(HealthDay News) -- Not all birth defects can be prevented, but a woman can take some actions that help her chances of having a healthy baby. Many birth defects happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows that she's pregnant.
If you are planning to get pregnant or are already pregnant, one of the most important things you can do is to see your health care provider. Prenatal (before birth) care can help find some problems early in pregnancy so that they can be monitored or treated before birth.
The National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities suggests you also do the following: