Child Psychology Chapter 3

Prenatal Development

Development between the moment of conception and beginning of birth process

3 Periods of Prenatal Development (40 weeks/266 days)

1. Zygote (weeks 1-2)

2. Embryo (weeks 3-8)

3. Fetus (weeks 9-birth)

Zygote Period: Why is it important? How many fail this stage?

Important beause of implantation and forming of the placenta ; 3 of 4 zygots fail phase #1

Embryo Period: Why is it important? What is it vulnerable to?

Important because organs are developing; especially vulnerable to teratogens

Fetus: Why is it important?

Important because it is a time of tremendous growth and refinement of the organs

What are potential problems in prenatal development?

1. Teratogen

2. Maternal Disease

3. Drugs

4. Environmental Hazards

What is a teratogen? How do they affect prenatal development?

Any agent that can cause developmental harm in pregnancy.

Dose: Increased dose = increased harm

Genetic Susceptibility: Depends on genotype of mom

Time of Exposure: More damage earlier on; embryonic period is more vulnerable

How does Maternal Disease affect prenatal development?

Can cross the placenta barrier or be passed at birth

How do Drugs affect prenatal development?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Physical malformations, irritability, hyperactivity, intellectual disability

Nicotine: Low birth weight, respiratory problems, link to SIDS

Illegal Drugs: Often cause miscarriage, premature birth, or babies who die shortly after birth

What environmental factors are a risk to prenatal development?

Chemicals and radiation

What are other parental factors affecting development?

1. Maternal Diet/Nutrition

2. Emotional Well Being: Prolonged emotional stress is associated with stunted prenatal growth, premature delivery, birth complicaitons

3. Maternal Age: Safest childbearing years are 20-35

What are the stages of birth and what’s important about them?

1st: Longest stage ; contractions ; lasts 12-14 hours for a first baby while cervix dilates

2nd: Pushing ; baby moves through the birth canal and comes out

3rd: Afterbirth: placenta and other membranes expelled ; lasts only minutes

What is the Age of Viability and when it is?

It is 22-28 weeks and it is when a baby CAN survive outside a mother’s womb

What is the weight and size of an average newborn?

7.5 pounds and 20 inches

What is the APGAR Scale? When do they measure it? What does it measure? What do the scores indicate?

It’s a way to access the health of the baby 1-5 minutes after birth.

It measures heart rate, respirations, muscle tone, skin color, and reflexes.

A good score is 7-10, 4-6 means the baby needs help ; 0-3 is an emergency / life threatening situation

What is important about medications doing birth?

95% of women in the U.S. use medications. Medication can mean women are not able to feel contractions and push effectively. Also, babies receive some medicine and can be lethargic at birth.

Prepared or Natural Childbirth

Lamaze (person who recommended it) - breathing techniques are used to control pushing in the final stages of labor ; no meds

What is bonding?

Forming a close connection between parents/child shortly after birth

What is Postpartum Depression?

Major depressive episode about 4 weeks after delivery ; 10% of mothers

What is anoxia?

Shortage of oxygen - can be because of breech position

When is a premature birth?

A birth before 37 weeks

What is considered a low birth weight? What are factors that increase the likelihood of this?

A baby that weighs less than 5.5 lbs at birth.

It can be because of alcohol, drug use, multiple births

How can low birth weight be counteracted?

Educated parents can foster cognitive growth and improve the intellectual deficits of the baby if they raise the baby in a positive environment