Question 1: Can vitamins help prevent some birth defects?
Answer: Yes
Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. Most women need 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day to help prevent birth defects. Women who might have pregnancies at high risk for certain birth defects should talk to their doctor about the right amount of folic acid for them.
Learn about folic acid »
Question 2: Is it okay to drink a little beer or wine now and then during pregnancy?
Answer: No
There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant. There is also no safe time during pregnancy to drink and no safe kind of alcohol. CDC urges pregnant women not to drink alcohol any time during pregnancy.
Learn about alcohol use in pregnancy »
Question 3: Is it okay for a pregnant woman to take prescription medication?
Answer: Maybe
Women should talk to their doctor before starting or stopping any prescription medications. Some medications are known to be harmful when taken during pregnancy. But, there is not enough known about the safety of most medications taken by pregnant women. Some pregnant women must take medications to treat health conditions such as asthma, epilepsy (seizures), high blood pressure, or depression. If these conditions are not treated, a pregnant woman or her unborn baby could be harmed. It is important that women discuss with their doctor which medications are needed during pregnancy and which are likely to be the safest to take during pregnancy.
Learn about medications and pregnancy »
Question 4: Can a woman with diabetes have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby?
Answer: Yes
If a woman with diabetes keeps her blood sugar well controlled before and during pregnancy, she can reduce the chance of having a baby with birth defects. Controlling blood sugar also reduces the chance that a woman will develop common problems of diabetes, or that the problems will get worse during pregnancy.
Learn about diabetes and pregnancy »
Question 5: Is it okay to get vaccinations during pregnancy?
Answer: Yes, for a number of vaccines.
Many vaccinations are safe and recommended during pregnancy, but some are not. Having the right vaccinations at the right time can help keep a woman and her baby healthy. The flu shot is recommended during pregnancy and is safe to get at any time while you are pregnant. The flu shot can protect pregnant women, their unborn babies, and even the baby after birth. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) is also recommended for pregnant women after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and some other vaccines are recommended for certain women.
Learn about vaccinations during pregnancy »
Learn about flu and pregnancy »
Question 6: Can birth defects be diagnosed before the baby is born?
Answer: Yes for many types of birth defects
Tests like an ultrasound and amniocentesis can detect birth defects such as spina bifida, heart defects, or Down syndrome before a baby is born. Prenatal care and screening are important because early diagnosis allows families to make decisions and plan for the future. However, not all types of birth defects can be diagnosed before the baby is born.
Question 7: Are birth defects rare?
Answer: No
Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies every year and cause 1 in 5 infant deaths. For many babies born with a birth defect, there is no family history of the condition. However, there are steps women can take to help prevent birth defects.
Learn about preventing birth defects »
Find out more, visit:
www.cdc.gov/birthdefects
