January is national Birth Defects Prevention Month and thanks to new research and technology, Dr. Paul Singh with Covenant says its easier to identifying defects earlier.
“Our technology has gotten so much better through ultrasound that we’re able to identify these defects earlier in the pregnancy to help counsel patients,” he said.
He says its important for mommies-to-be to be honest with themselves.
“The biggest things really is early prevention and recognition of trying to plan a pregnancy and if you are high risk just to be honest with yourself and to know your high risk and think about it and before you get pregnant try to get some of these factors under control before you get pregnant,” said Dr. Singh.
Six weeks is the suggest time Dr. Singh gives to his patients to get things under control before even trying to become pregnant. He stressed planning and prevention help minimize risks.
“A multitude of research has shown if women optimize their blood sugar, get on an appropriate insulin regiment, that the birth defects associated with diabetes are completely minimized.”
Dr. Singh says future moms should talk with their doctors about any chronic health issues including thyroid disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
“Now a days with the research that has been done, a lot of other identifiable factors have been found that women can look at and perhaps modify to prevent birth defects,” said Dr. Singh.
