Losing a Baby Miscarriage: before 20 weeks Stillbirth: after 20 weeks

Birth Defects Serious problems that threaten health or ability to live Some mild some lifelong disabilties 3 of every 100 children born in U.S have a birth defect Not all are apparent at birth

Environmental First few weeks baby depends on mother for nourishment and oxygen. Balanced diet Disease/infection of mother Harmful substances Medicines Exposure to hazards

Hereditary 5-6 recessive genes are imperfect in person Single copy will have no effect but both parents may pass on recessive gene Chromosome errors: could have too few or too many Down syndrome: one child in 800 births

Prenatal Tests Ultrasound: sound waves to make video image. Skeletal/organ defects detected Amniocentesis: withdrawal sample of amniotic fluid using needle. 1 in every 200 women have a miscarriage Chorionic villi sampling: small amounts of tissue from membrane. Small tube entered through vagina into uterus, tissue sampled. Very risky