How to Avoid Fetal Malformation During Pregnancy.

 

It is well known that most women who get pregnant beyond the age of 35 may have a higher risk of having children who have mental retardation or have Down Syndrome, among others. However, is important to remember that the exposure of pregnant women to teratogens such as rubella virus and radiation, has caused their children to have hearing impairment or cerebral palsy. Unfortunately, most of the mothers I have talked to, are not aware of the risks they encounter during pregnancy, as well as the various effects of these risks or substances on their babies. In this article, I’ll give you the key 3 factors to avoid fetal malformations during pregnancy. Ready? Let’s begin.

Congenital problems of children:

Congenital problems may be caused by various factors. Some problems such as mental retardation and congenital malformations may have compounding causes, while some conditions, like autism, may not even have a definite proven cause yet.

Most parents I have talked to, especially those that have not yet consulted with any doctor, are surprised to learn that their children’s conditions are a consequence of something that they had done or had taken during their pregnancy. Some of them even mentioned that they had hoped to have known earlier about the risks of being pregnant, back when they can still do something to prevent it from affecting their children. Other, on the other hand, have expressed their fear of having another child with the looming possibility of their next baby having the same condition.

I felt that as part of my profession, it is my responsibility to help inform parents. Especially mothers or soon-to-be mothers, about the risks they face during pregnancy and what they can do about it before is too late. I have identified three most common risks; namely, stress, in-take of medications, and smoking, drugs and alcoholic drink in-take, that may adversely affect the congenital development of infants.

Tip # 1: Keep Stress Under Control During Pregnancy and take care of your body and mind.

Researchers have been contending about stress among pregnant women and its effects to infants. A previous research has claimed that stress during pregnancy does not affect the condition of the baby in any way. However, recent studies show that to much stress during pregnancy can actually cause pre-term labor among women and low birth weight of infants.

The feeling of being stressed may be due to different reasons. Among pregnant women this may be attributed to hormonal and physical changes they experience, as well as changes in their lifestyle or finances.

There are a lot of things that pregnant women can choose to do, to avoid feeling stressed. Here you have a list of activities that will definitely make you feel better. 

• Make time for yourself every day to unwind, and do something that you enjoy (Use meditation, a warm bath, listen to motivational affirmations, read a book, listen to music, have a massage etc.)
• Talk to someone you trust.
• Stay active if you are able to.
• Proper rest is very important.
• Don’t be shy to ask for help if you need to.
• Be realistic about how much you can do (whether at work, at home, or in your social life).
• Eat well and drink plenty of water.
• Stay informed visiting periodically your doctor.
• Meet other pregnant women or new parents at local groups or on online forums.
• Always remember that you may feel in control of your life, but please be open to unexpected changes as well.
• Never take for granted communicating with your husband or family members, use it as a therapy.

Tip # 2: Avoid Taking Medications During Pregnancy.

Some medications are really dangerous to be taken during pregnancy. And doctors will probably not prescribe medicines to pregnant women, if those are known to be harmful. Illegal drugs are out of the questions because those are definitely dangerous, even to women who are not pregnant.

What women should do during their pregnancy is to consult their doctors regarding any medications that they plan to take for any illness. Avoid taking un-prescribed medications completely if possible. Also, note down or record every medication that has been taken; the name of the medicine, when it was taken, how long it was taken, for what illness or condition and the name of the physician who prescribed it. Through this, they can have a source for future references. Also, a list of safe medications are indicated in various sites in the internet and they can easily search for it. However, doctors are still the best option to consult regarding matters of medications.

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Tips # 3: Smoking, drugs or Alcoholic Drinks During Pregnancy are prohibited, here is why:

Tobacco and alcoholic drinks are among the most common teratogens (Teratogen is any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. Teratogens cause birth defects in the child) that often cause abnormalities in infants. Other famous teratogens include rubella virus, radiation and illegal drugs. Women who have a history of smoking and drinking during their pregnancy are most probably also the mothers of children who have congenital malformations and cognitive problems. These teratogens can also cause low birth weight or premature deliveries of babies. In some cases, infants even die before they are born because of those substances. Aside from direct smoking, constant or regular exposure to secondhand smoke can also affect pregnancy in the same way as firsthand smoking, thus, should be avoided.

The option to this risk is quiet simple. Avoid such activities that are definitely harmful to your baby. Also, be aware when in doubt of possible pregnancy. Some mothers I have talked to reported that they were not aware of their pregnancy when they were still smoking or drinking. When they finally learned about their condition, it was already too late. Therefore, women should carefully take note if they suspect of their possible pregnancy.

For more useful information about pregnancy visit my YouTube channel, here is the link. 

Other posts you might find interesting:

How to maximize your chances of getting pregnant.

Causes of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy.

6 tips to survive the first trimester of pregnancy.

How to deal with gestational diabetes for a healthier pregnancy.

Final thoughts about How to avoid fetal malformations during pregnancy.

Throughout the nine months of a child’s conception, it is therefore necessary to learn much about being pregnant. A lot of people, places and books may be consulted or used as resources or references for this. One common mistake I have noted among all the mothers I have talked to is their lack of knowledge regarding pregnancy. The risks may not so much affect the mother herself, but they will definitely have a negative effect on their babies. Like all other problems or illnesses, it is important to keep in mind that prevention is always better than cure.

I hope this article was helpful to you. If you learn something share to other moms-to-be.

Zadi, xo

 

Disclaimer: The medical information on this post is for educational and entertainment use only. Under no circumstances, this information is to replace your doctor’s advice or to treat any disease. For proper care, always visit your doctor.