Hancock County was formed in 1829 from portions of Breckinridge, Daviess, and Ohio counties. The county is named for John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The courthouse, the second to serve the county, was built in 1868 and renovated in 1978. Geography
1 If you are sexually active and pregnancy is a possibility, make sure you take a multivitamin daily, which includes the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid and other essential B vitamins. 2  Avoid all activities that could potentially lead to birth defects, including alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and caffeine.
Birth defects can be caused by genetic factors and by a variety of environmental injuries such as infection, radiation, and drug exposure during pregnancy. The majority of birth defects, however, are without detectable cause.About 20 percent of birth defects are caused by genetic or hereditary factors.arents of a child with a birth defect should schedule several long discussions with the childâs doctor at times when both parents can be present. The parents and doctor should thoroughly discuss possible causes, testing, treatment, and referrals to specialists and support groups.