National Birth Defects Prevention Month

Approximately one in every 33 infants born in the United States is affected by birth defects. Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in our country. In observance of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, the Livingston County Department of Health encourages women who may be pregnant or who are considering becoming pregnant to adopt healthy behaviors that can reduce the risks of poor birth outcomes.

The development of birth defects is not always controllable; however, following these recommendations can decrease the chances of birth defects affecting your child.

• Visit your physician before you become pregnant. Family planning and genetic counseling can be a helpful tool, especially if there is a family history of birth defects.
• Take a prenatal vitamin or supplement containing folic acid before and during pregnancy. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain and spinal cord.
• Do not use alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other drugs, and other toxic substances before and during pregnancy.
• Ensure your immunizations are up to date before becoming pregnant. Some preventable diseases can harm the fetus and proper vaccinations can decrease the chances of your baby being born with birth defects.
• Protect yourself from Sexually Transmitted Infections, such as Chlamydia and HIV.
• Pay close attention to your overall health. Eat healthy, get adequate exercise, get plenty of sleep and visit your doctor regularly.

In addition, Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy or to her baby around the time of birth. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly (a birth defect where a baby’s head and brain are smaller than babies of the same age and sex) and other severe brain defects.

• If you are pregnant, do not travel to areas with Zika.

o If you must travel to an area with Zika, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider first and
strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.
o If you have a partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, use condoms from start to
finish, every time you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) to protect against infection or do not have
sex during the pregnancy.

• If you are trying to become pregnant:

o Talk with your healthcare provider before traveling to areas with Zika and strictly follow steps to
prevent mosquito bites during the trip.
o See the Center for Disease Control’s (www.cdc.gov) advice for men and women who are
thinking about pregnancy.

All of these recommendations can greatly increase the chances of having a healthy baby. The Reproductive Health Center provides counseling to help you plan a pregnancy. WIC staff and maternal child nurses can help women during and after pregnancy. Community Health Workers of the MICHC program can help women to create and implement a reproductive life plan.

For more information on birth defect prevention, or these services or programs, please contact the Livingston County Department of
Health at 243-7299 or visit our website at www.livingstoncounty.us/doh.htm.