Physicians Health

It’s troubling– according to the March of Dimes each year in the US, more than 150,000 babies are born with some defect and almost 60 percent of birth defects causes are unknown.

There are two essential types of childbirth defects: structural and functional/developmental.  Structural birth defects concern problems related to body part development, while functional birth defects concern overall system functions. The majority of childbirth disorders occur during the first trimester of a pregnancy, though many of them are treatable.

There are many things you can do to increase the chance of having a healthy baby:

• Educate yourself. Go to the library or to your physician to get the information you need. It’s also very essential to realize that sometimes babies born with congenital defects even though both parents are healthy.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs: Tobacco use can cause premature birth, certain birth defects and even death. Women who smoke while pregnant are more likely to have a miscarriage. The use of drugs can also cause defects.  Woman shouldn’t use drugs even after labor, as drugs can spoil breast milk. Alcohol is also one of the main leading causes of childbirth disorders.
• Follow a sensible diet program: Avoid junk food and eat nutritious meals. Eat the following every day: dark green vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products, meat and food rich in protein. Also, make sure you are getting enough folic acid, which is absolutely essential. Consider taking supplements.
• Regular exercise: Walking and swimming are safe exercises for pregnant mothers, though before beginning any exercise regimen talk to your doctor first.
• Get plenty of rest: Lie down as often as possible. Sleeping and resting, especially on your left side, improves blood circulation to your baby.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Water, milk and juice are all perfect. Six to eight glasses of water a day is ideal.
• If you’re still not pregnant but are planning on having a baby, take multivitamins every day. This will help your body prepare itself for your future pregnancy.

photo © Raphael Goetter

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