July 19, 2011
"When a couple finds out they are expecting a baby, the reactions can run the gamut. But whether you and your partner are screaming with excitement or overcome with anxiety, keep in mind that the baby has already started its path to development: As soon as the conception happens the baby has the 46 chromosomes needed to determine eye color, height and sex," says Doriane C. Miller, MD. Prenatal care is especially important for African-Americans and women age 35 and older. African-American women have a significantly higher rate of pre-term labor, 17.6 percent, compared to other racial groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
