October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. I count my blessings every day and I would happily take 10 MORE babies as wonderful and perfect as my imperfect son Jonathan
October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month!
Learn what spina bifida is, how it can be prevented, and where to find resources for those affected.
Spina bifida is a major birth defect of a baby's spine. It is one of the
most common, permanently disabling birth defects in the United States.
Spina bifida occurs within the first few weeks of pregnancy,
often before a woman knows she is pregnant.
It happens when the spine and back bones do not close all the way.
When this happens, the spinal cord and back bones do not form
as they should. A sac of fluid comes through an opening
in the baby's back. Much of the time, part of the
spinal cord is in this sac and it is damaged.
often before a woman knows she is pregnant.
It happens when the spine and back bones do not close all the way.
When this happens, the spinal cord and back bones do not form
as they should. A sac of fluid comes through an opening
in the baby's back. Much of the time, part of the
spinal cord is in this sac and it is damaged.
Most children born with spina bifida live full lives,
though they often have lifelong disabilities
and need many surgeries. Some of the problems
that a person born with spina bifida might face include:
though they often have lifelong disabilities
and need many surgeries. Some of the problems
that a person born with spina bifida might face include:
• Not being able to move lower parts of their body.
(Some might need to use crutches,
braces, or wheelchairs to get around.)
(Some might need to use crutches,
braces, or wheelchairs to get around.)
• Loss of bowel and bladder control.
(Some might have to wear protective clothing.
Others learn new ways to empty their
bladders and bowels.)
(Some might have to wear protective clothing.
Others learn new ways to empty their
bladders and bowels.)
• Fluid building up and putting pressure on the brain
(hydrocephalus), which needs to be fixed with an operation.
(hydrocephalus), which needs to be fixed with an operation.
• Learning disabilities.
• Allergy to latex (a created material found in
some rubber-type products such as balloons
or hospital gloves).
some rubber-type products such as balloons
or hospital gloves).
All children born with spina bifida don't have the same needs.
Some children have problems that are much more severe
than others. Even so, with the right care, most of these
children will grow up to lead full and productive lives.
Some children have problems that are much more severe
than others. Even so, with the right care, most of these
children will grow up to lead full and productive lives.
Preventing Spina Bifida
Most, but not all, cases of spina bifida can be prevented.
Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body needs to make healthy
new cells. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body
before and during pregnancy, her baby is less likely to
have spina bifida or another defect of the brain or spine.
Women need to take folic acid every day, starting
before they get pregnant.
new cells. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body
before and during pregnancy, her baby is less likely to
have spina bifida or another defect of the brain or spine.
Women need to take folic acid every day, starting
before they get pregnant.
Every woman who could possibly get pregnant should
take 400 micrograms
(400 μg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily in a vitamin
or in foods that have been enriched with folic acid.
take 400 micrograms
(400 μg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily in a vitamin
or in foods that have been enriched with folic acid.
Learn more about folic acid, how to get enough each day,
and where to find free education materials.
and where to find free education materials.
Great post!
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