7 ways to prevent birth defects that mothers can do

Every parent would want their child to be born into the world with a perfect physique. However, there are many unpredictable factors that can cause a baby to be born with disabilities. Therefore, it is appropriate for pregnant women to take care of the body and ensure the health of the baby in the womb to prevent birth defects.

What are the ways that pregnant women can take care of the pregnancy to prevent birth defects? Here are a variety of things you need to pay attention to.

Consider various ways to prevent birth defects

According to WHO as the world health agency, birth defects are experienced by about 1 in 33 babies in the world. In fact, there are approximately 3.2 million birth defects in babies worldwide each year.

Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia alone, birth defects account for 90,000 deaths for newborns.

Although it is not always fatal, babies who are able to survive with birth defects will usually experience defects in a long period of time which of course have an impact on their development.

The causes of birth defects tend to be difficult to determine. However, actually there are efforts that pregnant women and those who are planning to become pregnant can do to prevent birth defects.

So that babies can be born perfectly without defects, here are ways that mothers can do to prevent this:

1. Prevent birth defects by avoiding diet

Diet is basically managing your diet. So, diet is not always meant to reduce weight.

Those of you who are experiencing certain conditions can also undergo a special diet to reduce the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but this is not aimed at losing weight.

Well, if the diet that you mean during pregnancy is to lose weight, this is actually not recommended. In fact, it's okay and it would be better if you gained weight during pregnancy.

This is because the fetus in the womb needs continuous nutritional intake to support its growth.

When you deliberately reduce food portions or limit certain types of food, this method will actually reduce fetal nutrition intake.

This can indirectly hinder the process of growth and development while in the womb. In fact, the first 1000 days of life are a golden period for baby development.

The first thousand days of this life begin from the time the baby is in the womb until he is even two years old.

However, overeating is also not good because it risks making you overweight and obese during pregnancy.

Not only that, when you are planning a pregnancy, you are highly recommended to keep your weight in the ideal category.

Because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women with obesity weight categories, even before becoming pregnant, are more at risk of experiencing pregnancy complications.

Therefore, discuss with your obstetrician about a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy.

If possible, you can also consult a nutritionist to design a more detailed meal plan as an effort to prevent birth defects.

2. Take medication without a doctor's supervision

You should not take medication carelessly while pregnant. Some drugs can be "taken" by the fetus because they are absorbed into the placental tube.

Take, for example, pain medications like aspirin and ibuprofen. The consumption of both drugs in pregnant women must be very careful about the timing and dose of drinking, especially in the first and last trimester.

Launching from the Mayo Clinic, consumption of aspirin in the first trimester of pregnancy in high doses can cause congenital defects.

If high doses of aspirin are taken during the third trimester of pregnancy, there is a risk of clogging the arteries in the fetal heart, causing heart defects.

In fact, taking high doses of aspirin for a long time while pregnant also increases the risk of bleeding in the brain in premature babies.

Meanwhile, ibuprofen is at risk of causing ductus arteriosusaka leaky heart in babies if taken in the third trimester.

Therefore, always consult with your gynecologist about the drugs you have and are currently taking during pregnancy. This also includes prescription, nonprescription, and herbal remedies and vitamin supplements.

3. Prevent birth defects by avoiding smoking and alcohol

Another way to prevent birth defects is to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking while pregnant. Apart from preventing birth defects in babies, this effort also helps reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Children born to mothers who smoke have a higher risk of having crossed eyes, aka strabismus. Babies whose mothers smoked in the first trimester of pregnancy were more likely to have heart and lung defects at birth.

Smoking during pregnancy can also have a permanent impact on brain function in children, such as low IQ. In addition, the dangers of smoking during pregnancy also cause premature babies, cleft lip, and even infant death.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can also cause the baby to be born with fetal alcohol syndrome or a birth defect that could have a permanent impact.

Babies can also experience facial deformities (smaller heads), stillbirths, physical defects, and damage to the central nervous system.

Damage to the baby's central nervous system can include intellectual disabilities, delayed physical development, vision, hearing problems, and various behavioral problems.

That is why you should avoid all types of alcohol during pregnancy, including wine (wine) and beer.

4. Avoid body conditions that are too hot

The CDC recommends pregnant women to avoid conditions that are too hot (overheating) and get immediate treatment when you have a fever.

This is because being in a condition or body temperature that is too hot can increase the risk of a baby born with neural tube defects (anencephaly).

Therefore, it is better to immediately treat fever and avoid exposure to too hot temperatures such as soaking in a hot tub.

5. Get immunized during pregnancy

There are several types of immunizations that are safe to give during pregnancy and even recommended. The types of immunization are the flu vaccine and the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis).

The reason is, giving several types of immunization can help protect pregnant women from the risk of infection so as to prevent birth defects in babies.

Make sure you consult with your doctor first to find out which vaccines are recommended during pregnancy.

6. Meet the needs of folic acid

Pregnant women are strongly advised to meet daily folic acid needs in an effort to prevent birth defects in babies, especially in the brain and spinal cord.

What's more, because the brain and spinal cord are formed very early, so there is a risk of causing birth defects if it doesn't work well. One of the birth defects that can occur due to insufficient intake of folic acid is spina bifida in babies.

Mothers are advised to take folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant and continue regularly during pregnancy.

7. Avoid exposure to toxic substances

Insecticides, paints, organic solvents, and other chemicals can increase the risk of birth defects. Avoid these harmful substances as much as possible during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. The use of personal protective equipment can avoid these risks.