Omphalocele is a malformation found at birth where varying amounts of abdominal contents invade the base of the umbilical cord. When the intestines do not return rapidly into the abdomen by the 11th week of pregnancy, an omphalocele is known to be present. The cause of omphalocele is not known, however, there are preventative measures one can take.
Instructions
1. Seek prenatal care. Delivering a healthy baby to full term is very important for the prevention of many ailments that premature babies face when born. Therefore, it is important to receive the best prenatal care possible when you are aware of your pregnancy. Although it is not a direct cause of Omphalocele, monitoring your pregnancy with a trusted physican can ultimately lead to the decreased incidence of this event.
2. Take folic acid if you are pregnant. Folic acid has been known to decrease many neural tube defects, including Omphalocele. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to take folic acid, orally, with permission from your physician. In addition, vitamins are also shown to be effective when preventing Omphalocele, according to different studies.
3. Speak to your physician about any other precautions you can take to prevent the onset of Omphalocele. Your physician can give you an update on the latest studies that involve this condition and what precautions you can take while pregnant with your child.
Tags: folic acid, omphalocele known, precautions take, prenatal care, your pregnancy