10 Ways To Help Prevent Birth Defects

Tips to Prevent Birth Defects

Here are some helpful ways which you can use to prevent birth defects while you are pregnant or planning to have your baby:

1. Avoid Alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Alcohol can interfere with the normal growth of the foetus and cause birth defects. Drinking during pregnancy can develop physical, intellectual, behavioural, and learning disabilities that can last a lifetime.

2. Maintain healthy weight

Weight plays a crucial role in pregnancy as women who are overweight when they get pregnant are at an increased risk of having a baby with birth defects. The most common defects in newborns of obese women are heart and spine problems and a cleft palate (an opening or split in the roof of the mouth).

3. Don’t use illicit substances

Use of illegal drugs in pregnancy can increase the chance of birth defects. It also can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth.

4. Adjust your medication before pregnancy

Many medications are associated with birth defects so if you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant in near future, inform your health care provider so they can prescribe you medicines accordingly. Also, once pregnant check with your OB/GYN before taking common over-the-counter drugs to make sure they are safe during pregnancy.

5. Take daily multivitamins

When pregnant, your daily need for vitamins and minerals increases and meeting daily requirements help prevent birth defects. It is recommended to take daily prenatal vitamins as they contain the recommended amounts of the vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy, including iron, vitamins A/C/D, and folic acid.

6. Prevent Infections

Unintended infection during pregnancy is one of the most feared causes of birth defects. Avoid traveling to remote areas with poor sanitation, don’t eat raw or undercooked meat, and wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them.

7. Treat existing medical conditions before pregnancy

If you have a medical condition such as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure, see your OB/GYN to discuss any lifestyle or medication changes that can help control your condition before you try to get pregnant. This helps to decrease chances of birth defects.

8. Stay up-to-date on all vaccinations

Infections such as measles, rubella, and chickenpox can cause major birth defects when a mother is infected during pregnancy. Fortunately, most of these infections have vaccines that can greatly decrease your chance of infection. However, most of these vaccines cannot be given during pregnancy, so make sure to get all vaccines prior to pregnancy.

9. Avoid exposure to harmful agents

Some environmental agents can increase the risk of birth defects such as lead exposure, large amounts of Vitamin A, and mercury consumption. Strongly consider to limit your exposure to these prior to attempting pregnancy.

10. Discuss about the right time to get pregnant

For women who don’t have major risk factors and are in good health, there is no better time to get pregnant then the present. However, it is always good to confirm this with your OB/GYN, to make sure there are no obvious risk factors that need to be addressed prior to attempting conception. Scheduling a doctor visit before getting pregnant is a great way to start.

Conclusion

Birth defects is a heart-breaking topic to discuss, but it’s an important topic for which awareness and education must be spread among people. Receiving the proper information can help in preventing, understanding, and treating birth defects.

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Source: BeingTheParent, CDC.Gov, TrueRemedies

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on April 11, 2023