1. Understanding Birth Defects

2. The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.

3. Birth Defects Some birth defects happen for no known reason but many birth defects are preventable.

4. There are many kinds of birth defects...

5. Cleft Lip/Palate Before Surgery After Surgery

6. Immunizations

7. X-Rays

8. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are dangerous in pregnancy... Do you really want to gamble with your baby??

9. Human Embryo at 4 Weeks

10. Human Embryo at 8 Weeks

11. Over the Counter, “Natural” and Herbal Remedies in Pregnancy

12. Prescription Drugs in Pregnancy

13. Thalidomide in Pregnancy

14. Accutane in Pregnancy This sign means DO NOT take this drug if you are, or could be pregnant

15. Illegal Drugs in Pregnancy

16. Baby born with Gastroschisis (Gastro-skee-sis)

17. Marijuana in Pregnancy

18. Smoking in Pregnancy

19. Alcohol in Pregnancy

20. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

22. Dad’s Responsibilities Help your partner make healthy choices:  Avoid Alcohol  Avoid tobacco smoke  Eat nutritious foods  Avoid unsafe drugs  Avoid dangerous household products  Remind her to take vitamins with folate  Make sure she gets prenatal care

23. Drugs, smoking & alcohol can cause Premature Birth

24. Premature Babies are at Risk for Many Health Problems

25. Who is at risk for preterm birth?

26. NICU

27. Cerebral Palsy

28. Sexually Transmitted Infections DiseaseEffectsTreatment Chlamydia Miscarriage, premature birth, pneumonia or eye infection in the baby Antibiotics can cure Chlamydia Gonorrhea Miscarriage, premature birth, eye, joint or blood infections in baby Antibiotics can cure Gonorrhea Syphilis Fetal or infant death, brain damage, blindness, hearing loss Antibiotics can cure, and baby usually won’t be affected if treated by 4 th month of pregnancy Genital Herpes Skin sores, severe infection can cause brain damage, blindness, hearing loss and mental retardation in baby No cure, medicines can treat sores. Doctors can do c-section if there are vaginal sores at time of delivery

29. STDs Congenital systemic herpes infection CT scan of brain after disseminated herpes infection

30. HIV Women who learn that they carry the virus can get treatment for HIV Treatment with antiviral medication dramatically reduces the chance that she will pass HIV on to her babies

31. CONSEQUENCES CHOICES

32. Baby at 30 weeks gestation

33. Anorexia and Pregnancy

34. Nutrition

36. Spina Bifida

37. Energy drinks may contain Caffeine (typically the amount in 2.5 Cokes) Ephedrine (stimulant) Siberian Ginseng (stimulant) Green Tea (caffeine) Echinacea (herb) Ginkgo Biloba (herb) St. John's Wort (antidepressant) Kava Kava (traditional Polynesian sedative) Many substances are harmful in pregnancy

38. Make wise choices now for a healthy baby later

39. Birth Defects Cleft Lip/Palate Downs Syndrome Cerebral Palsy Muscular Dystrophy Sickle Cell Anemia Spina Bifida Tay-Sachs Disease Fetal Alcohol Syndrome PKU Cystic Fibrosis