Are you aware of things that harm the baby (teratogens) during pregnancy?

If you are expecting a baby, or are a loving mother who is already pregnant, we know that the greatest wish in your heart is to bring a healthy, well-being baby into this world. We are concerned about many things on this journey. Among them, you may have heard the word "teratogen". Although this may seem like a scary word, it is very important for you and your unborn baby to be properly informed about this. So let's talk about this today.

Simply put, what is a teratogen?

Simply put, a teratogen is any external substance that enters the mother's body during pregnancy and can harm the development of the developing fetus. These substances increase the risk of birth defects. In fact, exposure to these teratogens is responsible for between 4% and 5% of all birth defects.

Usually, about 10 to 14 days after conception, the mother and baby connect through the placenta, the blood supply. From that point on, anything you are exposed to as a mother, whether it's the medications you take, the food you eat, the air you breathe, etc., can pass to the baby. So, these harmful things called teratogens start to affect the baby around that time.

What things can and can't harm a baby?

During pregnancy , we think twice about everything. "Isn't this good for the baby?", "Is it okay to take that medicine?" You probably have questions like this too. Not all chemicals, not all medicines are harmful to the baby. But some things can be very dangerous. Shall we look at these in a table? Then it will be easier for you to understand.

How do these things affect the baby?

These harmful substances called teratogens can be found anywhere, in our homes and workplaces. The baby's organs are developing early in pregnancy, especially in the first three months. So exposure to these substances is most dangerous during this time.

Physical agents

Some physical factors, such as exposure to high temperatures (hyperthermia), can cause neural tube defects and cardiovascular abnormalities in the baby. Also, if the mother develops a high fever during pregnancy, it can also affect the baby.

Chemical agents

Alcohol and smoking are two of the main causes that we can prevent. Sometimes, even before we know we are pregnant, that is, within the first 3-8 weeks, if we drink alcohol, it can affect the baby. A group of birth defects caused by alcohol is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . This can even affect the baby's mental development.

Infectious agents

Infections such as rubella, syphilis, and herpes can also cause birth defects in the baby. These infections can be transmitted to the mother by drinking contaminated water, eating undercooked meat, or touching infected cat feces (Toxoplasmosis).

Maternal conditions

Some diseases of the pregnant mother can also affect the baby. For example, if the mother has diabetes mellitus , the risk of birth defects can increase from 4% to 10%. Diabetes during pregnancy ( gestational diabetes ) can cause high blood sugar levels in the mother, which can cause problems in the baby's brain and spinal cord. Thyroid diseases and malnutrition can also affect the baby's development.

What can we do to prevent birth defects?

Although not all birth defects can be prevented, there are many things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Prenatal care: It is very important to take a vitamin that contains at least 400 milligrams of folic acid daily from the time you are planning to become pregnant. This can prevent many disorders of the baby's nervous system. Ask your doctor for advice on this.
• Avoid harmful substances: As soon as you find out you are pregnant, completely stop using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs . These can not only cause birth defects, but also other complications during pregnancy.
• Take care of your health: Tell your doctor about any current or past illnesses or infections you have. If you have conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, it's important to get them under control before you get pregnant. If you had a birth defect in a previous pregnancy, find out the cause and work with your doctor to make a plan before you get pregnant again.
• Get proper tests: Getting regular ultrasound scans throughout your pregnancy can help you understand the baby's health.

Is there a treatment for birth defects?

Yes, some birth defects can be treated or minimized while the baby is still in the womb. This is truly a major advancement in medical science. By treating this condition before the baby is born, it can reduce damage to vital organs.

• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: This is a condition where a hole in the baby's diaphragm causes the abdominal organs to protrude into the chest, restricting lung development. This condition can now be treated with a surgery called Fetoscopic Endotracheal Occlusion .
• Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction: In this condition, the baby's urinary tract is blocked, preventing urine from leaving the body. This can cause permanent damage to the kidneys. However, if the blockage is removed before the baby is born, the kidneys can be saved.

In addition to this, if the baby's heartbeat is irregular, the baby can also be treated through medications given to the mother.

Pregnancy, Birth Defects, Teratogen, Teratogen, Folic Acid, Childbirth, Healthy Child, Pregnancy Care