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Once, expectant parents didn't know of the health or sex of their babies before birth. Now, pregnant women routinely are asked if they want to know the sex of the fetus (developing baby) and are offered antenatal (before birth) screening tests for certain birth defects. Additional screening — as well as genetic counseling — is also offered to some women before or during pregnancy based on personal and family health histories. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women be informed about screening for the most common detectable birth defect, Down syndrome.
Birth defects are physical, mental, or biochemical abnormalities that are present at birth. Down syndro…