During fetal life there is no connection between the baby’s blood circulation and that of the mother. All the blood flowing through the baby’s heart is always his own, never his mother’s. Her blood circulation is entirely separate. however, the baby’s bloodstream flows so close to the mother’s-being divided by a very fine living membrane-that he can pick up food materials and oxygen necessary for his own growth, and at the same time get rid of the materials he on longer needs.

As the tiny unborn baby grows, so does his heart. The most critical time of growth is during the first three months of pregnancy. If at that time his mother should come down with some virus infection, such as German measles, the baby’s heart may be deformed by some type of congenital heart disease.

Doctors recognize four major types of heart disease. They are as follows: congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease and coronary artery disease.