
Every 4½ minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the U.S. and birth defects happen in about 3 percent to 4 percent of pregnancies.
These are figures that shouldn’t alarm future parents, but as January is recognized as National Birth Defects Prevention Month, they can remind women to care for their bodies during pregnancy.
"Truly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so see your health care provider so you can work together for your best health," explains Dr. Dennis Costakos, a neonatologist at Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse.
"Neural tube defects are birth defects. Examples include spina bifida — caused by improper formation of the spinal cord and tissues — or anencephaly, which relates to improper development of the brain," adds Dr. Costakos. "Luckily, these defects can be prevented for many babies if the mother receives prenatal vitamins with folic acid, and a diet with natural folate and folate-fortified food."
While you can't prevent all birth defects, Dr. Costakos offers these steps to increase a woman’s chance of having a healthy baby:
"Taking these preventative steps can go a long ways to a joyous and happy pregnancy for you and your child," says Dr. Costakos.
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