Kay Hagan: “today I am proud to introduce the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act. This bill would ensure…”

“today I am proud to introduce the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act. This bill would ensure that women of childbearing age and health care professionals have access to clinical and evidence based information about the risks and benefits of drug, chemical, and nutritional exposures during pregnancy and while a woman is breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and taking medication for chronic diseases such as asthma, hypertension, and epilepsy often have questions about the risks and benefits. Most pregnant women, as we witnessed last year, really want to know what the science indicates on whether they should get vaccinated against H1N1 or the seasonal flu. Oftentimes, women will seek answers to these important questions from an established pregnancy and breastfeeding information service. In fact, each year over 70,000 women and health care providers contact these information services across the country. These information services provide valuable information that empowers women.”