Getting the news of a birth injury in your child can have devastating effects. You may start questioning yourself and your ability to keep your child safe. The trauma and mental anguish are so overpowering that you may have no way to channel your thoughts and cope with the pain. If you want to get a pregnancy massage you can get easy with visit this massage website.
But parents need to realize that it is not always in their hands to avoid a birth injury in their child. Often the events beyond their control transpire and cause an injury to their child.
With all that said, here is what expectant mothers can do to avoid complications for the baby.
Ensure Folic acid intake during pregnancy
Folic acid is essential for the growth and development of the baby. It can prevent many birth injuries, including brain and spine injuries. An insufficiency of folic acid can put the baby at the risk of getting Spina bifida.
It happens when the baby’s brain and spinal show underdevelopment, characterized by a gap in the spine.
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect—the same tube that later transforms into the brain and spinal cord of the baby. A pregnant mother needs a regular intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid to prevent such injuries in their child.
Suppose your doctors fail to discuss the potential of Spina bifida in your child and do not prescribe preventive measures. In that case, you can hire a cerebral palsy lawyer or a Spina bifida lawyer. They will help you file a wrongful-birth action claim and demand compensation.
The doctor must conduct a prenatal Spinal bifida test or advise you about pregnancy termination.
On the part of mothers, they must exercise care too. They can use food that contains folic acid. For instance, bread, cereals, and corn masa flour contain folic acid. They must always read the nutrient chart of the foods they buy and prefer those with ample folic acid.
Don’t ignore your prenatal appointments
Pregnancy is a very critical time for the mother and the baby. From the clinical point of view, each prenatal appointment is designed to reach certain milestones and keep an eye on the health and well-being of the mother and child.
At the same time, doctors can detect if there is any abnormality in the mother’s or baby’s condition and remediate when the issues are still minor.
Take the example of vaginal spotting; as many as 40% of the women experience light spotting during pregnancy. So, it is considered pretty normal. But how will you know when it is more than just a normal happening. You can clarify all your ambiguities and get the required answers by discussing them with your doctor.
During these appointments, doctors also require mothers’ urine samples and blood test reports to clarify their doubts about the most prevalent issues among pregnant mothers.
These tests can nullify any doubts about preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Early diagnosis of such problems leads to early treatment plans. Hence, make sure to attend all your appointments to discuss your issues periodically.
Discuss with your obstetrician before planning a baby
Meeting with an obstetrician before you plan a baby is especially suitable for mothers with prior issues such as obesity, heart problems, or any other abnormality. This meeting is essential to ensure a safe pregnancy.
If this is not your first prenatal period, you may also discuss any difficulties you faced during your last pregnancy.
The doctor may prescribe a few tests or medications to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Once you conceive the baby, you can stick with the same obstetrician since they know about your medical history.
Get all the necessary vaccination shots
Ask your doctor about necessary vaccinations, including flu shots and whooping cough.
In most cases, doctors recommend these vaccines as they are suitable for the safe development of the baby and the health of the expectant mother.
CDC also recommends taking inactivated flu vaccine through an injection and Tdap vaccination. Flu vaccine can be taken during the flu season, and Tdap is most recommended to be taken between 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Expectant mothers are advised to have the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy regardless of the gap from the last pregnancy.
Avoid smoking during pregnancy
Smoking is injurious to health even if you are not pregnant. But it becomes a bigger issue when you conceive a baby.
It can impact your baby’s growth, resulting in low weight and a fragile body. Smoking can also lead to immature birth. Your baby is more prone to getting a birth injury in all these cases.
A less robust baby finds it harder to withstand the pressure and force of labor and delivery. As a result, it can sustain lasting injuries during the process.
Though it is tough to quit smoking, it is in your baby’s best interest that you quit smoking a few months before conceiving your baby. All the harmful gases like carbon monoxide can leave your body during this period. Also, keep yourself hydrated and eat healthy food to prepare your body for a subsequent pregnancy.
Don’t drink alcohol
Drinking alcohol does not just harm you but your baby too. This injurious liquid reaches your baby through the umbilical cord. There is no agreed-upon safe amount of alcohol that you drink during pregnancy. So, even if you think a few shots or a few glasses do not harm your baby, you are certainly wrong.
Drinking it during pregnancy can cause stillbirth, miscarriages, and a range of behavioral, intellectual, and physical impairments in the baby.
Conclusion
A birth injury in your child is shattering news. You cannot do anything to turn the course once it happens. But, there is much you can do before and during pregnancy to avoid harm coming to your baby. The article mentions several ways to care for your baby and dwindle the chances of birth injury.
Hope this article is of help and proves fruitful.