Birth defects are one of the leading causes of infant mortality, making up nearly 20% of all infant deaths every year. Even infants who survive with their defects often require a lifetime of medical care and may never fully be able to enjoy life like others. Because of this, patients need to know the effects prescription medications will have on their unborn children to prevent birth defects. Unfortunately, because opioids can cause birth defects when taken as early as one month before pregnancy, some women unknowingly put their unborn children at risk before they even become pregnant.
