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An Ounce of Prevention for Birth Defects

Be Wise About Birth Defects Before Conception

By Kelly Burgess

As a nurse, Maria McBride of River Vale, N.J., is well informed about taking a proactive approach to prenatal health. Accordingly, when she decided to start a family at age 33, she didn't just jump into pregnancy. The year before, she and her husband both focused on optimizing their health through diet and exercise, avoiding soda, alcohol and taking recommended supplements.

She's now mom to two healthy boys, ages 4 and 3. "I feel that someone's health, diet and activity level directly impacts a pregnancy," she says. "Eating right and exercising gives both the mother and the developing fetus the best possible conditions and outcome."

Not all birth defects are preventable, but with advances in our knowledge of what causes birth defects, it's becoming increasingly possible to prevent some birth defects and to identify increased risks of others. Dr. Siobhan Dolan is associate medical director of the March of Dimes. Preventing birth defects has long been a focus of their organization.

Dr. Dolan says first and foremost is to begin taking a supplement with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day at least a month before conception. "This is something we hear a lot of, and we think everyone must be taking folic acid," he says. "But data show that while something like 80 percent of women of childbearing age know about it, only about 50 percent take it. Women need to hear the message to go buy it and start taking it."

Optimally, Dr. Dolan suggests a visit to your health care provider before conception. At this visit, you can review the types of supplements and doses that are needed to ensure healthy levels at conception, as well as review current health concerns such as age, weight or chronic health conditions and discuss both families' medical histories.

Common sense is also warranted. Dr. Dolan advises the following:

Want to see more?

• Fabulous Folic Acid: A Tool to Prevent Birth Defects
• Ready, Set, Conceive! Preconception Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy
• Health Check! Preventive Medicine Before You Conceive
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!
• Genetic Disorders: Testing for Genetic Disorders

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