Vocabulary
A pregnancy loss before 20 weeks.
What is a miscarriage?
Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are examples of these causes.
What are environmental causes?
This condition involves an extra chromosome 21.
What is Down syndrome?
This test has not been found to harm the fetus.
What is ultrasound?
Pregnant women should avoid these substances.
What are alcohol, tobacco, and drugs?
A condition present at birth that affects health or development.
What is a birth defect?
Birth defects caused by genes passed from parents.
What are hereditary causes?
This birth defect affects the spine and nervous system.
What is spina bifida?
Doctors often use this test for mothers over age 35 to detect Down syndrome.
What is amniocentesis?
This vitamin can help prevent spina bifida.
What is folic acid?
A prenatal test that uses sound waves to create images of the fetus.
What is an ultrasound?
An extra chromosome can cause this disorder.
What is Down syndrome?
This disease causes thick mucus in the lungs and digestive system.
What is cystic fibrosis?
This prenatal test can be done earlier than amniocentesis.
What is chorionic villi sampling?
This type of counseling helps families understand genetic risks.
What is genetic counseling?
A prenatal test where fluid is removed from around the fetus.
What is amniocentesis?
Poor nutrition during pregnancy can affect this.
What is fetal development?
This disorder affects red blood cells and is more common in African Americans.
What is sickle cell anemia?
A risk of amniocentesis and CVS.
What is miscarriage?
Regular doctor visits during pregnancy are called this.
What is prenatal care?
Testing tissue from the membrane surrounding the fetus.
What is chorionic villi sampling (CVS)?
Scientists believe many birth defects are caused by a combination of these two things.
What are heredity and environment?
This disorder causes progressive muscle weakness and shrinking muscles.
What is muscular dystrophy?
These tests help doctors identify possible birth defects before birth.
What are prenatal tests?
Why are the first few weeks of pregnancy especially important?
Because the baby’s major organs and body systems are developing during that time.