(KUTV) Birth defects are very common in Utah and nationwide. Current trends suggest that a baby is born with a birth defect every 4-and-a-half minutes. Common birth defects include: spinal bifida and orofacial clefts. In most cases, women dont even know their baby has a birth defect until after the baby is born. Doctor Marcia Feldkamp, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah, says that major defects occur 2-8 weeks after conception.Experts say there are things women can do to reduce their chances of having a baby born with a birth defect. And you are encouraged to do these things before you get pregnant. You should:- Maintain a healthy weight- Quit Smoking- Ingest at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every dayThe most important thing you can do is talk to your doctor before you get pregnant and discuss things you can do to reduce your chances of having a baby with a birth defect. In most cases, the cause of birth defects is not known. January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. For more information, visit: www.endbirthdefects.org (Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
