Question

My husband and I have normal chromosomes. I gave birth to a deformed child at 38 weeks of pregnancy, who died after four months of intensive care in the hospital’s ICU. The examination found that the child had an extra 18th chromosome and multiple deformities. This is my second child, and the first one was very healthy. I want to know why I gave birth to such a child. During my pregnancy, I was on bed rest at home and rarely went out. Now I am afraid that the same thing might happen again when I get pregnant. What should I do? I got pregnant with my second child three months after my first child. At that time, I had a lot of milk, lost half of my hair, was prone to catching a cold while breastfeeding at night, and had a weak constitution. I suspect it might be due to poor egg quality. At six weeks of pregnancy, the doctor said the fetus was too small, not looking like a six-week-old fetus, and asked me to come back for another check-up in a few weeks.

Answer

Hello, based on your description, this situation is indeed unpredictable. It is generally recommended to continue observation and undergo regular checks. Chromosomal abnormalities may lead to similar conditions, and we know that chromosomal abnormalities can have a significant impact on the fetus. If not treated promptly or correctly, the condition may worsen rapidly, posing serious harm to the child. Therefore, it is advised that you seek treatment at a professional hospital.