importance of prenatal development

Growth begins to slow around 30 to 32 weeks, but small changes continue until birth. About 45% of pregnancies result in a miscarriage, often without the mother ever … You fill all the paper instructions in the order form. Make sure you include all the helpful materials so that our academic writers ... 2. A zygote begins as a one-cell structure that is created when a sperm and egg merge. The environment can have an important influence on development, and this also includes the prenatal period. It's important to remember that having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to have a healthy baby. During the prenatal time such vital organs as the brain, spinal cord, heart and others are forming. During the embryonic stage, the heart begins to beat and organs form and begin to function. Among other things, it is the process in which a cell determines which genes it will express and when. Use of any type of drug—whether illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter—can be dangerous during pregnancy. For instance, newborn babies can distinguish the smell of their own mother from that of others. This process of cell division is called mitosis. Basic structures of the embryo start to develop into areas that will become the head, chest, and abdomen. Babies born three or more weeks earlier than their due date have greater risk of serious disability or even death. A teratogen is any substance or agent in the environment that can have a detrimental effect on a developing fetus. Alcohol and most drugs cross the placenta and affect the fetus. “Prenatal” comes from the same roots as “pregnant.” “Pre” means before or prior to. Regular medical checkups and prenatal tests are very important. Pay for the order. Environmental factors, such as exposure to teratogens, can have a range of impacts on the developing fetus. Research shows that our development in the womb can have a profound influence on our later lives. The first trimester ends with the end of the embryonic stage, the second trimester ends at week 20, and the third trimester ends at birth. There are three stages of prenatal development: germinal, embryonic, and fetal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Prenatal development is highly influenced by the inheritance, expression, and regulation of genes. Given regions of the brain also show sensitive periods during which they are most susceptible to the teratogenic effects of alcohol (Tran & Kelly, 2003). The child will need to be gradually weaned from the heroin under medical supervision; otherwise, the child could have seizures and die. Prenatal development is a complicated process and may not always go as planned. The sperm and ovum each contain chromosomes that … 4. Mitosis is a fragile process, and fewer than one-half of all zygotes survive beyond the first two weeks (Hall, 2004). For this reason, genetics play a particularly important role in prenatal development. The policy required patient education about the harmful effects of substance abuse during pregnancy. Once these neurons h… Most everything the mother ingests, including food, liquid, and even medication, travels through the placenta to the fetus—hence the common phrase that a mother “eats for two.” Anything the mother is exposed to in the environment affects the fetus; if the mother is exposed to something harmful, the child can show life-long effects. Chromosomes are genetic material that determines many things about a person, such as eye and hair color, biological sex, and personality traits. This union marks the beginning of the prenatal period, which in humans encompasses three distinct stages: (1) the pre-embryonic stage, the first two weeks of development, which is a period of cell division and initial differentiation (cell maturation), (2) the … The cerebral cortex grows larger, and the fetus spends more hours awake. The eyes, ears, nose, and jaw develop; the heart develops chambers; and the intestines grow. Brain growth during this period allows the fetus to develop new behaviors. As you now know, women who use drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause serious lifelong harm to their child. 9-Week Human Embryo from Ectopic Pregnancy. Research into FASD has demonstrated that the time during which a developing fetus is exposed to alcohol can dramatically affect the appearance of facial characteristics associated with FASD. Figure 2. A federal agency later determined that the program involved human experimentation without the approval and oversight of an institutional review board (IRB). It weighs about 6 pounds and is about 18.5 inches long, and by week 37 all of the fetus’s organ systems are developed enough that it could survive outside the mother’s uterus without many of the risks associated with premature birth. The Interagency Policy applied to patients attending the obstetrics clinic at MUSC, which primarily serves patients who are indigent or on Medicaid. The exact extent to which genes, as opposed to an individual’s environment, determine or influence psychological development is hotly debated; this controversy is known as the “nature-vs.-nurture debate.” However, an individual’s genetic makeup at the very least serves as a crucial baseline (which may then be mediated by the environment) for such characteristics as the ability to begin learning spoken language, such personality traits as a tendency toward aggressive versus submissive behavior, and risk levels for such diseases as alcoholism and addiction. In the discussion of biopsychology earlier in the book, you learned about genetics and DNA. At this stage, the fetus is about the size of a kidney bean and begins to take on the recognizable form of a human being. There are many exercise classes designed specifically for pregnant women that help to build strength, improve po… The progression through the stages is shown in Figure 2. By then, the fetus has very little room to move around and birth becomes imminent. August 4, 2015. DNA: DNA is a ladder-like structure that contains genetic material. Prenatal care is necessary to maximize the health of both the mother-to-be and the developing fetus. This lifespan development is organized into different stages based on age. For instance, if you put your finger into a newborn’s hand, you will witness the grasping reflex, in which a baby automatically grasps anything that touches his palms. By then, the fetus has very little room to move around and birth becomes imminent. Pollution, such as exposure to mercury or PCBs, can cause physical deformities, abnormal speech, and difficulty with coordination. The Importance Of Prenatal Development; The Importance Of Prenatal Development. Amongst all of the B-vitamins, Folate, or B9, has been called the ‘pregnancy superhero’. During the germinal stage, the cells necessary for the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid will differentiate to form the embryo. Upon implantation, this multi-cellular organism is called an embryo. Mitosis is a fragile process, and fewer than one-half of all zygotes survive beyond the first two weeks (Hall, 2004). In this section, you’ll learn about many of these changes. . Prenatal vitamins typically don't contain any essential fatty acids, such as the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are important for the development of your baby's brain, nerve, and eye tissue. The developing fetus is completely dependent on the mother for life, and it is important that the mother receives prenatal care, which is medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus. Prenatal development is the process that occurs during the 40 weeks prior to the birth of a child. The developing zygote gets half of its chromosomes from one parent and half from the other parent. The importance of prenatal care during pregnancy cannot be overstated. Think about the miraculous development that occurs during childhood in order for a tiny zygote to grow into a walking, talking, thinking child. Now blood vessels grow, forming the placenta. Alcohol is not safe to drink in any amount during pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy has been found to be the leading preventable cause of mental disabilities in children in the United States (Maier & West, 2001). Once cell differentiation is mostly complete, the embryo enters the next stage and becomes known as a fetus. Newborn infants’ sensory abilities are significant, but their senses are not yet fully developed. If you are interested in learning more about human development in babies, watch this TED talk by Alison Gopnik. Some mutations of the genes can result in conditions such as Down Syndrome or Turner’s Syndrome. This stage starts at the moment of conception. The period of life from conception to the second birthday reveals a profound amount of developmental change, not only physically but also in multiple domains. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a collection of birth defects associated with heavy consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. How did you come to be who you are? Figure 1. Every person is made up of cells containing chromosomes, which are the genetic material that determines many things about a person, such as eye and hair color, biological sex, and personality traits. Beyond checking for folic acid and iron, look for a prenatal vitamin that contains calcium and vitamin D. They help promote the development of the baby's teeth and bones. There are three stages of prenatal development—germinal, embryonic, and fetal. Discuss the impacts of teratogens and maternal stress on prenatal development. Prenatal development is also organized into trimesters: the first trimester ends with the end of the embryonic … The internal organs, including the lungs, heart, stomach, and intestines, have formed enough that a fetus born prematurely at this point has a chance to survive outside of the womb. As the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, several developments take place, including the formation of the: The human body, like that of most animals, develops from a single cell produced by the union of a male and a female gamete (or sex cell). The fetus continues to gain weight and grow in length until approximately 40 weeks. Genetic issues such as inherited diseases and chromosomal anomalies have enormous influence on how a child develops. Other teratogens include radiation, viruses such as HIV and herpes, and rubella (German measles). Anemia, or the condition where your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells typically due to low iron... Calcium. Smoking tobacco is also considered a teratogen because nicotine travels through the placenta to the fetus. Recall that when the zygote attaches to the wall of the mother’s uterus, the placenta is formed. Other cells will become the lining of the stomach, the intestines, and the sexual reproductive organs. After the zygote divides for about 7–10 days and has 150 cells, it travels down the fallopian tubes and implants itself in the lining of the uterus. It takes about 40 weeks or nine months to create a new life, and your pregnancy is broken into three, 12-week tri… Additionally, a stressed mother is more likely to engage in behaviors that could negatively affect the fetus, such as smoking, drug use, and alcohol abuse. During this same time, the sex organs begin to differentiate. Regular prenatal care can help to minimize the possibility of serious complications and can guarantee the healthiest pregnancy possible. Prenatal development is also organized into three equal trimesters, which do not correspond with the three stages. All healthy babies are born with newborn reflexes: inborn automatic responses to particular forms of stimulation. Prenatal development is the process that occurs during the 40 weeks prior to the birth of a child, and is heavily influenced by genetics. Other factors that can put a person at risk for prenatal depression include unplanned pregnancy, difficulty becoming pregnant, history of abuse, and economic or family problems. Modification and adaptation, addition of TED talk. How do you think these reflexes promote survival in the first months of life? During each prenatal stage, genetic and environmental factors can affect development. Prenatal development is the process that occurs during the 40 weeks prior to the birth of a child. Recent discoveries reveal that babies are probably smarter than we think. This process of cell division is called mitosis. Alcohol use during pregnancy has been found to be the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in children in the United States (Maier & West, 2001). The fetus can distinguish between voices, and can remember songs and certain sounds after birth. Given regions of the brain also show sensitive periods during which they are most susceptible to the teratogenic effects of alcohol (Tran & Kelly, 2003). Several factors influence the amount of damage a teratogen can have, including dose or level of exposure, heredity, age of the teratogen, and any other negative influences (for example, several teratogens or a teratogen combined with poor health). Prenatal Development One of the greatest things in life is creating a child and watching it grow. Premature Birth: Important growth and development occur throughout pregnancy – all the way through the final months and weeks. The embryonic stage lasts from implantation (2 weeks) until the 8th week of pregnancy. Figure 3. The fetal period of prenatal develop marks more important changes in the brain. The last pair, known as the sex chromosomes, determine a person’s biological sex: females have two X chromosomes, while males have an X and a Y chromosome. Stages of development: During the fetal stage, the brain develops and the body adds size and weight, until the fetus reaches full-term development. Mutation is when a sudden change in a segment of the DNA occurs. Additionally, high doses of aspirin are known to lead to maternal and fetal bleeding, although low-dose aspirin is usually not harmful. Several other interesting newborn reflexes can be observed. From 9–12 weeks, the sex organs begin to differentiate. Massive information has been generated from ongoing research in the field of genetics. Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, almost all prescription medicines, and most over-the counter medications are also considered teratogens. Prenatal development starts at conception and ends with the birth of your baby. A teratogen is any environmental substance or agent—biological, chemical, or physical—that can have a detrimental effect on a developing fetus. Other teratogens that affect prenatal development include radiation, pollution, and infectious disease. There are three stages of prenatal development: germinal, embryonic, and fetal. The importance of prenatal care during pregnancy is huge. It is important that the mother takes good care of herself and receives prenatal care, which is medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus. When the organism is about nine weeks old, the embryo is called a fetus. Pregnancy is an exciting time. Excessive maternal drinking while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) with life-long consequences for the child, ranging in severity from minor to major. Around 36 weeks, the fetus is almost ready for birth. The growth that happens during the nine months of prenatal development is nothing short of astonishing, but this period is also a time of great vulnerability. Between 9 and 12 weeks, reflexes begin to appear and the arm and legs start to move (those first movements won’t be felt for a few weeks, however). We will discuss prenatal, infant, child, adolescent, and adult development. You may not be showing much on the outside yet, but on the inside, all of the major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming. Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic aci… After the zygote divides for about 7–10 days and has 150 cells, it travels down the fallopian tubes and implants itself in the lining of the uterus. The life of a child starts inside of the mother’s uterus. Cell differentiation is a process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell. Women in the United States are much less likely to be afflicted with rubella because most women received childhood immunizations or vaccinations that protect the body from disease. What are the ethical implications of charging pregnant women with child abuse? Babies born with a heroin addiction need heroin just like an adult addict. Newborns also have a strong sense of smell. Some of these key concepts are discussed (as well as others you learned about previously) in the following CrashCourse Psychology video: As discussed at the beginning of this module, developmental psychologists often divide our development into three areas: physical development, cognitive development, and psychosocial development. August 5, 2015. During this stage, rapid growth occurs and organ systems develop. Illegal drugs such as heroine, cocaine, and methamphetamine can cause a myriad of problems for the developing fetus: babies can be born addicted to certain drugs and are also more likely to be born prematurely, have low birth weight, and experience other physical defects. Smoking is also considered a teratogen because nicotine travels through the placenta to the fetus. August 5, 2015. It is unknown how much alcohol is necessary to cause damage, and so doctors typically recommend that alcohol should be completely avoided during pregnancy. Each three-month period of pregnancy is called a trimester. It is important that the mother takes good care of herself and receives prenatal care, which is medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus. Help keep you and your baby healthy. Any form of prenatal stress felt by the mother can have negative effects on various aspects of fetal development; when a mother is under stress, physiological changes occur in the body that could harm the developing fetus. Any form of prenatal stress felt by the mother can have negative effects on various aspects of fetal development, and can cause harm to both mother and child. Fortunately, the effects of many of these hazards can be greatly lessened or even avoided entirely. Newborn infants only weigh about 7.5 pounds but their physical, cognitive, and psychosocial skills grow and change as they move through developmental stages. [A] statement also warned patients that protection of unborn and newborn children from the harms of illegal drug abuse could involve the Charleston police, the Solicitor of the Ninth Judicial Court, and the Protective Services Division of the Department of Social Services (DSS). The proliferation of neurons soon reaches its peak, and we witness the production and growth of axons and dendrites and the establishment of synaptic connections. The classification of a drug (as A, B, C, D, or X) allows a mother to make determinations about using drugs during pregnancy: for example, class A drugs are deemed always safe, whereas class X drugs have proven to be damaging to the fetus. Prenatal development is the process that occurs during the 40 weeks prior to the birth of a child, and is heavily influenced by genetics. More than two-thirds of the week-old babies turned toward the gauze pad with their mother’s scent. Differences in gene expression—whether as a result of standard regulation processes or through mutation—are crucial to an individual’s physical and psychological development. The fetus continues to gain weight and grow in length until approximately 40 weeks. What were the flaws in the program and how would you correct them? This period of development begins during the ninth week and lasts until birth. Before birth, a fetus has of course had limited opportunity to be shaped by its environment, beyond factors such as the mother’s diet, substance use, and anxiety level. According to the National Institutes of Health ([NIH], 2013), routine prenatal care can reduce the risk of complications to the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Reflexes help the newborn survive until it is capable of more complex behaviors—these reflexes are crucial to survival. Spot problems with your baby (if there are any). placenta: structure connected to the uterus that provides nourishment and oxygen to the developing baby Sperm and ovum fuse at the point of conception. Prenatal development is the process that occurs during the 40 weeks prior to the birth of a child, and is heavily influenced by genetics. newborn reflexes: inborn automatic response to a particular form of stimulation that all healthy babies are born with The expression of genetic information in a given cell or organism is neither random nor fully pre-programmed. It might seem strange, but you're not actually pregnant the first week … Let’s take a look at some of these newborn reflexes. Most everything the mother ingests, including food, liquid, and even medication, travels through the placenta to the fetus; anything the mother is exposed to in the environment affects the fetus. The fetus moves with more coordination, indicating more neural connections within the brain. prenatal care: medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus Upon implantation, this multi-cellular organism is called an embryo. A zygote begins as a one-cell structure that is created when a sperm and egg merge. The placenta is a structure connected to the uterus that provides nourishment and oxygen from the woman’s body to the developing embryo through the umbilical cord. The germinal stage occurs from conception until 2 weeks (implantation), during which the zygote begins to rapidly divide. Although vision is their least developed sense, newborns already show a preference for faces. The sucking reflex is the automatic, unlearned, sucking motions that infants do with their mouths. For example, research with primate models of FASD has demonstrated that the time during which a developing fetus is exposed to alcohol can dramatically affect the appearance of facial characteristics associated with fetal alcohol syndrome. Obstetrics and Gynecology/Teratology and Associated Outcomes. Radiation increases the risk of childhood cancer, as well as emotional and behavioral disorders; because of this, it is recommended that pregnant women avoid x-rays unless absolutely necessary. 120–121). Along with the brain’s rapid development emerges the capa… DES-exposed fetuses have been shown to have higher rates of cancer and infertility as adults. 3. The prenatal development of a child has three different stages: the germinal stage, the embryonic stage, and the fetal stage. These developmental problems and delays persist into adulthood (Streissguth et al., 2004). Every person is made up of cells, each of which contains chromosomes. Five Important Prenatal Nutrients Folate. Based on studies conducted on animals, it also has been suggested that a mother’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy may predispose her child to like alcohol (Youngentob et al., 2007). Prenatal development is the process of rapid change and growth that occurs in the 40 weeks prior to the birth of a child. The policy was called the Interagency Policy on Management of Substance Abuse During Pregnancy, and had disastrous results. A healthy first trimester is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. The more a mother smokes or is exposed to second-hand smoke, the greater the risk; however, quitting (even after smoking during pregnancy) greatly reduces the risks of these problems. How It Works. (credit: United States Agency for International Development). Maternal infections such as viruses or parasites can also cause brain damage to the fetus, or even death. Some people have advocated mandatory screenings for women who are pregnant and have a history of drug abuse, and if the women continue using, to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate them (Figdor & Kaeser, 1998). During each trimester, the fetus grows and develops. Most everything the mother ingests, including food, liquid, and even medication, travels through the placenta to the fetus, hence the common phrase “eating for two.” Anything the mother is exposed to in the environment affects the fetus; if the mother is exposed to something harmful, the child can show life-long effects. Many of a newborn’s innate preferences facilitate interaction with caregivers and other humans. The first 22 pairs of chromosomes are known as autosomes and determine things such as eye and hair color. The outer cells will form the placenta and the inner layers will form the fetus. Vitamin B6. This policy was tried in Charleston, South Carolina, as recently as 20 years ago. Fingers and toes are fully developed, and fingerprints are visible. There are several known teratogens that expectant mothers are advised to avoid during pregnancy, including alcohol, prescription and/or illegal drugs, and tobacco.

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