Birth Defects Affecting Fetal Limbs - While any kind of birth defect is most heartbreaking to the parents of an infant, the ones which affect the limbs are especially problematic, since generally...
Preventing Birth Defects
Many of the birth defects experienced today, can be prevented with good prenatal care, avoidance of alcohol, safe sexual contact and by genetic counceling before pregnancy. There are also other precautions women can take both before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects.
Birth Defects and the Health Care System - When you first learn that your child will suffer from a birth defect, the odds are very good that you will be handed a list of resources. Many of these...
Before Pregnancy:
Females should make sure that vaccinations are up to date and be screened for all sexually transmitted diseases.
A complete physical examination and nutritional counseling will help ensure that the woman is in good physical condition to carry a pregnancy to term. During a preconception visit there are a few things that should be discussed including exposure to Rubella, your vaccination history, toxoplasmosis screening, controlling any chronic diseases like diabetes or epilepsy, managing any medications taken, assess any occupational risks, and assess any substance risk.
Birth Defects and the Healthy Sibling - As if it were not hard enough to deal with the reality of a child affected by birth defects, if you have other children, you will need to spend some time...
Prepregnant and pregnant women should always ask any physician prescribing medications to check to be sure they are safe to be taken by pregnant women. She should also carefully read all over the counter medications before taking them and also run them by her obstetrician or midwife before taking any over the counter medications.
Birth Defects Make ER Visits Problematic - If you have children, you will undoubtedly spend some time in the emergency room (ER). Of course, the fortunate parent of the child who looks prior to...
Women who suffer from diabetes, epilepsy, are obese, have lupus or other medical conditions deemed risky by your physician should be addressed at your preconception appointment.
Folic acid is vital for pregnancy and women should start taking supplements that contain folic acid before they become pregnant. The neural tube must close by about 4 weeks of post conception which is before most women know they are pregnant so it is important that all women who have any chance at all of becoming pregnant should be taking 400 mcg of folic acid each and every day.
Birth Defects Present Summer Vacation Challenges - Living with a birth defect is hard for a family, but even harder on the child. Systemic abnormalities are a lesser challenge, simply because they may...
If the woman or her partner have any medical history for birth defects or are in a high-risk group due to age, ethnic background or medical history a genetic appointment should be made prior to pregnancy to access your risk factor. Genetic testing and gene therapy are two popular aspects of prepregnancy planning. During the genetic appointment you can learn about prenatal testing that can be done to alleviate any concerns about possible birth defects.
Causes for Hearing Loss Birth Defects - Although not life threatening, hearing loss is one of the birth defects that present the most far reaching consequences. It will not affect the health...
During Pregnancy:
The most important things that all pregnant women can do during pregnancy to prevent birth defects is to take really good care of their body during pregnancy. Here are some healthy habits:
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
Avoid alcohol
Avoid illicit drugs
Coping With a Visible Birth Defect that Makes Your Daughter Unpopular - Popularity is the name of the game for young girls when late elementary school begins. All the way through high school the question of who is the most...
Eat a healthy diet
Take prenatal vitamins that include folic acid
Exercise
Get plenty of rest
Get early and regular prenatal care
Follow the advice of your prenatal care team and ask questions about any aspects of your pregnancy that concern you.
© Information Warehouse 2007
All articles on this site are for information only and should not be treated as medical advice.
If you experience any symptoms, consult a medical professional.