Research is constantly looking for cures for cancer and other diseases; as well as birth defects in babies born to healthy women. 

According to the March of Dimes, there are more than 4,000 different known birth defects, in respect to unborn children, ranging from minor to major in the Unites States. 

Out of that statistic, 150,000 babies are born with birth defects each year in the United States alone.  And of that 150,000 babies, 3 out of 100 babies are born in the United States with some sort of major birth defect. (http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/il/birth_defects.html)

Why are all these babies being born with some sort of birth defect?  The experts blame it on genetics, environmental, and / or unknown factors.  We cross off genetics and what are our causes?  Environmental or unknown factors?  What is “environmental” anyway?  “Environmental” has something to do with nature and its effects.  Could mean a pesticide that was administered to your local area at the exact time of your baby’s developmental growth.  An unknown chemical leak in your house.  Lead paint on your walls that you are unaware.  Or asbestos in your ceiling that you never knew was there. 

These are scary statistics.  Basically, if the birth defect is not related to “genetics”, then your unborn baby is susceptible to any sort of chemical or poison floating around in the environment.  These are uncertain elements that healthy women have no control over.  It is sad because most of these women will blame themselves in some silent way, but it is not the mother or the father’s fault.  However, who is to blame?  How can we prevent our unborn children from being a part of a “statistic”?  And why are our babies being born with birth defects if we as mothers are taking care of our bodies and our babies during our pregnancy? 

I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I will continue to research them to find out why are babies are being born with birth defects when we, as mothers, are taking care of our bodies during pregnancy and it is not genetic related. 

Written By:  Ask Ms Mandi