Yes, I used to be a genetic counselor, where I met many families who had a child with a birth defect. I also worked with families of adults with disabilities (most of which resulted from a birth defect) as a house counselor for several group homes for intellectually disabled adults and as a reader for a woman who was blind.

I first heard of the March of Dimes back in the late 70s, when I was working as a genetic counselor in a clinic funded by the March of Dimes. Several years later, I moved to New York and was looking for a job. I found an opening for a health educator at the March of Dimes advertised in the New York Times. Fortunately, I was hired!

The March of Dimes champions the needs of all babies. Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies' lives.

Cleft lip/palate and Down syndrome are among the most common birth defects in the United States. About 6,800 babies are born with cleft lip/palate each year. Cleft lip/palate can cause problems with eating, speech, and language. Some affected babies have a small cleft that can be corrected with one surgical procedure, while others have severe clefts and need multiple surgeries. About 5,500 babies are born each year with Down syndrome.

About 120,000 babies (1 in 33) in the United States are born each year with birth defects. A birth defect is an abnormality of structure, function, or metabolism (body chemistry) present at birth that results in physical or mental disabilities or death. Several thousand different birth defects have been identified. Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life.

There are a number of steps a woman can take to reduce her risk of having a baby with a birth defect. One important step is a preconception visit with her doctor. During this visit, the doctor can identify, and often treat, health conditions that can pose a risk in pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The doctor can provide advice on lifestyle factors, such as quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol, and occupational exposures that can pose pregnancy risks. The doctor can also monitor medications pregnant women need to take during pregnancy. All of these steps help prevent birth defects.

All women who could become pregnant should take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of the B-vitamin folic acid. Studies show that taking this vitamin before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects (spina bifida and anencephaly). If a woman already has had a pregnancy affected by one of these birth defects, she should ask her doctor how much folic acid to take before pregnancy. Generally a higher dose, 4 milligrams, is recommended. Women with diabetes or epilepsy or who are obese are at increased risk of these birth defects. They should ask their doctors before pregnancy about whether they should take the larger dose of folic acid.

Women can ask their doctors how they can lower their risks. They can also read information on the birth defects section of the March of Dimes web site.

We need to provide access to health care, and encourage men and women to plan their pregnancies. We also need to promote preconception health, which means having women and men be as healthy as possible before conception.

Yes, we fund research in several institutions outside of the United States. We also have a global programs initiative, which builds on the Foundation's strengths by developing and implementing innovative programs to promote perinatal health worldwide.

One can spread the word about our mission, volunteer, or donate. Learn more about spreading the word about March of Dimes.

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