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 • January 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.

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When Emma was 8, her parents noticed her food choices shrinking. At first, they assumed it was just picky eating — “She’ll outgrow it,” friends said. But by 10, Emma would only eat crackers, cheese, and chicken nuggets. Family dinners became nightly struggles, her growth slowed, and she skipped birthday parties to avoid “strange food.” Her parents felt powerless, her brother grew frustrated, and outings dwindled. What began as food avoidance soon reshaped the rhythm of the entire household. When children avoid food, most parents expect it’s a passing stage. But when restriction deepens, shrinks to only a few “safe foods,” and begins affecting growth or health, families suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is often where Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) emerges — with effects that extend far beyond the plate. As providers, we need to be attuned to these patterns. It’s tempting to dismiss them as “no big deal,” yet for many families, they are life-altering. Sadly, Emma’s story is not unusual. Mealtimes as Battlegrounds Families living with ARFID often describe mealtimes as emotionally charged, exhausting, and unpredictable. What should be a chance to connect around the table can feel more like a negotiation or even a standoff. Parents wrestle with whether to push their child to try a new food or give in to the same “safe foods” again and again to avoid tears, gagging, or complete meltdowns. This ongoing tension can make mealtimes dreaded rather than cherished. Siblings, too, are affected. Some may feel resentful when family meals are limited to what only one child will tolerate. Others may act out in response to the constant attention the child with ARFID receives. Over time, the dinner table shifts from a place of nourishment and bonding into a stage for conflict, anxiety, and guilt — a pattern that can erode family cohesion and resilience. Social Isolation and Missed Experiences ARFID impacts more than what happens at home; it influences how families engage with the world around them. Everyday events — birthday parties, school lunches, vacations, even extended family dinners — become sources of stress. Parents may pack special foods to avoid confrontation or, in many cases, decline invitations altogether to protect their child from embarrassment or overwhelm. This avoidance can lead to an unintended consequence: isolation. Families miss out on milestones, friendships, and traditions because of the unpredictability surrounding food. The child may feel left out or ashamed, while parents grieve the loss of “normal” family experiences. This social withdrawal can compound the anxiety already present in ARFID and deepen its impact across generations. Emotional Toll on Parents The emotional strain on parents navigating ARFID is significant. Many describe living in a constant state of worry — Will my child get enough nutrients? Will they ever grow out of this? Am I doing something wrong? This worry often spirals into guilt and self-blame, particularly when outside voices dismiss the disorder as mere “picky eating.” In addition, the pressure to “fix” mealtimes can strain marital relationships, creating disagreements over discipline, feeding strategies, or medical decisions. Parents may also feel emotionally depleted, pouring all their energy into managing one child’s needs while inadvertently neglecting themselves or their other children. Without support, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection within the family system. The Role of Providers For clinicians, ARFID must be viewed not only as an individual diagnosis but as a family-wide challenge. Effective care requires attention to both the clinical symptoms and the family dynamics that shape recovery. Parent Support: Educating caregivers that ARFID is not their fault, offering psychoeducation, and helping them reframe mealtime struggles as part of the disorder — not a parenting failure. Family-Based Interventions: Coaching families in structured meal support, communication strategies, and gradual exposure work so parents don’t feel powerless. Holistic Care: Involving therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and medical providers ensures that the family does not shoulder the weight of treatment alone. When families are validated, supported, and given practical tools, the entire household can begin to heal. Treatment is not only about expanding a child’s food repertoire but also about restoring peace, resilience, and connection at home. Moving Forward ARFID may begin with one individual, but its ripple effects are felt across the entire family system. 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