Did you know that every 4 ½ minutes a baby is born in the United States with a birth defect? While all birth defects can’t be prevented, the following steps can increase a woman’s chance of having a healthy baby:
1. Take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.
2. See your healthcare provider before stopping or starting any medicine. There are often benefits to continuing treatment throughout pregnancy. Discussing a treatment plan before a pregnancy allows a woman and her health care provider to weigh the pros and cons of all options to keep mom and baby as healthy as possible.
3. Become up-to-date with all vaccines, including the flu shot and COVID shot. Having the right vaccinations, like the COVID, flu and Tdap vaccines, at the right time during pregnancy can help keep a woman and her baby healthy. Talk to your provider about what’s best for you.
4. Before you get pregnant, try to reach a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk for several serious birth defects and other pregnancy complications.
5. Boost your health by avoiding harmful substances before and during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
- There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and its exposure can cause major birth defects.
- Smoking during pregnancy can cause dangerous chemicals to damage the placenta and/or reach baby’s bloodstream. Stop using tobacco products before pregnancy to avoid problems and stay away from secondhand smoke as well.
- The opioid addiction epidemic has led to a sharp increase in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), premature birth and drug withdrawal in developing babies.
Babies who survive and live with birth defects are at an increased risk for developing many lifelong physical, cognitive, and social challenges. Medical care and support services only scrape the surface of the financial and emotional impact of living with birth defects.
There are local resources available to help with these challenges. Wyandot County Public Health is affiliated with the Wyandot County Council for Birth Defects which was formed in 1985 and assists local families with medications, supplies, gas vouchers, camp registrations, home modifications, adaptive equipment and lodging. Anyone residing in Wyandot County that has been diagnosed with a birth defect is eligible to apply for assistance and can call Wyandot County Public Health at 419-294-3852 to obtain an application or can email wccfbd@gmail.com for more information.
Wyandot County Public Health also has Public Health Nurses that work with the Children with Medical Handicaps Program (CMH), a health care program funded by the Ohio Department of Health. CMH links families of children with special health care needs to a network of quality providers and helps families obtain payment for the services their children need.
Contact Wyandot County Public Health at 419-294-3852 for more information or to request assistance.
