Until recently experts assumed that most deformities resulted from faulty heredity. Now it is known that many deformities are caused by circumstances during the nine months prior to birth.

Many babies born with birth defects, it has been discovered are from mother’s who contracted German Measles otherwise known as Rubella during the first three months of pregnancy. You may recall hearing about the THALIDOMIDE TRAGEDY that occurred in England and Germany during the sixties. Five thousand babies with deformed arms and legs were born to mothers who had taken the drug during their pregnancies. The same is happening in some Middle Eastern countries now where chemicals have been used during the wars there.

There are also, of course, inherited deformities. These occur where there is a fault in the gene that controls the development of any particular part of the body. Fortunately, the faulty genes in one person’s cells are usually not the faulty ones in the cells of another.

When the husband and wife come from unrelated family lines, the defective genes contributed by one partner when their child is conceived do not usually match the faulty genes the other partner contributes. If the husband and wife are related as in the case of first or second cousins, then the probability that their faulty genes will coincide is greatly increased.

Occasionally a congenital deformity is brought about by genes which are dominant so that the deformity will show up in the offspring in spite of marriage to a partner with normal genes.

Early in the 20th century it became apparent that exposure to X rays may have a damaging effect on human sex cells and that includes both male and female. Precautions must be taken when undergoing X rays as they can result in deformities in babies.

Deficiencies of diet can severely affect the growing cells during the time of development. It is vitally important that you consult a doctor as soon as you suspect that you are pregnant. All medicines must be taken with caution and your doctor is the best person to advice you on this matter. Discuss with him where you’d like your baby to be born. Take heed of any advice he gives you.

Enjoy your pregnancy. It is a time of celebration and love. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life. Join an Anti Natal Class where you will meet other pregnant women. You can enjoy a healthy and fit pregnancy by following the procedures mentioned above.