What’s Best For You is Best For Your Baby: An Overview of Birth Defects, How They Affect Perinatal Mental Health, and Measures To Promote a Healthy Pregnancy

Thrive • Jan 11, 2022

By Thrive Reno’s Director of Perinatal Psychiatry, Andrea Thompson, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Birth defects are more prevalent than many think. According to the CDC , one in 33 babies are born with a birth defect in the United States each year, which translates to about 120,000 babies a year. Every four and a half minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in America alone.

Some common birth defects include:

Cleft palate: Occurs when the tissue of the roof of the mouth doesn’t join together completely during pregnancy.
Clubfoot: Describes an array of foot abnormalities in which a baby’s foot is twisted or out of place.
Trisomy 21 or down syndrome: Chromosomal anomaly in which an extra chromosome causes a genetic condition.
Valve cardiac abnormalities: Describes a range of conditions that can occur when the heart and blood vessels don’t develop normally.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR BIRTH DEFECTS

Many individuals mistakenly believe that all birth defects are caused by the parents’ exposure to certain medications , infections, and chemicals while pregnant. In fact, most birth defects are passed genetically and for many types of birth defects, the causes are unknown.

There are certain factors that contribute to birth defects. Parents may face greater risk if they:

Are 35 years of age or older.
Have a family or personal history of birth defects.
Have had a child with a birth defect.
Use certain medicines around the time they become pregnant.
Have a medical condition such as diabetes.
Use recreational drugs or drink alcohol during pregnancy.

BIRTH DEFECT PREVENTION MEASURES

Although many birth defects can’t be prevented despite parents’ best efforts, there are steps parents can take to lessen the risk of birth defects. As part of their “Best for You. Best for Baby.” campaign, the National Birth Defects Prevention Network suggests the following efforts for preventing birth defects.

Reach a healthy weight: Before conceiving, try to reach a healthy weight by eating adequately and consistently, and including a wide variety of foods in your diet while also embracing the practice of Intuitive Eating .
Consume folic acid: Include 400 micrograms of folic acid in your daily diet. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps make new cells as well as prevent brain and spinal birth defects.
Check before changing your medication: Consult your health care provider before beginning or ending the use of any medication.
Get current on your vaccinations: Ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations.
Abstain from drugs and alcohol: Avoid harmful substances during pregnancy, such as drugs and alcohol.

HEALTH CARE SUPPORT FOR FACING POTENTIAL BIRTH DEFECTS

The most ideal approach to preventing birth defects is for parents to discuss the risks with their OB-GYN or midwife before they even conceive. However, many circumstances surrounding pregnancy don’t allow for this kind of preparation.

Whether parents are hoping to conceive or are already expecting, the health care resources listed below can provide support in dealing with the potential of birth defects:

Prenatal tests: Screen for genetic disorders, chromosomal disorders, and heart defects.
Genetic counselors: Review parents’ health history, prenatal tests, and other factors to determine the risk of having a baby with a birth defect, in addition to offering guidance to parents on next steps.
High-risk pregnancy doctors: Provide care and oversight for pregnancies with potential complications.

BIRTH DEFECTS AND PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH

Any circumstances that deviate from what parents consider ‘a normal pregnancy’ can be upsetting. So, finding out that their baby has a birth defect can considerably disrupt parents’ perinatal mental health .

When faced with the potential of having a baby with a birth defect, parents commonly experience:

Feelings of anxiety: As they undergo tests and worry about their baby’s health and future.
Feelings of grief: For the perfectly healthy baby they had hoped for.
Feelings of guilt or shame: From a sense of perceived failure over not having a perfectly healthy baby.

These mental health struggles can increase parents’ risk for developing postpartum depression and anxiety. By seeking perinatal mental health support early, parents can navigate any mental health challenges, obtain guidance throughout their perinatal journey, and create a support network of understanding individuals.

PERINATAL SUPPORT AT THRIVE

Thrive supports parents on their perinatal journeys — no matter what those journeys consist of. At Thrive Reno, our perinatal experts include medical professionals, psychiatrists, therapists, nutritionists and mindful movement specialists who collaborate to counsel, heal, and nurture new parents. Thrive Reno offers a perinatal mental health support group , outpatient perinatal therapy , as well as an “ It Takes a Village” Day Program for perinatal mental health, so individuals can confidently and joyfully embrace new parenthood, whatever the circumstances. Reach out to us to learn more.

About the Author

Andrea Thompson, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC — Thrive Reno’s Director of Perinatal Psychiatry

Andrea Thompson, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC is a Nurse Practitioner whose background has stemmed in primary care, primarily working with under-served and under-insured populations. After several years in family practice, she completed a Post Master’s certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. In early 2019, she started a program the first of its kind in Northern Nevada to integrate mental health services into a women’s health/OBGYN practice where she had a focus on perinatal mood and anxiety disorder diagnosis and treatment which solidified her passion for Perinatal/Reproductive Psychiatry. She has also completed certificate training with Postpartum Support International. As a postpartum depression survivor herself, she has a passion for helping other women throughout their journey to mental wellness. She and her husband moved to the Reno area several years ago from Seattle, WA to settle into a place to raise their family; they have three young boys. Aside from spending time with her family outdoors, Andrea is also active in the efforts to improve the sexual health education offered to the youth in our community as well as advocating at the state level to support Nurse Practitioner autonomy and Maternal Mental Health.

The post What’s Best For You is Best For Your Baby: An Overview of Birth Defects, How They Affect Perinatal Mental Health, and Measures To Promote a Healthy Pregnancy first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.