Avoiding Birth Defects

Avoiding Birth Defects

Keywords: Birth Defects, birth defect causes, birth defect

Birth Defects in a newborn can really dampen the happiness of the family. There is little that can be done to avoid genetic or hereditary defects. However taking care of certain things during pregnancy can go a long way in ensuring that the baby is born completely safe and sound bringing happiness and joy to your life. It is necessary to remember that anything and everything that you do during the time that you are pregnant affects the health of the fetus growing inside. Bad habits such as smoking and drinking along with nutritional factors can lead to birth defects in the baby. Not only the physical state but also the mental makeup of the mother shapes the future of the child growing inside. The mother-to-be should remain happy and stress free during the months that she is pregnant. All the situations and even the persons who can cause anxiety and tension should be kept at arm’s length. Nothing or no one should compromise with the health of your child or jeopardize its future.

In order to avoid birth defect in a child, following the doctor’s orders is of utmost importance. The diet chart and medications that mean for the future health of the child need to be followed without any fail. Family medical history along with genetic problems and hereditary diseases that run in the family should be communicated to the doctor from the very first, if possible even before the conception of the baby. This is sure to help in lessening the chances of the baby having a birth defect. Regular checkups in the doctor’s chamber along with follow ups as recommended by your physician should not be missed at any cost. These checkups are necessary to make sure that all is well with the health of both the mother and the child growing inside.

While there are a number of birth defects causes, exposure of the baby to dangerous chemicals due to cigarette smoking, alcohol or substance abuse, especially during the first trimester results in a significant alteration in the normal development of the baby. In such cases deformation may occur in the lungs, heart, brain, limbs and various other organs. Even prescription medications which have not been recommended by the doctor resulted in both mild as well as severe defects at birth such as the presence of cleft lip or palate, congenital heart problems, neural tube defects and limb deformities etc. Alcohol and cigarette smoking may lead to defects such as hearing and vision problems, defects in vital organs such as heart and brain, language and speech problems, behavioral disorders, low weight at birth, mental retardation and so many other kinds of defects which decrease the future chances of the child. Drug abuse is potentially the most threatening for the child growing inside the body of the mother. Such children are at a life-threatening risk.

Children whose birth defect causes include parental drug abuse are eligible for compensation which goes towards paying the regular medical bills.