1. PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT AND BIRTH

2. Prenatal Environment Reciprocal influence
Person and environment
Good and bad influences important
Teratogen: Environmental agent
Harms the developing fetus
Critical Period: Organogenesis
Dosage and duration
Genetic make-up: Susceptibility

3. The critical periods of prenatal development
The critical periods of prenatal development. Teratogens are more likely to produce major structural abnormalities during the third through the eighth prenatal week. Note, however, that many organs and body parts remain sensitive to teratogenic agents throughout the nine-month prenatal period

4. Teratogens: Drugs Thalidomide (for morning sickness)
All or parts of limbs missing
Tobacco: Miscarriage, low birth weight, SIDS, slows fetal growth
Alcohol: FAS
Small, facial deformities, retardation
Cocaine: Processing difficulties

6. (A) Characteristic features of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

7. (B) Child with FAS, illustrating many features in the drawing
(B) Child with FAS, illustrating many features in the drawing. Such children may also have cardiovascular and limb defects.

8. Teratogens - Diseases Rubella (German Measles)
Blind, deaf, heart, brain
Syphilis: Miscarriage, blind, deaf, heart, brain
After 18th week
AIDS: Mothers transmit to babies (15%-35%)
Prenatally, perinatally, postnatally

11. Teratogens: Environmental Hazards
Radiation: MR, leukemia, cancer, mutations, spontaneous abortions, etc.
Avoid X-rays when pregnant
Pollutants
In air and water
Lead: MR (also postnatally)

12. The Mother’s State Age: Typically age 16-35
15 or younger don’t seek prenatal care
Birth complications, low birth weight
Over 35:Miscarriage, Down Syndrome (father’s age also)
Emotion: Stress can stunt fetal growth
Positive outlook most helpful
Nutrition: lb weight gain
Malnutrition: Smaller neurons, brain, child

13. The Father’s State Research limited except for genetic contribution
Father’s age can also be influential
Over 35: Increased number miscarriages, heart defects, Down Syndrome
Over 50: Higher risk for schizophrenia
Exposure to environmental toxins
Radiation, anesthetic gases, pesticides
Damage to genetic material in sperm

14. Postnatal Depression Baby Blues: mild, common
Clinical depression: 1/10
Previous depression common
Children of Depressed Mothers
Insecurely attached, less responsive
Negative to other children

15. The Father’s Experience
Accepted, expected in delivery rooms
Attend prenatal classes with wife
Experience described as a significant event
Anxiety, stress common during delivery
Relief, pride, joy when baby is born
Sometimes depression following birth
Disappointed if sex does not resume soon

16. The Neonatal Environment
Culture, early socialization, health status
E.g., low birth-weight babies (8% in US)
Less than 5½ lbs
Strongly linked to low SES
Environment: Neonatal intensive care
Risk: Blindness, deafness, CP, autism, cognitive, and later academic problems
Parenting must be attentive, responsive

17. Modern technology permits survival of younger and smaller babies, but many experts believe we have reached the lowest limits of viability at weeks gestation.

18. Learning Objectives What are the advantages of breast feeding?
Are there disadvantages of breast feeding?
How can at-risk newborns be identified?
What treatments are available to optimize development of at-risk babies?
To what extent are the effects of the prenatal and perinatal environments long lasting?
What factors influence whether effects are lasting?

19. Breast or Bottle? Breast feeding most natural nutrition
Practices vary across cultures
Health benefits great for breast-fed infants
At least first 6 months recommended
More likely to bottle feed: Factors
Younger, low SES, less education, employed, African American
US values toward breast feeding ambivalent
APA Goal 1: Major concepts, empirical findings
APA Goal 8: Recognize sociocultural and international diversity

21. Low Birth-Weight Babies
< 5½ pounds: “Small for date” or “preterm”
Leading cause of infant mortality
8% of all births, 65% of all infant deaths
Factors: Low SES, smoking, stress, multiples
Worse for minority, poverty, single-parent children
For most, significant catch-up growth
Low Birth-Weight Infants
Greater risk for blindness, deafness, CP, autism, health problems - especially respiratory problems

22. Factors Helpful for LBW Infants
Breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, massage
Responsive parenting, intellectual stimulation
Early intervention programs work with parents
Childcare education and support
Growth-enhancing home environment
Consistently attentive, responsive parenting

24. Risk and Resilience Personal resources
Not all high-risk infants have problems
Werner: Kauai Longitudinal study (40 yrs)
Findings:
Effects decrease over time
Outcomes depend on postnatal environment
Protective factors
Personal resources
Supportive postnatal environment