January: Birth Defects Prevention Month
Each year in the United States, about 1 in 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Pregnant women can take steps to prevent birth defects by:
- Getting enough folic acid in their diet
- Not drinking, smoking, or using drugs
- Staying away from cat litter
- Avoiding undercooked meat
- Going to the doctor for prenatal care
Birth defects are problems that happen when the baby is growing inside the mother’s body. They usually happen in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Some birth defects are caused by things in the environment (such as germs or chemicals). Other birth defects are genetic. Some examples of birth defects are Down syndrome, cleft lip or cleft palate, heart defects, and neural tube defects (problems with the baby’s brain or spine).
Sources: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC;
March of Dimes
 Focus On: Folic Acid
The Basics
Women need 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need even more.
Folic acid is a B vitamin. The easiest way to get folic acid is to eat a breakfast cereal that has 100% of the folic acid you need each day (check the label). You can also take a multivitamin with folic acid or take a folic acid pill.
The Benefits
Taking folic acid can prevent birth defects. Women need folic acid the most during the first few weeks of pregnancy, before many women realize they are pregnant.
Even if you are not planning to have a baby, it’s still important to get enough folic acid in your diet every day. Both adults and children need folic acid to make healthy new cells.
Get Started!
Check labels to find foods with folic acid in them. Sometimes the label will say “folate.” This is the same thing as folic acid. Visit http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp#h2 for a list of foods with folic acid.
- Look for cereals that have 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid. Check www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/cereals.htm for a list.
- Take a multivitamin at the same time every day. Make it easy to remember. Take it when you
eat your breakfast or brush
your teeth.
Sources: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC; National Health Information Center, Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH
Prevention Tips: Infections
Talk to your doctor about vaccinations (shots).
Some are recommended before you become pregnant, during pregnancy, or right after delivery.
Having the right vaccinations at the right time can keep you healthy and help keep your baby from getting very sick or having lifelong health problems.
Source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC |
If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, you don’t want to get sick with an infection. Some infections during pregnancy can hurt both you and your growing baby. Here are some tips to prevent infection and help keep your unborn baby safe. If you think you might have an infection or think you are at risk, see your doctor.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially when:
- Using the bathroom or changing diapers
- Preparing food and eating
- Gardening or touching dirt or soil
- Handling pets
- Being around people who are sick
- Caring for and playing with children
- Try not to share forks, cups, and food with young children.
- Cook your meat until it’s well done. Do not eat hot dogs, lunch meats, or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
- Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and foods made from it. Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, brie, and queso fresco unless they have labels that say they are pasteurized.
- Do not touch or change dirty cat litter. Have someone else do it. If you must change the litter yourself, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
Source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
National Health Observances— January 2008
For a comprehensive list of 2008
National Health Observances, visit: www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho
Resources
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