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Penn Herb Wellness Guide

Birth Defects Prevention

Also indexed as:Alcohol-Related Birth Defects, Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Anencephaly, Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Limb-Reduction Defects, Microcephaly, Neural Tube Defects, Spina Bifida, Urinary Tract Birth Defects
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.
Birth Defects Prevention: Main Image

Related Topics

  1. Healthy Pregnancy Advice
  2. Pregnancy & Postpartum Support
  3. Folic Acid
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

References

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.