It was neat to see Denny bring up CAH and how hormones influence the
development of a baby's sex, and I had to add my 2-cents worth, especially
after also seeing the topic on another list I subscribe to.
 It's important to realize that gender is actually not as clear-cut as we
think it may be!!
"Ambiguous Genitalia"  happens  one in every 2,000 births, and is caused by
many different endocrine and chromosome disorders, with a more common one
being CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia). Numerous and specific chemical
changes need to occur for us to develop clearly either as male or female,
and when there are any variations in utero, we then have a baby who is born
with ambiguous genitalia. We have heard more about this interesting
condition
in recent years, mostly because it is more openly talked about now than ever
before. I have a research back-ground on Ambiguous Genitalia or "intersex"
as it's sometimes called.
Because it  IS  more common than we think it is,  we (as professionals
routinely working with mothers and babies right after birth and in the early
weeks), are more likely to encounter it.  Anyone interested in learning more
about this is welcome to email me, and please feel free to use me as a
resource in this area!

--Cherie Sintes
MOM, LLLL, Nursing Student

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