Question 1

why are some babies are born with birth defects ?

Accepted Answer

Many reasons.: Genetic, environmental, drug teratogenicity, accidental factors all can cause birth defects. 2-4% of all liveborns in the us have a major or minor anomaly at birth. Take Folic Acid 1-5 mg daily starting at least 3-12 months before conception to prevent >90% of open neural tube defects and >75% of cardiac defects!

Question 2

what are the odds that my child will be born with birth defects?

Accepted Answer

Many factors: Overall, the risk of birth defect is in the 2-4% range. But multiple other factors can change that - maternal age is the biggest, but also consider your history of other birth defects.
Check with your obgyn for details.

Question 3

in other countries are women likely to abandon their child if born with birth defects ?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This depends on the culture as well as socioeconomic level that baby is born into.

Question 4

just found out that military babies born with birth defects may be linked to anthrax and gases/ is this true?

Accepted Answer

No: Children born to us servicemembers do have birth defects, but  not more often than any other group: 3/100 births. These questions about parents' exposure to chemicals, infections, or stress during war - from vietnam to the present - have been studied within the us military and by outside agencies and contractors. Some anecdotes seem alarming, but no unusual scientific findings have been reported.

Question 5

first baby born with birth defects and died after delivery.will second one have same problem.nobody has defects in the family?

Accepted Answer

Difficult to say: Many children born with multiple birth defects represent sporadic chromosomal defects with rare if any recurrence risk.Any pregnancy has a 4% risk of unexpected outcome ( premi, cleft, etc.) but your case may need special analysis.A geneticist could decide from reviewing your first babies defects if you need additional studies to decide this issue. They are often found at children's hospitals.

Question 6

is a woman more likely to have a child born with birth defects if she's had multiple miscarriages, as opposed to a same aged woman that's had none?

Accepted Answer

No: She may be having miscarriages due to other problems not related to the fetus.    Best of luck.  Consider seeing a high risk OBGYN.

Question 7

is it true if a parent that has schitsophrania has a baby, the baby can be born with birth defects? such as a hole in the heart or baby as vegetable?

Accepted Answer

Not true: She has a chance to have a normal baby like anyone else.

Question 8

alc is 7.0)i changed my diet & working on reversing my type 2. i would like to get pregnant & i want to know if i keep my glucose controlled through out pregnancy will my baby born with birth defects & will i hav to take insulin? im not on any meds

Accepted Answer

Some basics: Every pregnancy has a basic risk approaching 4% of an unexpected outcome including birth defects,prematurity,infection &amp; others. A fetus makes its own insulin &amp; good glucose control limits the risk of an oversized baby or one with hypoglycemia after the cord is clamped. Insulin use may/not be in your future. You cannot eliminate all risk but good control maximizes your chance for a normal outcome

Question 9

will your baby be born with birth defects if you have genital herpes?

Accepted Answer

No: Genital herpes does not cause birth defects. It is important to understand that it is not recommended for a woman to have a vaginal delivery if she has active lesions (an outbreak) when it is time to deliver. This reduces the risk of neonatal (newborn) infections.

Question 10

if the father takes antidepressants at conception can the unborn baby be affected or be born with birth defects?

Accepted Answer

Not likely!: It is highly unlikely that a father taking antidepressants when his wife conceives, would expect any effect on the developing fetus. A large review  of women taking antidepressants before and during pregnancy failed to find any major adverse effect. Consider what the effect of a clinical depression, in either mother or father, might have on a developing fetus. Many  "self-medicate" w/alcohol, etc.

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Doctor answers about:

Born birth defect

A member asked:

Why are some babies are born with birth defects ?

A member asked:

What are the odds that my child will be born with birth defects?

A member asked:

In other countries are women likely to abandon their child if born with birth defects ?

A member asked:

Just found out that military babies born with birth defects may be linked to anthrax and gases/ is this true?

A member asked:

First baby born with birth defects and died after delivery.will second one have same problem.nobody has defects in the family?

A member asked:

Is a woman more likely to have a child born with birth defects if she's had multiple miscarriages, as opposed to a same aged woman that's had none?

A member asked:

Is it true if a parent that has schitsophrania has a baby, the baby can be born with birth defects? such as a hole in the heart or baby as vegetable?

A member asked:

Alc is 7.0)i changed my diet & working on reversing my type 2. i would like to get pregnant & i want to know if i keep my glucose controlled through out pregnancy will my baby born with birth defects & will i hav to take insulin? im not on any meds

A member asked:

Will your baby be born with birth defects if you have genital herpes?

A member asked:

If the father takes antidepressants at conception can the unborn baby be affected or be born with birth defects?

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