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Birth Defects Prevention (Holistic)

About This Condition

Give your baby the best chance at being born strong and healthy. Start by gathering vital information before you get pregnant. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Take vitamins in advance

    To help prevent neural tube and other birth defects, start taking a daily multivitamin months before getting pregnant and continue through your pregnancy; look for brands with at least 400 mcg of folic acid and 15 mg of zinc

  • Don’t drink alcohol

    Protect your baby from a variety of serious birth defects and developmental disorders by avoiding alcohol while you’re pregnant

  • Keep an eye on vitamin A

    Check with your healthcare practitioner before taking supplements that contain more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A

  • Cut the caffeine

    Reduce the risk of miscarriage by avoiding caffeinated coffee, tea, and soft drinks

  • Avoid too much noise

    Stay away from noisy workplace environments, loud music, and airport jet traffic to protect your baby’s fragile ears and hearing

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PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.