A baby is born with a birth defect in the United States every four and a half minutes. Healthy lifestyle choices as well as medical care before and during pregnancy can reduce these chances, resulting in better infant health outcomes for all Michiganders.

“Most people simply do not realize how common, costly and critical birth defects are in Michigan, as well as nationally, or that there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of birth defects,” said James K. Haveman, Director of the MDCH. “Through awareness efforts across the country we can reach millions of women and their families with vital prevention information.”

More than 120,000 babies born with a birth defect (approximately 1 in every 33 live births) are reported each year in the United States with around 7,000 cases occurring in Michigan. Some have only a minor and brief effect on a baby’s health while others have life-threatening or life-long effects. Birth defects are the most common cause of death in infants and the second most common cause of death in children aged one to four years.

Throughout National Birth Defects Prevention Month, MDCH will work to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, educators, social service professionals, and many segments of the general public about the frequency with which birth defects occur and the steps that can be taken to prevent them. 

Small steps such as visiting a healthcare provider before pregnancy and taking a multivitamin every day can make a significant difference towards protecting the health of women and babies. Public awareness, appropriate medical care, accurate and early diagnosis, and social support systems are all essential for ensuring prevention and treatment of these common and often deadly conditions.

Preconception health is a woman’s health before becoming pregnant. It is very important for a woman to be as healthy as possible before conception. This helps lower the chance of prematurity, low birth weight and birth defects in a baby.

•  Take 400 micrograms (400 mcg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily.

•  Eat a balanced diet.

•  Get regular exercise.

•  Live alcohol and drug free.

•  Eat fully cooked meat.

• Wait at least 18 months after delivery before starting another pregnancy.

• Practice safe sex by using condoms. This helps protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

•  Having regular medical and dental check-ups.

•  Managing health problems like depression, diabetes, seizures, PKU or other chronic conditions.

•  Asking your healthcare provider if the medications you take are safe at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. This includes over-the-counter, prescription, home remedies and herbal supplements.

•  Keeping immunizations up-to-date to protect against infections.

• Avoid harmful work-related and household substances such as insecticides, lead, mercury and strong chemicals.

• Avoid using hot tubs and saunas.

• Avoid exposure to used cat litter, pet mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs, all may spread infection.

• Know you and your partner’s medical and family history. Share this information with your healthcare provider. 

• Protect yourself against domestic violence by finding a safe place to live, asking for help and seeking emotional support. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE if you need help.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% preventable. If a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant, her child cannot have a FASD.

When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, so does her unborn baby. There is NO safe time or amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant. Alcohol affects brain development and can cause birth defects, low birth weight, prematurity, social, behavior and learning problems. Some physical characteristics of FASDs include: abnormal facial features, small head size, shorter than average height and problems with heart, kidney or bones.

Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant should stop drinking alcohol. Since almost half of all pregnancies are unplanned, any woman capable of becoming pregnant should talk to her doctor about how to avoid exposing her baby to alcohol. If a pregnant woman has already used alcohol during pregnancy, she should stop right away.