Preventing Birth Defects

Came across this article from Baby Zone while surfing the net.  Just want to share this to all pregnant (and those planning to get pregnant) women out there.  We've got nothing to lose if we follow this.  After all, we're all praying for the same thing --- a healthy, normal and happy baby. :-)

10 Ways to Help Prevent Birth Defects Before and During Pregnancy

1.  Take Folic Acid Supplements

All women of childbearing age should take folic acid supplements at least three months before becoming pregnant. It's important because insufficient levels of folate have been implicated as the cause of one common class of birth defects, neural tube defects (the most common of these being spina bifida). These defects occur very early in the pregnancy, well before the woman's first prenatal appointment, which is generally scheduled at 10 weeks. However, don't go overboard with the supplements—too much is also not good. A multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid is sufficient.

2.  See Your Doctor Before Conceiving

There's a growing movement to make the preconception doctor visit standard for every woman of childbearing age. Dr. John R. Sussman, an OB-GYN and author of The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, says his primary interest in encouraging pre-pregnancy visits is so pre-pregnancy care can be individualized for each woman. This is particularly important for women with chronic health conditions.

3.  Don't Drink

One entirely avoidable birth defect is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Damage from alcohol can range from mild intellectual and behavioral issues to profound disabilities or premature death. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

4.  Stop Smoking and Avoid Secondhand Smoke

According to the March of Dimes, if all pregnant women avoided smoking, the US would see a 5 percent reduction in miscarriages, a 20 percent reduction in low birth weight births, an 8 percent reduction in premature deliveries, an 11 percent reduction in stillbirths, and a 5 percent reduction in newborn deaths. While smoking has not been proven to cause birth defects, it does deprive the fetus of oxygen and is the most harmful of all environmental toxins.

5.  Avoid Environmental Toxins

Chemicals have long been suspected of causing birth defects. Avoid daily, heavy exposure to chemicals. If you work in a cleaning business, art studio, or factory where there is unavoidable exposure, use gloves, masks, and adequate ventilation. Avoid exposure to lead, important when buying and restoring old furniture or renovating an older home. Those who work in the medical field should take special care to take precautions against radiation.

6.  Eat Healthy

Good nutrition is one of the most crucial factors in a healthy pregnancy outcome, says Elizabeth Somer, a nutritionist and author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy. Somer says she hates to isolate one particular nutrient, rather, she encourages women to focus on eating a variety of healthy foods, with a particular emphasis on richly colored produce, whole grains, beans and legumes, and lean protein sources. She also recommends taking a supplement fortified with DHA, which is the nutrient provided by foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

7.  Screen for HPV

While the human papillomavirus (HPV) has not been linked to birth defects, it has been linked to an increased risk of preterm labor, which can result in serious brain and lung impairment in children. It's estimated that at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives.

8.  Go Drug Free

It goes without saying that illegal drugs are always bad. However, many prescription drugs are not safe to take during pregnancy. Always consult with your OB-GYN so he or she can do a thorough review of any prescription medicine you may be taking, especially for chronic conditions, to determine if they're safe in pregnancy.

9.  Seek Genetic Counseling

The cause of most birth defects isn't known, but couples with a history of birth defects in their family may benefit from genetic screening to analyze their risk of passing on a birth defect to their child. Michele Clemens, a genetic counselor at Magee Women's Hospital in Oakland, Pennsylvania, says a typical session includes a review of the family history and performing a few tests to rule out specific diseases. This is an excellent tool for helping a couple make informed decisions. (Will you do genetic counseling?)

10.  Relax

Research shows that women exposed to severe stress are more likely to give birth to children with birth defects. Stress has also been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and infertility. Dr. Alice Domar, director of the Mind/Body center for Women's Health at Boston IVF, says there are a number of ways to manage stress, from counseling to yoga to biofeedback, and that a consultation with a psychologist can help.