Center For Better Beginnings Logo

Education

Our Most Powerful Tool | Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Exposures Education

Education is an important component of supporting healthy pregnancies. The Center for Better Beginnings recognizes the importance of education as a powerful mechanism for change. On a daily basis, we educate people and healthcare providers about the safety of pregnancy and breastfeeding exposures via our MotherToBaby California information service. We also offer public workshops to educate the community about a wide variety of topics related to birth defects prevention, tailoring a curriculum to meet the needs of the audience—be it healthcare providers, social workers or expectant parents. Further, we are fueling the future of pediatrics and birth defects prevention by training the next generation of physicians and scientists through medical as well as pre-and post-doctoral fellowships. Finally, education is an important component of supporting healthy pregnancies, and our annual Nine Months Matter community event is dedicated to raising widespread awareness that no amount of alcohol can be considered safe in pregnancy. Thirsty for education we can provide? Read on!

  • Information & Counseling Services

    Information You Can Trust When Decisions Matter Most

    The Center for Better Beginnings’ public health information service, MotherToBaby California, provides free risk assessment and up-to-date, evidence-based information to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their health care providers regarding the effects of medications, recreational substances, chemicals, and many other environmental agents. Our expert information specialists can be reached directly by phone, email or live-chat. MotherToBaby California is an affiliate of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).

    Learn More

  • Public Workshops

    Seminars for Awareness, Prevention & Support

    The Center for Better Beginnings is committed to educating a wide variety of audiences interested in learning about the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented and treated, including health care providers, social workers and the general public. Our educational in-service workshops bring you expertly crafted content based on evidence-based, up-to-date information that is relevant to your needs.

    Learn More

  • Professional Training

    Outstanding Public Health & Medical Education

    The Center for Better Beginnings is part of UC San Diego’s highly acclaimed School of Medicine. World renowned, the UC San Diego School of Medicine is ranked 18th among 118 research-intensive medical schools by U.S. News & World Report. Housed within the Pediatrics Department in the Division of Dysmorphology & Teratology, the Center focuses on training the next generation of pediatricians specializing in dysmorphology and the next generation of scientists with research interest in teratology, perinatal epidemiology, or other aspects of maternal health and child development.

    Learn More

  • Community Awareness & Advocacy

    Promoting Alcohol-Free Pregnancies

    On September 9, 2016, we hosted the 1st annual Nine Months Matter: Walkfest for Healthy, Alcohol-Free Pregnancy in partnership with the Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary and SoCal NOFAS. This free community event will be held every year in September to increase our community’s awareness of how devastating prenatal alcohol exposure is for a developing baby, and to advocate for alcohol-free pregnancies. Learn more about our inaugural 2016 event and get the early scoop on 2017!

    Visit Website