Birth defects affect one in every 33 babies born in the United
States and are a leading cause of infant mortality. Babies who survive and live
with birth defects are at an increased risk for developing many lifelong
physical, cognitive, and social challenges.
Although not all birth defects can be prevented, all women who
could become pregnant or are pregnant can lower their risk of having babies
with birth defects by following some basic health guidelines throughout their
reproductive years, such as:
- Do not eat raw or runny eggs or
raw sprouts.
- Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk
and cheese and other foods made from them.
- Talk to your health care
provider about what you can do to prevent infections like Zika virus.
- Make sure that you are
up-to-date with vaccinations before getting pregnant.
- Talk to your health care
provider about vaccinations that you should receive during pregnancy.
- Stay away from wild or pet rodents,
live poultry, lizards and turtles, and do not clean cat litter boxes while
pregnant.
- When mosquitoes and ticks are
active, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside.
- Use Environmental Protection
Agency-registered insect repellents.
- Wash your hands often with soap
and water.
The United States Public Health Service recommends that all
women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms (400mcg or .4mg) of folic acid
daily to prevent up to 50-70 percent of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida
and anencephaly.
For more information,
visit http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mch/cshn/birth-defects/index.html
