Healthy habits before – and during — pregnancy help reduce risk of congenital anomalies
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Awareness Month
1/30/2024
Nearly 120,000
babies are born with a birth defect in the US each year, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC defines
birth defects as structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any
body part or parts as well as how the body looks, works, or both. Also called
congenital anomalies, these conditions develop prenatally and may be identified
before or at birth, or later in life.
“There are many
things a mother can do to help decrease the risk of her baby being born with
malformations – even before conception,” explains Jenna
Kolodziej, DO, a board-certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist with Aspirus
Health. “Managing her own conditions and adopting healthy behaviors early
on offers baby a better chance at good health and living a full life.”
The CDC, American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend the following tips for a healthy mom and baby:
- Preconception care:
Having a preconception consultation with an obstetrician and gynecologist
(OB/GYN) is imperative. Dr. Kolodziej has a special interest in this type of
care, as important topics such as vitamins & supplements and managing
chronic conditions can be discussed and addressed before a child is conceived.
It's also important to see the provider regularly throughout pregnancy, so keep
all your prenatal care appointments.
- Folic acid: Folic
acid is crucial because it can help prevent some major anomalies of the
baby's brain and spine, such as spina bifida. A daily vitamin with 400
micrograms (mcg) of folic acid should be taken at least one month before
becoming pregnant and then continued throughout the pregnancy.
- Proper nutrition:
Eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean
proteins can help promote a healthy pregnancy.
- Managing chronic
conditions: Women with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy,
lupus, and asthma should work closely with their health care providers to
manage these conditions before and during pregnancy. Both the conditions
themselves and medications needed to manage them may present a risk to baby.
- Vaccinations: Vaccines help
protect you and your developing baby against serious diseases. You’ll also want
to ensure you have immunity to rubella (German measles) and whooping cough.
- Avoiding risky
behaviors: Abstaining from alcohol, illicit drugs, and smoking can help reduce
the risk of congenital anomalies and other complications during pregnancy. Did
you know that consuming unpasteurized dairy products and changing the cat’s
dirty litter box can also put you at risk for serious bacterial infections? And
be diligent about washing your hands.
It’s not always
possible to prevent all congenital anomalies but following a healthy lifestyle
and working closely with your OB/GYN can help reduce the risk.
“From the time the
miracle starts, with conception – and then all the things that happen – many
things have to go right,” reminds Dr. Kolodziej.
Dr. Kolodziej sees
patients at Aspirus Plover Clinic - Vern Holmes Drive and Aspirus Riverview
Clinic - Wisconsin Rapids. To schedule an appointment, call 715.344.1600
(Aspirus Plover) or 715.422.7750 (Aspirus Riverview). To find an Aspirus OB/GYN
doctor in your area, visit www.aspirus.org/find-a-provider.
Back to all Posts