Ways to Prevent Birth Defects Before and During Pregnancy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), birth defects affect about one in every 33 babies born in the U.S. each year and account for more then 20 percent of all infant deaths. The cause of most birth defects is unknown, however, some birth defects can be prevented by taking certain measures before and during pregnancy. Folic acid can help prevent brain and spine birth defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, when a woman gets enough of the vitamin before and during pregnancy. In order to do this, it is recommended that women who are pregnant and those who expect to become pregnant eat foods rich in folic acid, or foods enriched with the vitamin. Some cereals contain 100 percent of the daily value of folic acid, so eating a serving for breakfast can help get the recommended value. Aside from breads, pastas and cereals fortified with the vitamin, women can also get more folic acid in their diet by eating green leafy vegetables, oranges, orange juice and dried beans. They should also take a multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Women expecting to become pregnant should see their doctor before becoming pregnant. Pregnant women should have regular pre-natal visits with their doctor to make sure everything is going well with their pregnancy. To prevent birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome, it is extremely important for a woman to stop drinking when trying to become pregnant and when pregnant. According to the CDC, fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects.

If your child has suffered a birth injury that may have been preventable, please call or e-mail us today. Our experienced birth injury attorneys have been helping clients in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk for more than 25 years. Let us evaluate your case for free today. Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net