Getting pregnant and having a baby is a wonderful and magical experience, but it can also be a little stressful as expecting parents worry about living healthy lifestyles and making sure the growing baby is going to be born healthy. But the American Heart Association has made things a little simpler by releasing these
4 tips to help avoid congenital heart defects:
- Talk with your doctor preconception. Prospective mothers can be checked for any number of health conditions, like diabetes and influenza, and helped to get it under control before getting pregnant.
- Women should take a daily multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid, as this is important for the normal growth of the fetus and has been shown to help prevent heart defects.
- Review the proper use of both prescription and over-the-counter medications with your doctor.
- Avoid people with the flu or any illness with a fever. Women with a fever-associated illness during the first trimester have twice the risk of giving birth to a baby with heart problems.
By taking steps before you conceive and early in the pregnancy, you can greatly increase your chances of avoiding congenital heart defects and giving birth to a beautiful, happy, healthy baby!
