Tips for lowering the risk of birth defects

It's Birth Defects Prevention Month. Here's what you can do to reduce risk before and during pregnancy.

January is Birth Defects Prevention Month. It’s a good time to consider steps you can take to help lower the chances of birth defects. Birth defects may be visible on the outside of the body, such as the face or arm. Or they can be inside the body, such as the heart or brain. Your doctor’s advice on these matters helps make sure you have a healthy baby.

Talk to your doctor

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you are trying to get pregnant. This can help you to be in the best health possible before getting pregnant.  Ask your doctor about any health concerns you have. Also ask about medicines you use and which medicines are safe during pregnancy. Before your visit, write down a list of all vitamins, supplements and medicines you take. Show this list to your doctor. Some may be safe and important to keep taking during pregnancy. Others may cause birth defects, so you may be advised to stop taking them before trying to get pregnant. It's very important to see your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health conditions, to discuss how to reduce the risk of birth defects.

Get vaccinated

Make sure you're up to date on vaccinations, such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella), and flu. Getting rubella during pregnancy can cause birth defects affecting sight, hearing, heart, and brain. Chickenpox can affect sight, limbs, brain and digestive system. Illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 generally do not cause birth defects, but they can be dangerous for pregnant people and their babies. Most vaccines are safe to get during pregnancy.

Take a daily prenatal vitamin

Start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of folic acid at least three months before you start trying to get pregnant. Continue throughout pregnancy. Folic acid helps decrease the risk of certain birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord (called neural tube defects).

Be active and eat a healthy diet

The risk for birth defects is higher when a person’s body mass index is 30 or above. (Body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of body fat based on weight and height.) Starting pregnancy at a healthy weight helps lower the risk of developing diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy. Being active and eating healthy foods can help.

Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using other harmful substances

Alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances like opioid drugs increase the risk for birth defects. No amount of alcohol has been shown to be safe during pregnancy. When you learn you are pregnant, it’s best to cut out alcohol completely. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes or vaping products can harm a developing baby. Talk to your doctor about support you can receive and ways to quit smoking or using alcohol or other harmful substances.

Avoid extreme heat

Try to avoid extreme heat, especially during the first trimester. High body temperatures can increase the risk for birth defects. It’s best to avoid hot tubs, saunas and hot yoga. During very hot weather, stay indoors when possible and drink plenty of fluids. If you get a fever, treat it quickly with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ibuprofen and aspirin are not safe to use during pregnancy.

Doing all you can to help ensure a healthy baby

Birth defects occur for many reasons. We can’t control all of them. By taking healthy steps – with help from your doctor – you are doing your best for yourself and your baby.