In observance of Birth Defects Awareness Month, physicians at Atrium Health Navicent encourage expectant mothers and women of child-bearing age to become educated about steps they can take to prevent and detect birth defects.
Birth defects — structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body — affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year and are the leading cause of infant deaths, accounting for 20 percent of all infant deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Of the 130,000 babies born each year in Georgia, 3,940 have birth defects, and 1 in 6 infant deaths in Georgia is due to birth defects, according to The March of Dimes.
Advancements in medicine and surgery have led to better survival, and more children born with birth defects grow up to lead full lives. The most common birth defects are congenital heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, and spina bifida. Awareness of birth defects helps families get the information they need to seek proper care before, during, and after pregnancy.
Birth defects can happen for many reasons. Although not all birth defects can be prevented, women can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant.
“Prenatal care that begins early and continues throughout a pregnancy is critical in preventing and detecting birth defects,” said Dr. Misti Patel, director of Atrium Health Navicent Women’s Care Maternal Fetal Medicine. “It’s recommended that pregnant women schedule their first prenatal visit early in the first trimester allowing an OB-GYN to review their medical history, medications and lifestyle to make modifications that may lower the chance of birth defects. Testing may also be recommended to determine if a patient is at high risk for birth defects or genetic disorders.”
Here are seven steps women can take to get ready for pregnancy, stay healthy during pregnancy, and give babies a healthy start in life:
• Get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body at least one month before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the developing baby’s brain and spine. Women can get folic acid from fortified foods or supplements, in addition to a varied diet rich in folate.
• Prevent infections. Some infections that a woman might get during pregnancy can be harmful to the developing baby. Vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine and Tdap (adult tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine), are specifically recommended during pregnancy.
• See a health care professional regularly. Be sure to see a doctor when planning a pregnancy and start prenatal care as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor about your current medications, as certain medications can cause serious birth defects when taken during pregnancy.
• Keep diabetes under control. Unmanaged diabetes can increase the chance for birth defects and other problems during pregnancy. Monitor your blood sugar levels, follow a healthy eating plan developed with your health care provider, be physically active, and take insulin as directed.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol in a woman’s bloodstream passes to the developing baby through the umbilical cord. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of disabilities. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including wines and beer.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes and marijuana. The dangers of smoking during pregnancy include preterm birth, certain birth defects, and infant death. Quitting smoking before becoming pregnant is best. For a woman who is already pregnant, quitting as early as possible can still help protect against some health problems for the baby, such as low birth weight. Marijuana use during pregnancy also may be linked to lower birth weight. Women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should not use marijuana.
• Avoid overheating and treat fever promptly. During pregnancy, a woman should avoid overheating and treat fever promptly. Overheating can be caused by a fever or exposure to high temperatures (such as getting in a hot tub) that increases a woman’s core temperature. Overheating can increase a woman’s chance of having a baby with certain birth defects.
As part of Atrium Health Navicent’s ongoing effort to improve maternal health, the health system has raised awareness for racial disparities affecting care through community forums and recently received a Healthcare Georgia Foundation grant to support high risk obstetrics patients with the aid of a care coordinator to help patients who may face barriers to accessing health care. The care coordinator will educate patients about the importance of prenatal visits and provide support to assist patients in keeping their appointments. Atrium Health Navient has also expanded access to OB/GYN care by providing services in Forsyth at Atrium Health Navicent Women’s Care OBGYN.
Physicians at Atrium Health Navicent Women’s Care Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital play a critical role in identifying birth defects during pregnancy, which allows for early recognition and intervention following delivery.
“Birth Defect Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about early identification of birth defects, spread the word about advances in medical and surgical interventions and allow families to have an opportunity to seek proper care that’s leading to more babies surviving and leading fuller, healthier lives,” said Dr. Mitch Rodriguez, a neonatologist and medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and business development officer for Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital.
To find a doctor, visit www.NavicentHealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”
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