How to Prevent Birth Defects While Pregnant -

If you’re thinking about becoming a parent, planning ahead is essential. Taking certain steps can boost your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby–and that includes educating yourself about birth defects. In this article, you’ll learn how to prevent birth defects while pregnant, using healthcare and simple, natural lifestyle habits. But first, let’s explore the prevalence of birth defects, and highlight the most common ones.

What are the chances of birth defects impacting your child?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, about 1 in 33 babies in the U.S. is born with a birth defect. These defects often take shape during the first three months of pregnancy as a baby’s organs are developing. They can appear as structural changes in different parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, and limbs. And they can dramatically impact a baby’s:

Growth and development
Physical and daily functioning
Cognitive capabilities
Long-term health
Lifespan

Birth defects are also one of the leading causes of infant death. So it’s key to understand and take steps to prevent them.

Common birth defects

Genetics, behaviors, and environmental factors all play a role in the risk of birth defects. Here are some of the most common ones:

Cleft lip and palate: These are defects of the mouth and lips that are correctable with surgery. As the child grows, he or she might need additional surgeries, special dental care, and speech therapy.
Clubfoot: This defect causes a baby’s foot to turn inward; it looks as if the bottom of the foot is facing sideways or upward. With early treatment, such as stretching, casting, or braces, children can usually walk, run, and play pain-free.
Congenital heart defects (CHDs): These are the most prevalent types of birth defects. They affect the structure and/or function of the heart, and can be life-threatening. Babies with severe cases might need surgery and other treatments within their first year.
Hearing loss: This defect can hinder a baby’s ability to develop speaking, language, and social skills. Treatment may include hearing aids, medications, surgery, and/or speech therapy, depending on the severity.
Spina bifida: This is a neural tube defect linked to genetic and environmental factors (such as folic acid deficiency) that impacts spine and spinal cord development. It ranges from mild to severe, but is often treated with surgery and physical therapy.. Severe cases can lead to mobility challenges, organ issues, or paralysis.

According to Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, Senior Vice President of March of Dimes, a non-profit organization focused on improving mothers’ and babies’ health, “It’s critical that women who are planning to conceive or are pregnant adopt healthy behaviors to reduce the chances of having a baby with birth defects.”

Can birth defects be prevented?

Unfortunately, not all birth defects can be prevented. Some, including those stemming from genetic factors, are out of your control.

But many manifest due to environmental, behavioral, and lifestyle factors. By making healthy choices, you can significantly reduce your baby’s risk.

How to prevent birth defects while pregnant

The most effective ways to prevent birth defects include:

Have a pre-pregnancy checkup.

It’s essential to consult your healthcare provider before you even get pregnant–especially if you have preexisting health conditions. Talk to your doctor about:

Appropriate treatments for health conditions
All prescription medicines you’re taking
Any over-the-counter medicines
Vitamins
Other supplements

This step is crucial to make sure nothing you consume can harm the baby. You can also address any other concerns that might impact your pregnancy. Have this conversation with your healthcare provider before each and every pregnancy.

Take folic acid.

Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube defects like spina bifida. It’s a man-made form of folate (vitamin B9), which naturally occurs in foods such as:

Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
Citrus fruits (especially oranges and grapefruit)
Black beans

To support your baby’s growth and well-being, start taking a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid as early as possible. Then increase your dosage to 600 micrograms daily throughout your pregnancy.It’s also beneficial to incorporate folate-rich foods into your diet. Enjoy the previously mentioned options regularly, and on occasion, you can opt for folic-acid-fortified foods, such as:

Breads
Pasta
Cereals
Foods made from fortified corn masa flour, such as cornbread, corn tortillas, and tamales

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

It’s vital to achieve a healthy weight before getting pregnant. Being overweight can:

Impact fertility
Increase the risk of birth defects
Lead to other pregnancy complications

Excess body fat can affect the absorption and metabolism of folic acid, limiting your baby’s protection from neural tube defects. Pregnancy already increases your folic acid requirements, and obese women often need even higher doses. What’s more, obesity can cause metabolic changes that affect the development of the baby’s heart, increasing the risk of certain heart defects. Atrial septal defects are one issue associated with higher maternal body mass index (BMI).To manage your weight, focus on eating whole, nutrient-dense foods, such as:

Lean meats like chicken and fish
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains, such as quinoa and oats

Also, get plenty of exercise. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week during pregnancy, which can be divided into 30-minute sessions. If 30 minutes at a time feels too demanding, break down workouts into three 10-minute intervals throughout the day.

Avoid harmful substances.

Cigarettes and even e-cigarettes are brimming with harmful chemicals. These substances can enter your baby’s blood stream and damage the placenta, leading to birth defects like cleft lip and palate. So if you smoke or vape, now is the time to quit. Also, research confirms that it’s not safe to drink alcohol at any point during pregnancy. In the first trimester, it can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. At any stage, alcohol can also disrupt the development of the baby’s brain and vital organs, raising the risk of:

Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Premature delivery

Another substance that’s dangerous during pregnancy is opioids. These medications can lead to:

Birth defects
Poor fetal growth
Preterm birth
Stillbirth

They can also cause neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), triggering serious symptoms in your newborn, including:

Tremors
Respiratory issues
Feeding difficulties
Sleep problems
Irritability and excessive crying
Increased sweating
Seizures, in severe cases

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, changing, or discontinuing any medications.It’s also important to be mindful of what substances you’re exposed to in other ways. Many household products contain harmful chemicals that can increase the risk of birth defects. Some of these include:

Household cleaners
Pesticides
Personal care items

Instead of conventional cleaning products, consider using vinegar. And swap out toxic personal care products for items labeled “fragrance-free” and “phthalate-free.” You can find many clean, safe recommendations on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) website.

Manage overheating and fever.

The final way to prevent birth defects is to avoid overheating–especially during early pregnancy. Common causes include:

Intense exercise
Outdoor activities in high-temperatures
Sauna or hot tub usage
Fever

Research highlights an increased risk of neural tube defects in babies whose mothers experienced high body temperatures or fever before the sixth week of pregnancy. So, to be on the safe side, avoid high-heat activities and environments until after your baby is born. And if you develop a fever higher than 101°F, seek treatment immediately. Not all birth defects are preventable. However, staying well-informed and making healthy choices can eliminate some of the risk and set you up for a healthy pregnancy and baby.For more information, check out the March of Dimes website and the CDC’s web page dedicated to birth defects. Here, you’ll find a plethora of resources to help you and your growing family thrive.

References:

Data and Statistics on Birth Defects

A review of key terminology and definitions used for birth defects globally – PMC

Interventions to Reduce the Impact of Birth Defects

Prevalence of congenital cardiac anomalies in patients with cleft lip and palate – Its implications in surgical management – PMC

Cleft Lip & Palate | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Acute therapy of newborns with critical congenital heart disease – PMC

Current diagnosis and treatments for critical congenital heart defects – PMC

Congenital hearing loss – PMC

Spina Bifida | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Infant Mortality Attributable to Birth Defects — United States, 2003–2017 | MMWR

Preconception Care: A Strategic Intervention for the Prevention of Neonatal and Birth Disorders – PMC