My older sister, 30, had a medical termination of pregnancy due to an anomaly found in the fetus. Is there anything we can do to prevent anomalies in the next pregnancy?
Yes, she should start taking folic acid (at least 400?800 mcg daily) before getting pregnant again. If her doctor suggests it, she should also obtain tests or genetic counseling. The chance of abnormalities can also be decreased by maintaining good control over diabetes or thyroid conditions, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and scheduling routine prenatal exams early in pregnancy.