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Tips for Preventing Birth Defects

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Take 400 Micrograms of Folic Acid Daily

Women are urged to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily at least one month before conceiving and throughout pregnancy. Everyone needs folic acid, which is a B vitamin essential for the synthesis of new cells. During pregnancy, the body’s demand for folic acid increases. A deficiency leads to neural tube defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida, in the unborn child. Anencephaly is a devastating birth defect characterized by the absence of most or all of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Spina bifida is the most common cause of infantile paralysis. You can meet the recommended daily requirement by taking a multivitamin containing 100% of the daily value of folic acid, a folic acid supplement or eating a bowl of breakfast cereal fortified with 100% of the daily value of folic acid. Photo: Getty Images

Avoid Alcoholic Beverages

During pregnancy, any alcohol a woman consumes passes from her bloodstream, through the placenta, and to her baby through the umbilical cord. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASP are a group of conditions characterized by abnormal physical features such as small head size and a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip. A child with FASD displays poor coordination, hyperactive behavior and learning disabilities. There can be vision and hearing problems as well as heart, kidney and bone problems. Women, who are pregnant or considering pregnancy, are urged to avoid alcoholic beverages. With alcohol, there is no safe type, amount, or time to consume during pregnancy. Photo: Getty Images

Do Not Smoke

Smoking is hazardous to everyone’s health. It leads to lung cancer, lung disease such as emphysema, heart disease, stroke and cataracts. Quitting the habit is a good thing, especially for women who are considering pregnancy. Women who smoke during pregnancy put their babies at high risk for premature birth, cleft lip and cleft palate, placental abruption and death from sudden infant death syndrome. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta peels away from the uterine wall. Severe cases deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients thus increasing the risk for poor fetal growth and still birth. It is never too early or too late for a woman to quit smoking. Second hand smoke should be avoided because it puts both mother and child at risk for health problems. Photo: Getty Images

Tell The Doctor Your Medications

Certain medications such as isotretinoin, also known as Accutane, are know to cause serious birth defects. Even small amounts of this prescription drug used to treat severe acne increases the risk for hydrocephaly or enlargement of the fluid-filled areas of the brain, microcephaly or a small head and brain, mental retardation, cleft palate, congenital heart defects and abnormalities of the eyes and ears. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and are taking any medications for health issues; this includes prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and dietary products. Photo: Getty Images

Do Not Use Illegal Drugs

If you use illegal drugs, quit before becoming pregnant. The use of illegal or “street” drugs leads to serious birth defects. Marijuana use during pregnancy is thought to slow fetal growth and increase the risk for premature birth. Maternal use of methamphetamine or crystal meth increases the risk for poor fetal growth, congenital heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate. Cocaine use during pregnancy increases the risk for placental abruption, a baby born with a smaller head and defects of the genitals, kidneys and brain. Any drugs used during pregnancy pass from the mother’s bloodstream and cross the placenta to the baby. Elimination of the drug is slower in a fetus than in an adult, thus, the drug remains in the baby’s body much longer than in an adult’s body. Photo: Getty Images

Prevent Infections

Women who have never had rubella, German measles, and those who have not been vaccinated against this disease are advised to be vaccinated and wait at least one month before becoming pregnant. The rubella vaccine should not be given during pregnancy. Exposure to rubella during pregnancy can cause deafness, mental retardation, congenital heart defects and blindness in the unborn child. Developing toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a parasite, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects including hearing loss, vision problems and mental retardation. The disease is caused by parasites that live in soil. Infection results from eating raw or undercooked meat and unwashed vegetables. Contact with animal feces, especially cat feces, is another source of contamination. Pregnant women are urged to eat well-cooked meat, wear gloves while gardening and handling unwashed vegetables, and have someone else empty the litter box. Photo: Getty Images

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