Every 4 1/2 minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. In honor of January as National Birth Defects Prevention Month, the Hawaii Chapter of the March of Dimes is actively focusing on raising awareness
Every 4 1/2 minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. In honor of January as National Birth Defects Prevention Month, the Hawaii Chapter of the March of Dimes is actively focusing on raising awareness about the frequency with which birth defects occur and the steps that can be taken to prevent them. The risk for many types of birth defects can be reduced through healthy lifestyle choices and medical care before and during pregnancy.
There are many different kinds of birth defects including congenital heart defects, cleft lip or palate, defects of the brain, bones, muscles and internal organs, and a variety of genetic syndromes such as Down syndrome. Some have only a minor effect on a baby’s health while others have life-threatening or life-long effects.
More than 120,000 babies are born with a birth defect each year in the United States. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, approximately 4 percent of babies born in Hawaii are born with a birth defect.
The three most common categories of birth defects in Hawaii are cardiac and circulatory disorders, limb and musculoskeletal defects, and genital and urinary conditions Birth defects are one of the most common causes of death in infants. Public awareness, expert medical care, accurate and early diagnosis and social support systems are all essential for optimal prevention and treatment of these all-too-common and often deadly conditions.
A healthy pregnancy starts before a woman gets pregnant. Here are some you can before pregnancy to help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby:
• Get a preconception checkup to make sure you’re healthy when you get pregnant. Get chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes under control. Once you’re pregnant, get early and regular prenatal care.
• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Rubella (German measles) and chickenpox can cause birth defects if you get them during pregnancy.
• Get a dental checkup. If you have gum disease, getting treatment before pregnancy may prevent health problems in you and your baby.
• Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin that it can help prevent neural tubes defects such as spina bifida.
• Get to a healthy weight. Overweight and underweight women are more likely than woman of a healthy weight to have pregnancy problems
• Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs. All of these things can harm your baby during pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you need help to quit.
• Get help if you’ve been abused by your partner. Abuse may get worse during pregnancy.
• Reduce the stress in your life. Too much stress can cause problems during pregnancy.
• Lin Joseph is director of program services for March of Dimes Hawaii Chapter.
