14 Steps to Prevent Cerebral Palsy

More than 10,000 American children are living with cerebral palsy. This congenital disorder creates neurological damage in the cerebellum, the region of the brain that handles motor skills, balance, and language. There is no surgical method or drug protocol that can reverse the damage done by the condition but managed care and support can help children cope with the effects of CP.

Medical science is still at a loss to explain the reason for the onset of cerebral palsy, and there are no immediate medications or vaccines available to prevent CP from occurring during pregnancy directly. Children born with cerebral palsy find that they experience some form of mental and physical disability. In the worst cases, the child may develop quadriplegia, with severe learning and social impairments.

Expectant mothers can reduce the risk of their unborn child, developing the condition by making adjustments to lifestyle factors. Here are eight steps to prevent cerebral palsy during pregnancy. 

1.    Get Vaccinated

Research shows that exposure to viruses and bacteria when pregnant may increase the risk of the unborn child developing cerebral palsy. Some diseases, such as hepatitis and the zika virus may cause complications with fetal development during pregnancy, resulting in congenital disabilities and issues with fetal development – such as cerebral palsy.

Women who are planning a family with their partner should visit their doctor for a checkup before falling pregnant. It’s vital to ensure that you have all of your vaccinations up to date to ensure that you do not transmit and infections to the unborn child. 

Many mothers may be hesitant to get vaccinations due to the misinformation floating around the internet regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. However, the “anti-vax” movement does not base their findings in real medical science, and the data shows that vaccinations work, and only cause harm in sporadic cases. 

Women should wait for 6-months after receiving a vaccination before trying for a child with their partner.