1 in 3,000 babies are born every year with this sometimes fatal disease.  A genetic link can be found in one third of these cases.  Babies can be born with multiple contractures around the joints on one or all four limbs.  These contractures make it impossible for some infants to move and their muscles are rigid.  Some newborns, as with Savannah, also are born with a weak trachea--unable to keep the airway open without assistance.  Other effects suffered can be broken bones upon delivery.  Savannah's femurs were broken in an effort to dislodge her from the uterus.  The causes of Arthrogryposis is undetermined in most cases.  What is certain, is that something causes the fetus to either suffer limited mobility or to stop moving all together.  Detection of the disease prior to birth is very difficult and as in our case, went unnoticed.  Being a first time mom, I was unable to tell the difference between hiccups and kicking.  None of the pregnancy books I read (which were a lot) nor my doctors ever thought to mention this point.  If you are or know a pregnant woman, please pass this information along.  Perhaps it can be prevented.   For more information on Arthrogryposis,  please visit www.shrinershq.org/patientedu/arthrogryposis.html