January is Birth Defects Prevention Month

By Julie Tresco, MS

Everyone wants to give birth to a healthy baby, but did you know that there are some ways to help that happen?  Prevention of birth defects begins before pregnancy!

It has been estimated that 1 of 33 babies are born with a birth defect. Birth defects are abnormal conditions that occur before the baby is born.. There are over 4,000 types of birth defects ranging from mild to serious. The most common forms are abnormalities of the heart and limbs. While many are treatable or even curable, birth defects are the leading cause of death in a child’s first year of life. The cause of most birth defects remains a mystery, but new research has found ways a mom-to-be can lessen the risk to her unborn baby. Prevention begins even before pregnancy.

Medicine- prescription and over-the-counter drugs can harm a developing fetus. For example, Accutane, used to treat acne, can cause malformations of the head, brain, and face. Anyone taking prescription drugs should be aware of any danger that drug poses on a fetus in the event of an unplanned pregnancy.

Infections- germs that normally cause mild or no complication in adults can be deadly to a developing fetus. It is essential that pregnant women practice good hygiene.

Toxic Substances- pregnant women should avoid certain substances that can pass through the placenta and into the baby. Such substances include; fumes from everyday chemicals like gasoline, paint, and pesticides; lead-based paints; and contaminated water. Cigarette smoke (her own or secondhand smoke) also poses a risk to an unborn baby.

Alcohol & Illegal Drugs- there is no safe amount or safe time to consume alcohol during a pregnancy. Any amount of alcohol can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Children with FAS may have permanent mental and behavioral deficits and malformed facial features. Cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and other illegal drugs are passed to an unborn baby and should be avoided.

Nutrition- women who eat foods high in folic acid or take a supplement two months before becoming pregnant dramatically reduce their risk of having a baby born with neural tube (spine and brain) defects and cleft lip and palate. Good sources of folic acid include wheat germ, kidney beans, spinach, broccoli, eggs, and beets. It is important to note that commonly used drugs (aspirin, antacids, birth control pills, and antibiotics) disrupt the body’s folate stores.

Steps You Can Take To Have A Healthy Baby:

• Eat right
• Take a multivitamin that has 400mcg of folic acid everyday
• Practice good hygiene
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs
• Talk with your doctor about any medical problems and/or medications you may be taking and the effect on an unborn baby
• Avoid environmental substances that may be harmful to a fetus
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat
• Best of all- Plan Your Pregnancy! By planning a pregnancy, a woman can take steps to better the environment in which her baby will be developing. (or growing?)

For more information on proper prenatal care, having a healthy pregnancy, or teen pregnancy prevention call Maternal Infant Services Network at 1-800-453-4666 or E-mail us at info@misn-ny.us. MISN is available to come to your school or community organization to do presentations and workshops on healthy pregnancies and related topics.

Julie Tresco is the educator for Maternal Infant Services Network of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Julie earned a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport.

For More Information on FREE or LOW COST Health Insurance, Prenatal Care or Breastfeeding Support Call 1-800-453-4666.