What Are The 3 REAL Causes of Birth Defects?

Did you know 8 million babies are born with birth defects every year?

It’s a heavy topic. But we’ve got to talk about it.

Because the truth is—most people have no idea what really causes birth defects. The way we’re taught to think about this stuff? It’s incomplete at best. So here’s the real story. There are three major causes of birth defects—and yes, they’re preventable.

1. Nutritional Deficiency (a.k.a. Embryonic Deficiency)

This is the big one. The most overlooked. And the most important.

There are 90 essential nutrients the body needs—every single one of them plays a role in your biology. When you’re deficient in one, that can create up to 10 symptoms. So if you’re low on 20, 30, or 70 of them? You’re looking at real problems.

Now imagine a baby forming in that environment. We call it embryotic deficiency. The baby is built from the nutrients mom and dad have. If mom is missing 77 of the 90… and dad’s missing 32… the embryo is already compromised before it even takes its first breath.

Pregnancy is a time when the mother is literally eating for two. That’s not just a saying—it’s biology. Cravings for salty foods like pickles? That’s the body begging for minerals. Because she needs more—for both of them.

But here's the catch: once that baby is born, the “cake is baked.” Chronic issues we can work with. Fibromyalgia, bunions, migraines—those we can help with head-to-toe healing. But birth defects? That’s set in stone. Conditions like Down syndrome, club foot, spina bifida, cleft lips, type 1 diabetes… all of them can be rooted in nutrient deficiencies during development.

2. Pelvic Position and Womb Misalignment

This might surprise people. But it’s huge.

If the pelvis is tilted—what we call a posterior pelvic tilt—it can throw off the entire position of the womb. Muscles move bones, and when muscles are dysfunctional, the bones follow. I talk about this in my book, Muscles Move Bones.

If the womb is misaligned, blood and oxygen flow to the baby can be restricted. That baby can miss out on essential nutrients—not because mom isn’t taking them, but because they’re not getting delivered properly.

Worse, a misaligned womb can create an acidic environment, which is the last thing you want for a developing human. And this tilt is everywhere. I see it all the time in my posture analyses—especially in women who end up needing C-sections. It’s no coincidence. The position of the womb directly affects the birth process.

3. Toxic Lifestyle: Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Sugar

This one’s more obvious—but it still needs to be said.

Alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs—these are straight-up toxic for a developing baby. Even sugar can wreak havoc on brain development. And what is alcohol? Fermented sugar juice. So yes, it affects the brain. Especially when the brain is still forming.

Now, maybe you don’t end up with a textbook “defect,” but maybe the child is small, underdeveloped, struggling with cognitive function or emotional regulation. All of this is connected.

The Wake-Up Call

Here’s the kicker: birth defects have been almost completely eliminated in the animal world.

Why?

Because farmers figured it out. They supplement their livestock. When mama cow is going to mate with papa bull, they make sure both are topped off with nutrients before conception. That’s why you don’t see calves being born with spina bifida.

We could do the same thing.

If you're planning to have a child, the best gift you can give them isn’t a fancy crib or organic diapers—it’s your own health. Six months. Get healthy from head to toe—both parents. Then make the baby.

That’s how you break the cycle.

If this message resonates with you—or if you know someone who’s thinking about starting a family—share it. This is life-changing stuff. Literally.

For more education, visit drkevinreese.com. You’ll find books, videos, and the largest collection of video testimonials in this space.

Talk to you soon.

—Dr. Reese