Pregnancy health: understanding common birth defects
Whether you’re a first-time mom or a seasoned professional, pregnancy is an exciting and tumultuous time, all at once!
It’s a chapter in your life when your body will change in different ways, and you want to make sure both you and your baby stay healthy. This guide will help you understand how to take care of yourself, what changes to expect, common birth defects and their causes, and how to keep your baby safe.
First things first: staying healthy during pregnancy
Pregnancy is NOT the time for intense dieting or starting a challenging new exercise routine.
What you should be doing is taking steps – literally and figuratively – every day to be as healthy as possible. This means exercising and adapting your fitness as you move further along in your pregnancy.
It also means maintaining a wholesome diet that incorporates fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and healthy fats that give your body and developing baby the nutrients it needs. Don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins religiousl – folic acid can help prevent birth defects and pregnant women generally need enough iron to stay strong.
Understanding common birth defects
Of course, no one wants to think about their baby having health challenges, but it’s important to know all the information.
Types of birth defects
Cleft lip and palate is when the baby’s lip doesn’t form “correctly”, that is, it doesn’t join completely before the baby is born. This can result in an opening that may go through the lip into the nose. This could happen on both sides of the lip, on one side, or in the middle.
Congenital heart defects are heart issues that a baby may be born with. A congenital heart defect can affect the baby’s heart shape, the way the heart works, or both, and could range from mild to serious as a health condition.
Babies could also be born with hearing loss. Again, this could range from mild to severe, and hearing loss might further affect a child’s speech.
Neural tube defects impact the brain, spine, and spinal cord. You may have heard of spina bifida – this happens when the spinal cord or bones in the spine don’t form correctly, leaving gaps or openings. It’s a serious condition that can affect the brain and even lead to paralysis.
What causes birth defects?
There are multiple factors to consider when it comes to birth defects. Genetics play a big role. If your family has a specific history with a health condition, this is something to discuss with your doctor, who can shed more light on your risk factors.
Your health during pregnancy is also important. For example, gestational diabetes or an infection could affect your developing baby. The same goes for exposure to harmful substances like alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and even some medications and drugs.
Take steps to be healthy during pregnancy
It’s true that not all birth defects can be prevented, but it’s important to still take the time to focus on good health and wellbeing during your pregnancy. This is why prenatal checks and prenatal vitamins are necessary. By keeping up-to-date with check-ups, your doctor can alert you if there’s anything with which to be concerned. And you can use those appointments as opportunities to relay any worrying symptoms.
It should go without saying – but absolutely no smoking or drinking during pregnancy. Otherwise, you are putting your health and your unborn baby’s health at risk.
When it comes to your diet, as we mentioned, make sure you’re getting an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Try to avoid raw meat, fish, and unpasteurised dairy, which can trigger infections. If you’re on medication, like antidepressants, medication for anxiety, or simply trying an herbal supplement, let your doctor know. They will be able to advise you on its potential effects.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.