Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

A fetal defect is a complication that happens to an unborn baby while growing in the uterus.Most fetal malformations usually occur in the first trimester (first 3 months). Birth defects can include differences in body shape, function, or both. About 4% of children are born with birth defects, regardless of the mother's pregnancy status. However, defects can be caused by a variety of causes, including: infection, chemical exposure, drug and alcohol abuse. Here are steps you can take to prevent birth defects, and increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Lifestyle changes

1. 

   Avoid alcoholic beverages. Do not drink beer, alcohol, heavy alcohol or any other alcoholic beverage during conception or pregnancy. There is no safe limit on the amount of alcohol you are allowed to drink during pregnancy, and when you do consume these drinks, the alcohol goes directly from the mother's bloodstream into the fetus.
   • Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Disorders Syndrome (FASDs). One of the most serious is Fetal Alcohol Poisoning Syndrome (FAS). FAS is a major cause of intellectual disability in the US and is preventable.
   • Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can also lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.

2. 

   
   
   Give up smoking. There is no safe smoke limit for pregnant women and babies, so you should always avoid smoking and passive smoking during conception and pregnancy.
   • Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, fetal malformations such as cleft palate or cleft palate, and stillbirth. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a miscarriage. Smoking has also been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

3. 

   
   
   Talk to your doctor about medications. Medicines that can be bought over-the-counter, as well as prescription drugs, are often considered "teratogenic" agents, and pose a lot of potential for birth defects. If you are already on medication, talk to your doctor before deciding to conceive.
   • Teratogenic drugs are most dangerous between the first and eighth weeks of pregnancy, a period when many women often fail to realize they are pregnant. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor when you are on medication and are planning to become pregnant.
   • There are many drugs that are classified as teratogenic, including antibiotics, lithium, thyroid and cancer medications, blood thinners, acne medications, male hormones, and antiepileptic drugs. , antidepressants ... You can find a list of high-risk drugs here.

4. 

   
   
   Refuse or stop using illegal drugs. The use of substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin can lead to serious complications during and after pregnancy. Such stimulants, as well as other illegal substances, must be avoided at all costs during conception and pregnancy.
   • Cocaine, heroin and other illegal stimulants can cause premature birth, low birth weight, heart defects, and other complications in a newborn. In addition, a baby whose mother used cocaine or heroin during pregnancy may also be addicted to the substances since birth, and will experience painful withdrawal symptoms.
   • The use of cocaine during pregnancy can lead to defects in the limbs, intestines, kidneys, urinary system, and heart. It can also cause microcephaly, a condition that leads to abnormally small brain growth. This can also be a harm from cocaine. Cocaine also often causes placenta abortion, which can be fatal for both mother and fetus.
   • Heroin use can cause breathing problems, hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) and other defects. Heroin and other drugs also cause withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to treat in infants.

5. 

   Avoid exposure to environmental toxins. There are many common chemicals, pesticides and other toxic gases that can cause birth defects, and situations of exposure to them should be avoided.
   • The list of hazardous toxins is very long, and exposure can occur in a variety of ways: interior remodeling or painting, farm work, using contaminated water, living near the area. There are many hazardous wastes ...
   • The most common toxins that mothers are often exposed to are pesticides (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides), solvents (oil paints, paint thinners, nail polish removers). ), and dyes (metallic colors, interior paints, fabric dyes). For a more complete list of toxins, click here.
   • For details on the risks posed by environmental toxins and exposure situations, see here.
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Part 2 of 3: Physical preparation

1. 

   Plan to have a baby. Since most fetal defects occur within the first 3 months of pregnancy, it is imperative that you be sure that you are pregnant. You should talk to your doctor before you become pregnant to discuss your family and medication history.
   • Planning a pregnancy with the advice of a doctor is very important, especially for women who have had a baby with a disability.
   • Planning your pregnancy will give you time to let go of bad habits like smoking and drinking, and prepare yourself physically for the big event to come.
   • You can also order prenatal screening to see if birth defects are likely or will happen. These tests include: carrier testing - to see if you or your husband carry the bad genes, in addition have screening and diagnostic tests to anticipate risks and detect disorders. genetic disorder.

2. 

   Absorb folic acid. This vitamin is essential in preventing neural tube defects in a child's brain and spine, including partial brain and spina defect, respectively. It is recommended that pregnant women consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily. You should begin taking folic acid at least 3 months before you become pregnant.
   • The safest course of action is to make sure you take 400 mcg of folic acid daily before getting pregnant, and continue to absorb this amount for at least the first three months of pregnancy.
   • Good sources of folic acid include whole grains, spinach, beans, asparagus, oranges and peanuts. However, the easiest way to get the right amount of folic acid is through multivitamin. Talk to your doctor about the uses and benefits of folic acid.

3. 

   Change your diet. Certain foods may contain toxins for you and your unborn baby, including mercury, salmonella, listeria, shigella and "E.coli", and so you must avoid them. them before conception and during pregnancy.
   • Avoid fish such as swordfish, shark, tilefish and mackerel, as they contain high levels of mercury, which can affect hearing and vision, as well as brain damage.
   • Do not eat raw fish or shellfish while you are pregnant. Avoid sushi and sasimi, oysters, clams and oysters.
   • Food poisoning is very dangerous for the fetus. Always cook poultry, livestock and eggs, and avoid canned meats, hot dogs, and foods containing raw or undercooked eggs.

4. 

   Healthy living. The healthier your body is, the lower the risk of an unborn baby being born. It is important to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and keep your body weight under control.
   • A well-balanced diet consists of: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, 2-3 servings of dairy products (low-fat) per day, protein-rich foods per day, and 2 servings of fish per week. Carefully test food for mercury or other toxins. For more information on maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy, see here.
   • Talk to your doctor before starting or continuing an exercise regimen, especially if you have a medical condition (heart disease, high blood pressure ...) that could be dangerous for you and your pregnancy. children.
   • 30 minutes of light exercise each day is recommended for pregnant women. Healthy activities include: spot cycling, swimming, light aerobics, and especially walking. Note to drink enough water and avoid overheating.
   • Obesity increases the risk of birth defects, including heart complications and spina bifida. Therefore, you must maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your weight under control before becoming pregnant. The ideal body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 25, 30 and above is considered obese.
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Part 3 of 3: Maintaining a healthy body

1. 

   Control of chronic diseases. If you are experiencing a medical condition that fatigue during pregnancy, or could put your unborn baby in danger, talk to your doctor about ways to manage it.
   • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes puts a woman at a higher risk of miscarriage, and can cause various types of fetal malformations in the brain, spine, heart, kidneys, and other organs.
   • Gestational diabetes can affect all women, but women older than 25, who have a relative who has had diabetes, or who are not Caucasian are at an increased risk of gestational diabetes. It can cause overweight, premature birth, low blood sugar and the risk of type 2 diabetes in the newborn.
   • Pay particular attention to epilepsy, obesity, and high blood pressure while planning a pregnancy, and talk to your doctor about the risks these conditions may pose to pregnancy.

2. 

   Beware of infectious diseases. There are infectious diseases that will cause birth defects, and so you must carefully stay away from situations that could lead to infection, and make sure you get vaccinated on time.
   • Rubella (German measles) is extremely dangerous and can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Make sure you talk to your doctor before you get pregnant to have a blood test for immunity to this disease.
   • Parasitic infections can cause hearing and vision problems, as well as intellectual disability. The parasite spreads through eating and drinking unwashed vegetables, raw or undercooked meat, as well as exposure to animal waste (especially cats). Always wash and cook vegetables and meat, use gloves when gardening, and (if possible) avoid cleaning sand for pets.
   • Cytomegalo virus can cause hearing and vision problems, as well as intellectual disabilities, and is spread through urine and other body fluids in children. If you are around children often, you should use gloves when changing diapers and wash your hands often.

3. 

   See your doctor regularly. Talking with your doctor before and during pregnancy is important to preventing birth defects. See your doctor before getting pregnant to discuss your and family medical history, and start taking care of your maternity as soon as you get pregnant. advertisement

Advice

• Avoid saunas, hot tubs and hot water. Too much heat can be harmful during pregnancy.
• Limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine is commonly found in coffee, tea, carbonated drinks and chocolate. Read the labels before cutting back on caffeine. You may be surprised to learn that more than 200 foods, drinks and over-the-counter drugs contain caffeine.
• Avoid contact with rodents! This includes both guinea pigs and hamsters. Do not touch their whereabouts because there is feces and urine there. Call the animal control team to get rid of rats in the house. If you have pet rats, they should be kept in a separate area in the home. Let family members clean the barn and feed the pets.
• Toxoplasmosis infection will seriously harm the fetus. Avoid eating undercooked meat in particular and never touch your cat's litter box. Always wear gloves when gardening.
• If you need dental exams or tests during pregnancy, tell your dentist or doctor that you are pregnant. You will need more care if they plan to have your X-rays taken.
• If your family has ever had problems with the pregnancy, or had a fetal malformation, seek advice from your doctor about them. A genetic counselor can give you the additional information you need when deciding to build a family.
• Being overweight or underweight while wearing the ear can also cause many problems. If possible, keep your weight gain or loss within 6kg of your ideal weight before pregnancy. Once you're pregnant, don't skip meals or skip meals as your weight increases. You and your baby need to get enough calories and nutrients from a healthy meal during pregnancy.
• Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any of the following:
  
  
  • Pain - any type of pain
  • Serious cramps
  • There are problems with walking
  • Rapidly breath
  • Edema
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Dizziness
  • Faint
  • The fetus is inactive
  • Uterine contractions
  • Leaks amniotic fluid
  • Heart palpitations (heart pounding)
  • Heart beat fast
  • Persistent dizziness and vomiting
• Dizziness, upset stomachs and morning sickness are common in new pregnant mothers. Food you used to like may make you feel nauseous. If that happens, you can replace the dish with healthier and more beneficial foods. Instead of three big meals a day, eat 5 to 6 small meals a day.

Warning

• Do not use banned drugs while pregnant.
• Not exposed to toxic solvents, especially solvents, mercury and lead, insecticides and paints.
• Do not drink alcohol while pregnant.