National Birth Defects
Prevention Month is January!
This January, join the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in their nationwide effort to raise awareness of birth defects, their causes, and their impact! The beginning of the year is also when we celebrate the individuals living with a birth defect. Thanks to medical advances like those you can get through our sister company, My Genetic Health and Wellness, children born with birth defects are living longer.
What are Birth Defects?
You mainly hear about the birth defects of those living in third world countries, but we have them too... Here's a list:
- Cleft Lip and Palate
- Clubfoot
- Craniosynostosis
- Down Syndrome
- Eye Defects
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Gastroschisis
- Heart Defects
- Omphalocele
- Spina Bifida
What can you do to help those with birth defects?
CDC offers three options:
- Thunderclap: a social media tool via Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr that shows the country is unified. View them one from this year on their Facebook page from January 10th... It's never too soon to register for next year and mark your calendars!
- Share your #1in33 Story: #1in33 this is me is about those living with birth defects. Actually, one of the co-founders of this company has a child who was born with a heart defect that she thrives with! You can log on and share your story at any time. Very cool to encourage others that birth defects are not the end of the world!
- #Prevent2Protect: My Genetic Health and Wellness is a large part of option 3. Through their services, you are able to predetermine the probability of having birth defects between you and your significant other. We can also help you find testing while pregnant to reveal potential issues as well as the gender!!!
What can you do to have a healthy baby?
Making healthy choices daily is the best way to protect your health and the health of your future babies. Actually, and those already born... After all if you eat well, they will too! Not all birth defects are preventable, but there are many ways to have a healthy pregnancy/birth. Some ways to go the extra mile while you are pregnant is:
- To refrain from alcohol, smoking, and drugs
- To eat whole foods in a variety of colors
- To practice safe sex and avoid infections
- Avoid other infections such as severe flus while pregnant
- Get tested for genetic disorders and regularly for STI/STDs (Contact My Genetic!)
- Document the father via testing (if unmarried) to have access to his medical history... And we can help with that! 😉
Get healthy in this new year and make the next generation healthy with you!
