“A Healthy Pregnancy”

1. “A Healthy Pregnancy” By:LaPorsha Arrington October 12, 2012 3rd period Parental & Child Development

2. “What is Prenatal Development” • Prenatal development is the process by which a baby-to-be grows inside the mother. This process normally takes bout nine months for a full-term pregnancy, one that goes to completion. A full-term pregnancy typically lasts about 280 days.

3. “Miscarriage & Stillbirth” • Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of the pregnancy after less than 20 weeks of fetal development. Miscarriage is not uncommon. Miscarriage that occur very early in the pregnancy are usually due to a genetic abnormality. Miscarriages have no known cause, some risk factors have been identified. Stillbirth is the loss of pregnancy. This occurs in approximately one out of 200 pregnancies. The death can occur during labor or delivery, but more often it occurs before labor.

4. “Birth Defect” • Birth defect is an abnormality that is present at or before birth and results in mental or physical disability. Birth defects may be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors, or a combination, the cause is very unknown.

5. “Prenatal Testing” • Doctors look in on a developing fetus to find out whether all is well. Various types of prenatal tests may be used to find out whether the fetus has a birth defect or other health problem. A family history of a genetic defect is another possible reason for prenatal testing.

6. “Common Infection”(Chicken Pox) • Most people have chicken pox in childhood and cannot get it again. Having chicken pox during pregnancy, however, can lead to premature delivery, low birth weight, birth defects, or miscarriage. A pregnant woman who thinks she might have chicken pox should call her health care provider immediately.

7. “Emotional Change” • Pregnancy is an emotional time for many women. A pregnant woman may worry about the unborn baby’s health or be apprehensive about labor and delivery. During the final weeks of pregnancy, anxieties and fears may increase.