Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention

Count the Kicks and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are hosting a free Massachusetts Community Baby Shower! Please join us!!!

The Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention is participating in the March of Dimes walk again this year!!!
Date: May, 11 2024
Time: 10:30AM
If you’d like to donate to our team, please use the following:

MARCH FOR BABIES: A MOTHER OF A MOVEMENT Few life events are more joyful than the birth of a child. Yet, no one anticipates a baby born prematurely or very sick and needing to spend time in a newborn intensive care unit. Sadly, for hundreds of thousands of moms in our country, that is the frightening reality. That’s why we are raising mo...

Newborns and children living with birth defects may face unique challenges. Early Intervention (EI) services can help teach new skills to help overcome challenges and succeed in school and life. Find your local EI program:

Early Intervention Division Massachusetts Early Intervention (EI) is a program for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay.

A community of support can help people with birth defects, no matter what experiences they are navigating. Everyone’s journey is unique, shaped by their condition, strengths, & the support system in place. Learn how you can support people living with birth defects at:

Finding Support for Families Living with Birth Defects | CDC One family's choices might not be best for another family, so it’s important to understand options and discuss with a health care provider.

Many infants living with require care from a variety of specialists. Coordination of care helps families work with their healthcare team to navigate care. If your child is living with a birth defect, contact Care Coordination for support: www.mass.gov/info-details/about-dph-care-coordination

About DPH care coordination Learn about Department of Public Health (DPH) care coordination services for parents and providers

Folic acid is a B vitamin that can help prevent major . Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, before and during pregnancy.

Folic Acid: The Best Tool to Prevent Neural Tube Defects Learn how to increase your chance of having a healthy baby

Many children living with require care from a variety of specialists. If your child has a birth defect, their healthcare provider can coordinate care for your child’s needs & connect you with support groups and counseling. Learn how you can get support at:

Birth Defects and the Health Care Provider’s Role | CDC A health care provider plays an important role in the care of a child with a birth defect.

Did you know? Every 4.5 minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the U.S. As medical care improves, people with birth defects are living longer and healthier lives. Learn more about how you can support children living with birth defects at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/facts.html

What are Birth Defects? | CDC Read about what we have learned about birth defects and how women can improve their chances of having a baby born without a birth defect.

While not all birth defects can be prevented, certain behaviors and health choices can reduce the risk of having a baby born with a birth defect. Take steps to help you and your baby be as healthy as can be: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/prevention.html

Commit to Healthy Choices to Help Prevent Birth Defects | CDC Make a PACT to get healthy before and during pregnancy.

While is a medical term, it doesn’t mean that an individual is defective. It refers to health conditions that develop in a baby before birth. Learn about the causes, diagnosis, and prevention of birth defects at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/families.html

Families | Birth Defects | NCBDDD | CDC Tools and information about birth defects for families.

January is Birth Defects Awareness Month! Birth defects are structural changes that can affect almost any part of the body and can cause lifelong health challenges. Help us raise awareness for these conditions and learn more at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/awareness-month/index.html

National Birth Defects Awareness Month CDC recognizes January as National Birth Defects Awareness Month.

COUNT THE KICKS IS EXPANDING IN MASSACHUSETTS! Count the kicks is thrilled to announce the partnership with the Department of Public Health to bring the Count the Kicks program to expectant parents and providers in Massachusetts!

Through the partnership, maternal health providers, birthing hospitals, social service agencies, childbirth educators and anyone who works with expectant parents in Massachusetts can order FREE Count the Kicks educational materials to share with the expectant parents they serve.

For Massachusetts families, 1 in every 238 pregnancies end in stillbirth. We hope to bring the same success to Massachusetts as we have seen in Iowa, which would save 91 babies from preventable stillbirth in the state each year.

Count the Kicks Launches in the State of Massachusetts - Count the Kicks Count the Kicks is partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to bring kick counting education to Massachusetts families.

The Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention is participating in the March of Dimes walk again this year!!!

Date: May, 13 2023
Time: 10:30AM

If you’d like to donate to our team, please use the following:

MARCH FOR BABIES: A MOTHER OF A MOVEMENT Few life events are more joyful than the birth of a child. Yet, no one anticipates a baby born prematurely or very sick and needing to spend time in a newborn intensive care unit. Sadly, for hundreds of thousands of moms in our country, that is the frightening reality.That’s why we are raising mon...

Health care providers:

All people capable of becoming pregnant should consume 400 mcg of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects. Remember about half of U.S. pregnancies are unplanned.

Many infants with birth defects, such as heart defects & gastroschisis, are not “cured” after surgery. Lifelong medical care is needed to ensure that these individuals lead longer, healthier lives. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/stories/gastroschisis.html
https://averysangels.org/gastroschisis/

Happy Mother's Day!!!

The Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention honors moms everywhere striving to have the healthiest pregnancies possible! !

The Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention is participating in the March of Dimes walk again this year!!! If you’d like to donate to our team, please use the following: https://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t2972983

Today is World Down Syndrome Day!!!

World Birth Defects Day Twitter Chat! Please join!

February 7-14th, 2022 is Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week!!!

Do you have or know someone with a congenital heart defect (CHD)? It's more common than you think! Over 1 million adults are living with CHDs, and it is the most common birth defect. Learn about the long-term challenges and how to live well with CHDs. https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/congenital-heart-disease

This week is Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Awareness Week. Did you know that CHD is the most common birth defect/anomaly? However, thanks to medical advances, 9 out of 10 children born with CHD now survive into adulthood. To learn more about CHD, visit https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/congenital-heart-disease/overview

Congenital Heart Disease - Overview | CardioSmart – American College of Cardiology It's amazing to think that a baby's heart starts developing within a few weeks into pregnancy. For expectant moms and dads, hearing the "thump, thump" of the baby's heartbeat is a sure sign of the life that is growing inside.

What’s healthy for you is also healthy for your baby. Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol and to***co to minimize harmful effects on your baby. Learn more: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/alcohol-pregnancy/

Meeting the complex needs of a child with birth defects can be hard. Early Intervention (EI) services can help teach new skills to help your child overcome challenges and succeed in school and life. Find your local EI program: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ei-program-contact-information

Preparing for pregnancy? Work with your healthcare provider now to plan for healthy habits and practices that benefit your body and mind before and throughout your pregnancy. https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/exercise-pregnancy

Children with birth defects can have complex needs. If you’re a parent of a child with birth defects, talk to your healthcare provider about your child’s needs – so you can make the best possible choices for your child’s health. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/awareness-month/index.html

National Birth Defects Awareness Month CDC recognizes January as National Birth Defects Awareness Month.

If you are pregnant or planning to be, talk with your healthcare provider about getting up to date on all your vaccines. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/vaccinations-and-pregnancy.aspx #

Not all birth defects can be prevented, but you can increase your chances of having a healthy baby by being your healthiest self - both before & during pregnancy. Vaccines help protect you & your baby against serious diseases. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html

Looking for information about birth defects but don’t know where to start? Check out resources for people living with birth defects and their families at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/awareness-month/index.html

National Birth Defects Awareness Month CDC recognizes January as National Birth Defects Awareness Month.