7 Ways to Prevent Birth Defects Before and During Pregnancy

Take a multivitamin with folic acid

If you’re trying to conceive, it’s recommended that you take a daily multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Folic acid is an important B vitamin that has been shown to reduce birth defects, mainly spina bifida and anencephaly. Having an adequate amount of folic acid in your system prior to conception is best to reap these benefits, but it’s important to begin taking it as soon as you learn of a pregnancy. (That’s why it’s important all women of child-bearing age who could get pregnant, even accidentally, take a supplement.)