon as possible if you are already pregnant. Some potential birth defects from smoking are a cleft lip or cleft palate, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

Choose the Healthy Path

The basic ideas of keeping in good health, diet and exercise, are ever-important if you are trying to get pregnant or already are. Ensuring you have a healthy diet with a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein will help you feel your best. Exercise is another very important aspect of not only keeping yourself physically healthy, but also emotionally healthy.

For anyone with existing health conditions such as an unhealthy BMI or diabetes can make changes to maintain health throughout their pregnancy. Obesity increases the likelihood of birth defects, so speaking with your doctor about how to reach a healthy weight before getting pregnant is the smartest path. For those with diabetes, it is important to keep this disease under control in order to prevent birth defects.

Talk to your doctor

In addition to setting up prenatal care appointments with your doctor, women should talk about any medications they are taking and how they could impact the baby. Your healthcare providers can help you to determine if any of your medications are necessary for your health or if it is safe to stop using anything.

Pregnancy can also make you more likely to get sick or catch a bug like the flu. Getting very ill during pregnancy can pose serious problems for your baby and can sometimes lead to preterm birth.

Making this PACT for yourself before or during your pregnancy can help you stay on track during a time that can sometimes feel stressful. Once you feel confident in your decisions and know you are making every effort to maintain your health, you can focus on the joys and excitement of bringing a new life into the world in good health.

Other causes of birth defects

Some birth defects are not preventable. For some women, genetic problems may exist that could cause mutations or changes during pregnancy that can cause defects.

Another cause of birth defects is related to chromosomal issues. At times, part of a chromosome may be missing or an extra chromosome can be present, as with Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, or Down syndrome.

Infection during pregnancy also poses a higher risk of birth defects as well. An infection of the Zika virus is one example of microcephaly, where the brain and skull develop smaller than is typical. Prevention of infection is possible by such things as avoiding travel, being aware of illness in those around you, keeping away from bacteria from animals such as rats, avoiding unpasteurized foods, and of course, being vigilant about washing your hands.

Although it may not be possible to detect all birth defects during pregnancy, the current technology of ultrasounds can make it possible for doctors to diagnose some birth defects. There are also opportunities that exist to treat some birth defects before the baby is born. The best options for you are the best options for your baby, and speaking with your healthcare providers when you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant is the first step to safely manage your health and the health of your baby.