Fetus Development Problems.An article I read said early pregnancy is the time the fetus is most susceptible to malformations. What does this mean, exactly?
The first 10 weeks of pregnancy (8 weeks of fetal development), called the embryonic period, is a time of extremely important development in the baby. The embryo is most susceptible during this time to factors that can interfere with its development. Most birth defects occur during this period.
What is the chance of my baby having a major birth defect?
Every pregnant couple worries about birth defects. The risk of a birth defect is very low, about 1 to 2%. I was reading a book that mentioned teratology. What is that?
Teratology is the study of abnormal fetal development. When a birth defect occurs, we want to know why it happened. This can be frustrating because we are often unable to determine a cause. A substance that causes birth defects is called a teratogen or is said to be teratogenic. Some things may have a bad effect (be teratogenic) at one point in pregnancy, then be safe at others.
The most critical time of fetal development appears to be early in pregnancy, during the 1 st trimester (first 13 weeks). An example is rubella (German measles). If the fetus is infected during the 1st trimester, abnormalities such as heart defects can occur. If infection happens later, problems are often less serious.
What is a neural-tube defect?
A neural-tube defect is an abnormality in the bone surrounding the spinal cord, in the brain stem or in the brain itself. One of the most common neural-tube defects is spina bifida an absence of vertebral arches, which allows the spinal membrane to protrude. Another abnormality is anencephaly the brain develops only a rudimentary brain stem and only traces of basal ganglia.
Do all medications I take affect my baby? I thought some were safe.
Medications can be grouped into three main groups safe, unsafe and unsure. It's best to avoid any medication during pregnancy unless you discuss it with your doctor before you take it. Some medications, such as thyroid medication, are necessary and important during pregnancy.
It's easier and safer to discuss medication use with your doctor before you take a medicine. For a chart on how some medications can affect the developing fetus,
I know some medications are more harmful than others. What are they?
The medications in the chart on page 96 are the most harmful, but other medications are also unsafe. If you take any of those listed below during your pregnancy, don't panic! Exposure alone does not mean absolute harm to the fetus. Effect on a developing fetus depends on when you took the medication, the amount you took and how long you took it. Talk to your doctor if you believe you took any of the medications listed below: - angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- aminopterin
- anticonvulsants
- benzodiazepines
- ethanol
- etretinate
- live vaccine
- methimazole
- penicillamine (not penicillin)
- ribavirin
- vitamin A (in excessively large doses)
I read about a baby born with cataracts. I thought that only happened to older people is it possible?
Congenital (present-at-birth) cataracts rarely occur and are usually genetic. With cataracts, the lens of the eye is not transparent. Children whose mothers had German measles (rubella) around the 6th or 7th week of pregnancy may be born with cataracts.
We live in an area with lots of air pollution. Can my exposure to smog and bad air affect my baby?
This is rarely a problem and would be very hard to prove. Your lungs and airways filter the air you breathe, which protects your baby.
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