1. Understand Structural Birth Defects
Birth defects are abnormalities present at the time of a baby's birth. They occur in approximately 3 percent of pregnancies. When some part of the baby's body did not form correctly or completely, this is a structural birth defect. For example, neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly occur when the coverings over the spinal cord or brain do not close properly. The folic acid in your prenatal vitamins can help prevent neural tube defects, but must be taken before pregnancy (that is, while you are attempting to conceive) and in early pregnancy to be effective. There is no single cause of structural defects, but certain medical conditions such as diabetes can be associated with a higher risk.
2. Avoid Infection During Pregnancy
If certain infections are acquired by the mother during pregnancy, they can cause abnormalities in the baby. Rubella (German measles) and varicella (chickenpox) are two examples. If you have not already had these diseases or been vaccinated, you should be vaccinated at least 1 month before becoming pregnant.
3. Get Prenatal Screening for Genetic Disorders
It is possible that you are unknowingly a carrier of a genetic disorder that could be passed on to your baby. Some inheritable diseases are more common among individuals of certain ethnicities, including sickle cell in African Americans, cystic fibrosis in Caucasians, thalassemia in Asians, and Tay-Sachs, Canavan disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Familial Dysautonomia in Ashkenazi Jewish people.
Blood tests can be performed either before conception (preconceptual) or early in pregnancy to find out whether either parent is a carrier of certain genetic defects that could affect the health of the baby. If you fall into one of the above ethnic categories, you may want to consider getting tested before pregnancy.
