Birth defects are a worrying aspect of pregnancy; however, there are a few factors that you can control to tilt the balance in your favour. By following the tips outlined here, you are more likely to have a healthy baby. Realising you are pregnant can evoke a wide range of emotions right from surprise and joy to stress and anxiety about what the future holds. While everyone hopes to give birth to a healthy child, there is a tiny fear too because you may have heard of some baby in your family or friends circle being born with some defect. Some birth defects have a hereditary component but there are quite a few cases where perfectly healthy couples may have a baby with a birth defect. By understanding the risk factors that pose a danger, you can, to a large extent, stay safe. Here are a few tips you can take to prevent
birth defects and disorders in your baby.
Get Enough Folic Acid
Your baby receives nutrition from the food you eat; therefore, the development of your baby is largely dependent on your getting the right nutrients. Vegetables and fruits that provide adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals are a must; of all these, folic acid – a vitamin of the B-complex group – is very vital. Quite a few major birth defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly that affect the brain have been linked to low levels of folic acid in the mother. So, speak to your doctor and make sure you get enough folic acid –a minimum of 400 micrograms per day – by consuming green leafy vegetables, asparagus nuts and beans or by the use of supplements or fortified foods.
Cut Down on Sugar
Often, pregnant women may develop insulin resistance because of the hormonal fluctuations. In such a situation, excess consumption of sugar can be dangerous because it puts extra strain on your body. This may contribute to gestational diabetes – the diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in women who have been previously healthy. Therefore, make sure you avoid too much sugar in your diet – instead of taking a quick fix carbohydrate-rich snack when you feel hunger pangs strike, go for healthier snacks such as almonds, figs, beans and raw salads. If you are already diabetic, make sure you take your medication to prevent blood sugar levels fluctuating wildly beyond prescribed levels.
Keep Away from Smoking and Alcohol
Both nicotine and alcohol consumption by the mother have been unfailingly linked to birth defects. Alcohol during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol spectrum disorder that causes severe physical and mental defects in the baby. Smoking can lead to greater chances of a baby being born prematurely or developing defects such as a cleft lip or cleft palate. Therefore, although it is best to quit smoking and alcohol consumption before you conceive, kicking the habit even after conception is really worthwhile.
Keep Away From Infections
Quite a few infections during pregnancy can pose a danger to the unborn baby; so make sure you stay healthy by following basic hygiene and safety tips. Wash your hands well before meals, avoid the company of people with infections, and avoid eating out because that food is more likely to cause harm than a home-cooked meal. Ask your doctor about the vaccination you need and make sure you take your shots at the correct time.
Watch the Medicines you Take
Almost everything you consume is capable of finding its way to the baby growing within your womb. Some prescription medicines can have a harmful effect on the growing foetus; with a vast majority, there is no clear picture of how safe the medicine is. Therefore the best way to stay safe is to avoid consuming any medicine – even over the counter medication – other than that prescribed by your gynaecologist.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Research has shown that women who are obese tend to have greater complications during pregnancy. Also, obesity puts you at higher risk for having a baby with serious birth defects. If you are planning to conceive, it is good to reach a healthy weight; after you become pregnant, it is important to eat right and get exercise as prescribed by your doctor to maintain a healthy weight.
Once you know you are pregnant, you may find your mood fluctuating between joy at the life growing within and anxiety about your baby’s well-being. Seeing a doctor regularly at the specified intervals can help you ensure you stay healthy during pregnancy, giving your baby all the positive inputs needed to be born hale and hearty.
What are the common causes of birth defects and disorders in babies? How can pregnant women prevent birth defects and disorders in unborn babies? Do taking vitamin supplements during pregnancy help to prevent birth defects? Discuss here. 
