Great Mothering Begins Before Birth
January 1, 2025
The last thing an expectant mother wants is the unexpected. Even with the many miracles of modern medicine, however, childbirth will likely never be 100% foolproof. That’s why it’s important to know some essential things pregnant moms can do to improve their odds of birthing a healthy baby.
That’s the message of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, designated each January to raise awareness about birth defects and how to prevent them.
Each year, approximately 120,000 babies in the United States are born with a birth defect – that’s about 1 in every 33 babies, which correlates to one baby born with a birth defect every 4.5 minutes.
Birth defects include conditions that can affect a baby’s health before birth and can vary greatly in how they affect the body. Examples include cleft lip, clubfoot, Down syndrome, heart problems, missing limbs, and spina bifida, among others.
While the causes of birth defects are still mostly unknown, the medical community has identified a handful of factors that increase the risk of such defects. Not surprisingly, several of them tend to have a negative health impact on both mother and baby. These factors include:
- Lack of folic acid
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking cigarettes
- Using drugs
- Medication use
- Obesity or uncontrolled diabetes
Every mom wants to bring a healthy, happy child into the world. By taking four essential actions, mothers-to-be can greatly improve their chances of developing and birthing a child free of the defects listed above. Once you determine you are pregnant, be vigilant about the following:
- Take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before and during early pregnancy.
- Reduce your risk of infections through good hygiene (especially handwashing) and avoiding places that expose you to germs.
- Avoid harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
- Schedule regular visits with your OB/GYN to support a healthy pregnancy.
The women’s services team at Southwestern Medical Center is ready and willing to support you through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. We can guide you through best practices to prevent birth defects, comfort and ease you through childbirth, and give you the care you deserve post-pregnancy.
Click here to learn more. We would enjoy nothing more than helping you bring a beautiful baby into the world.