Psychology 262 Natalie B. Phelps M.S. Ed. NCC Chapter 3 Prenatal Development

1. Psychology 262 Natalie B. Phelps M.S.Ed. NCCChapter 3Prenatal Development

2. Prenatal Development • 1. Describe what it means to say that the “most rapid and dramatic human developments are 'out of sight' or occur before birth.” • 2. Explain why a newly fertilized egg cell must survive for more than a week without nourishment from the mother. • 3. Discuss how early the heart starts beating. How large is the embryo when the heart starts beating? • 4. Discuss what you know about the proportion of conception of females versus males. • 5. Explain what kind of movements and fetal actions may occur during the fetal stage of development.

3. Prenatal DevelopmentContinued… • 6. Why do some parents play classical music and point the speakers toward their abdomens during pregnancy? • 7. Is it true that embryos and fetuses take what they need from their mothers? Why or why not? Do pregnant women need to be concerned about their diets? Why or why not? • 8. What disease-causing germs can cross the placental barrier and infect the embryo and fetus? • 9. Is it safe for a pregnant woman to have a couple of glasses of wine in the evening? Why or why not? Is it safe for a pregnant woman to smoke? Why or why not? • 10. What is the ideal age for carrying and bearing a child?

4. Without Food • A newly fertilized egg cell must survive for more than a week without nourishment from the mother. Until the fetuse reaches the uterus and attach to the uterine wall.

5. Prenatal Development Is Divided Into Three Stages • The earliest stage, called the germinal stage. • The second stage of prenatal development is called the embryonic stage. • The third stage of prenatal development is referred to as the fetal stage.

6. The Germinal Stage (p. 79) • The earliest stage, called the germinal stage, (lasts two weeks after conception.) • The fertilized egg cell travels to the uterus and attaches to the uterine wall. • The key features of this stage are a rapid dividing of cells, the beginning of cell differentiation, and the development of the umbilical cord and the placenta. • The umbilical cord(Food and Waste) will serve as a pathway for nutrients to be passed from the mother to the developing child and for wastes to be transferred from the developing child to the mother for disposal. • The placenta(harmful chemicals and viruses)serves as a filtration system that will keep many (but not all) harmful chemicals and viruses from being transferred from the mother to the child.

7. The Embryonic Stage (p.81-83) • The second stage of prenatal development is called the embryonic stage, which lasts from the implantation of the zygote to the uterine wall until theeighth week of development. • Key features of this stage of development include: • (1) development of the nervous system • (2) development of key organs such as the pancreas and liver • (3) development of the circulatory systems • (4) sexual differentiation

8. The Fetal Stage • The third stage of prenatal development is referred to as the fetal stage. This period lasts from about the eighth week after conception until birth. • During this stage, the developing child will begin moving and responding to external stimulation. • In addition, this period is marked by rapid and substantial growth of the developing child. • DeCasper & Fife (1980) have shown that the fetus responds to external stimulation, can hear, and that newborns show preferences for things they have heard while in the uterus. • This amazing discovery suggests that children can, at some level, remember what they heard while in utero.

9. Three Trimesters • p. 88-89 • First Trimester • Period of the Ovum (Germinal Stage) • First 2 weeks • Embryonic Stage • Weeks 3 to 8 • Fetal Stage • Weeks 9 to birth • Second Trimester • Weeks 13 to 16 • Weeks 17 to 20 • Weeks 21 to 24 • Third Trimester • Weeks 25 to 28 • Weeks 29 to 36-38

10. Environmental Influences • During all stages of prenatal development, the developing child is vulnerable to the effects of external agents, called teratogens, such as drugs, alcohol, or environmental pollutants. • The effect these agents may have on the developing child depends on: • (1) the extent of the exposure • (2) the type of agent • (3) the time period in which the developing child is exposed to the agent • The best advice, of course, is to avoid as many of these agents as possible for the duration of the pregnancy

11. Critical Periods • p. 93 • Teratogens • Environmental influences or agents that can damage the embryo or fetus (from the Greek teras, meaning “monster”). • Knowledge of the sequences of prenatal development allows one to understand why specific teratogens are most harmful during certain periods of prenatal development.

12. Other “Environmental” Influences • Nutrition • Research shows that malnutrition in the mother can have serious and, sometimes, potentially long-term effects on the child. • Obese mothers have a higher risk of stillbirth. • Overly slender mothers run the risk of having a premature baby. • Teratogens do not just include environmental influences or items that the mother ingests. • They can also be produced by the mother's own body. • Rh incompatibility, for example, is an illness that results when the mother produces Rh-positive antibodies (because she is Rh-negative) and is carrying an Rh-positive fetus. • The resulting incompatibility can cause anemia, mental deficiencies or even death to the fetus.

13. Other “Environmental” InfluencesContinued… • Another example is HIV. • It is not known how HIV crosses the placenta and, in many cases, why it does not, but the disease can create significant problems for the unborn child. The placenta filters many impurities including those that might otherwise be transferred from the mother.

14. Agents & Risks • p. 102-103 • Prescription Drugs • Other Drugs • Vitamins • Pathogens (disease-causing agents) • Environment Hazards • Bio-chemical Incompatibility with Mother

15. Too much or too little of things can be dangerous to the developing child • To Much Vitamins Are Not Good Either • Vitamins are a good thing and are especially important if the mother's nutrition is otherwise poor. At the same time, excessive intake of vitamins (such as A and D), have been associated with central nervous system damage. • Marijuana and cocaine have also been shown to have negative effects on children. • Marijuana use during pregnancy, for example, is associated with attention deficits (ADD) in children. • Cocaine use during pregnancy is related to hyperactivity and attention (ADHD) problems as well.

16. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) • This syndrome is characterized by distinct facial features (such as widely spaced eyes, a flattened nose, and underdeveloped jaw). • It is uncertain how much alcohol will lead to this disorder so, again, the best advice for anyone who is pregnant or might become pregnant is to avoid alcohol consumption. • In addition, FAS is associated with a variety of cognitive impairments as well as with problems in coordination and in the cardiovascular system. • Research shows that alcohol and drug consumption on the part of the father can also affect the conceived child. • Part of this effect may be due to the fact that ingestion of some chemicals can cause deformities in the sperm of the father. Additionally, this appears to be true for men who smoke.

17. Is it safe for a pregnant woman to smoke? • No. There is a more direct (research wise) relationship between smoking and the development of the child. • Smoking, of course, affects the mother's lungs. At the same time, that oxygen deprivation will impact the developing child. • Babies born to mothers who smoke tend to be smaller, more often are stillborn, and, as children, more likely to have behavioral and cognitive problems.

18. What is the ideal age for carrying and bearing a child? • From a biological standpoint, the 20's may be the ideal age for bearing children. • Women who are younger have a higher incidence of infant mortality and low birth weight while older mothers (over age 30) have a greater risk of having a child with Down's Syndrome.

19. Stress • Stress on the mother can effects the fetus.

20. Exercise 1 • p. 32 (SG-C&A book) • You are running a clinic for expectant mothers in a very poor neighborhood. One of the mothers has asked for your advice on what she can do to increase her chances of having a healthy baby. She cannot afford to eat a very good diet. Given this information, and based on what you have learned in this chapter, what advice would you give her? Be sure and include information from the chapter to support your advice.

21. Pamphlet for Expectant MothersTwo groups • (OW-C&A book) p. 5 • First-time expectant mothers are often bombarded with information about what they should do or not do during their pregnancy. In this project you are going to compile a short and concise pamphlet for expectant mothers. In this pamphlet you are to include information regarding prenatal care including nutrition and exercise. You are also to address the issue of common teratogens and the prevention of birth defects. This should only be a two-page pamphlet so you must decide on what would be the most critical information for expectant mothers to have. Include at least five points regarding nutrition and three points regarding exercise. Also include general information regarding teratogens, eight common teratogens and advice regarding how to avoid exposure. Attach your pamphlet below. Be creative!

22. The End!