Birth Defect Prevention

 
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Did you know that every 4 ½ minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the U.S.? January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, Lincoln Family Medicine Center is sharing tips on what you can do to reduce the chances of having a baby with a birth defect.

  • Take 400 mcg of folic acid every day.

  • Meet with a healthcare provider before stopping or starting any medicine.

  • Be up-to-date with vaccines, including the flu shot.

  • Before you get pregnant, try to reach a healthy weight.

  • Avoid harmful substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, during pregnancy.

Not all birth defects can be prevented, but doing what's best for you and for your baby will go a long way toward improving your chances of having a healthy baby.

To learn more, visit https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/prevention-month.html.

Source: CDC.com

Lincoln Family Medicine Center