January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. According to the CDC Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body. Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States.
Birth defects happen for various reasons and not all can be prevented. However, people can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by adopting healthy habits before becoming pregnant. Birth defects can be found before the birth of the child, at birth, or anytime after (usually up to a year).
Be sure to see your healthcare provider regularly and start prenatal care as soon as you think you might be pregnant. To schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment with a UCR Health physician, give us a call at 1844-827-8000 or click here. You can also visit www.cdc.gov/birthdefects to learn more about the steps you can take to prevent birth defects.