Shining a Light on Birth Defects

What are birth defects? What causes birth defects? How can I prevent birth defects? What makes a healthy pregnancy? What do I do if my baby has a birth defect?

What are birth defects?

Birth defects refer to any sort of medical condition a baby might have from birth. Some are visible, but many are internal and not all are permanent or life-threatening. They are also more common than you think: approximately 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect.

Some of the more well-known birth defects include:

●      Cleft lips and palates

●      Congenital heart conditions

●      Down syndrome

●      Clubfoot

●      Fetal alcohol syndrome

Birth defects are caused by a variety of factors, but there are also steps you can take during pregnancy to limit your risk. 

What causes birth defects?

Most birth defects develop within the first three months of pregnancy, though many won’t be diagnosed until much later on. Some of these defects are genetic, like Down Syndrome, but many are caused by a combination of pregnancy complications, chemical/substance exposure, or medication side effects. 

There are also some groups of people more likely to have children with birth defects, including women over the age of 34, those with uncontrolled diabetes, and those with a history of birth defects in either parent’s family history.

That said, there are many steps you can take to help prevent birth defects.

How do I prevent birth defects?

Not all birth defects are within your control, but a healthy pregnancy goes a long way towards a healthy baby.

Some simple ways to reduce the risk of birth defects include:

●      Keeping a healthy weight, including lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet

●      Taking prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid

●      Avoiding potentially harmful activities and substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs

●      Taking steps to avoid infections, including regular hand washing and avoiding areas with outbreaks

●      Staying away from harsh chemicals in the home or outside

Of course, one of the most important ways to keep mother and baby healthy during a pregnancy and birth is to talk to your OBGYN and receive regular screenings. Sometimes the first step to addressing a birth defect is diagnosing it. Some medical professionals can also help avoid certain genetic birth defects with family planning.

Birth defects can be scary, but talking about them doesn’t have to be. To schedule a Well Woman exam or find out more about our Women’s Health and OBGYN services, visit sachealth.org/appointments.