Can birth defects occur in the third trimester?

Can birth defects occur in the third trimester?

I am a 23 year old female. I want to know if birth defects can occur in the third trimester?

2 Answers

Dr. Joseph Adashek

OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist)

Las Vegas, NV

Hello,

So, birth defects actually cannot occur past about 12 weeks. Therefore, once the brain, spine, heart, etc. have all been seen, your baby cannot just "get" a brain defect, etc. There are some types of infections that can cause heart failure or "calcifications" in the liver, brain, etc., however, birth defects cannot occur past 12 weeks.
I hope that this helps.

Warmest Regards,

Joseph A. Adashek, MD FACOG

Dr. Firooz Ravangard

OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist)

Utica, New York

yes