Question

My husband and I have normal chromosomes, and I gave birth to a deformed child with an extra chromosome 18 at 38 weeks of pregnancy. The child has multiple deformities. This is my second child, and my first was very healthy. Why did I give birth to such a child? I have been on bed rest, rarely going out, and stayed at home during the entire pregnancy. I am now very afraid that another pregnancy will have the same result. What should I do? When I was pregnant with my first child, I had an excessive amount of milk, half of my hair fell out, I easily caught a cold while breastfeeding at night, and I had a weak constitution, which might affect the quality of my eggs? The doctor said the embryo was too small to see clearly at six weeks of pregnancy and asked me to wait and observe.

Answer

Hello, based on the information you provided, your situation is indeed perplexing. Chromosome abnormalities can be a possible cause of fetal deformities, although both you and your husband have normal chromosomes, it is possible for abnormalities in the formation of eggs or sperm. This situation is difficult to predict, and there can be many potential causes, including environmental factors and genetic factors. During the pregnancy check-up, it is common for doctors to be unable to clearly observe the embryo due to its small size. In such cases, regular follow-ups and close observation are important. If you are concerned about having similar issues in another pregnancy, it is recommended that you undergo detailed genetic counseling and tests before planning another pregnancy to understand the risks and take preventive measures. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and avoiding harmful substances, is beneficial.