(Indianapolis, IN, January 1, 2008)— You never know what the New Year will bring. So, whether or not you’re planning to have a baby this year, (about 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned) IU Women's Health Care at Clarion West and the March of Dimes reminds you that can start the year with habits that will help give a baby a healthy start in life.  First, visit the doctor and ask questions (see list below). Second start taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg. of folic acid daily as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Here’s why.

Each year, more than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime disability.  That’s why the March of Dimes is increasing the visibility about the importance of prenatal care.  Latina star, Thalia, and Tony-award winner Heather Headley are raising their voices to encourage women to get a preconception checkup. 

Sherry Matemachani, Chair of the March of Dimes Program Services Committee in Indianapolis says “We’re glad these recording artists are in tune with us.  It’s important that before a woman is pregnant she talks with her health care provider and asks about these things.”

1.       Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections or other health problems.

2.       Medicines, home remedies or douching.

3.       Taking a multivitamin pill with folic acid in it each day.

4.       Getting to a healthy weight before pregnancy.

5.       Smoking, drinking alcohol and illegal drugs.

6.       Unsafe chemicals or other things to avoid at work and at home.

7.       Lowering stress levels.

8.       Waiting time between pregnancies.

9.       Family history, including premature births.

Birth defects of the brain and spine, known as Neural Tube Defects (NTD) such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are among the most serious types of birth defects. To help prevent NTDs, all women who can become pregnant should take a multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day beginning before pregnancy, as part of a healthy diet containing foods fortified with folic acid and foods that naturally contain folic acid, such as leafy green vegetables, beans, and enriched bread.

Studies show that, if all women consumed the recommended amount of folic acid before and during early pregnancy, up to 70 percent of all NTDs could be prevented.  Matemachani emphasized, “Daily consumption of folic acid beginning before pregnancy is crucial because NTDs occur in the early weeks after conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.”

Birth defects prevention month is also observed by the CDC and sby IU Women's HealthCare.

Birth defects are also often related to premature birth, which has increased more than 30  percent since 1983.  In 2003, the March of Dimes launched a major national campaign to fund research to find the causes and to reduce the incidence of premature birth, currently at 12.7 percent, to the Healthy People 2010 national goal of 7.6 percent.

More detailed information about birth defects, folic acid, and premature birth is available during Birth Defects Prevention Month, and all year, from the Pregnancy Newborn Health Education Center sm  the March of Dimes on-line resource for helping families have healthy babies.  You can also get answers to individual questions by sending an email to askus@marchofdimes.com.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.