Prenatal and Neonatal

1. Prenatal and Neonatal

2. Prenatal Development • Prenatal development lasts approximately 38 weeks from conception to birth. • Three periods of development: • Zygote • Embryo • Fetus

3. Zygote Period • The zygote is formed at conception and continues to develop for the first two weeks. • The zygote travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus and implants itself in the uterine wall. • After 2 weeks, the placenta begins to grow and is attaches to the zygote via the umbilical cord.

4. Embryo Period • The embryo period begins at the end of the second week and ends at the end of the eighth week. • First half of this period: • The ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm layers develop. • The heart begins to pump. • Second half of this period: • Facial features, arms, legs, fingers, and toes form. • Can respond to touch.

5. Fetus Period • The fetus period begins in the ninth week and continues through birth. • At the beginning of this period: • Organs, muscles, and the nervous system organize. • The lungs expand and contract. • The external genitals are distinguishable. • The fingernails, toenails, tooth buds, and eyelids develop.

6. Fetus Period (continued) • 18 Weeks - Fetal movements are felt by the mother. • 20 Weeks - The fetus can hear sounds and react to them. • 24 Weeks - All the brain neurons are developed. • 25 to 38 Weeks – The fetus has a chance for survival outside the womb. This is called the age of viability.

7. Prenatal Health Issues • Teratogens - environmental substances that cause damage during prenatal development • Medications • Drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol • Radiation and pollution • Infectious disease • Other health issues can include: • The mother’s nutrition and stress level • Rh blood incompatibility • The mother’s age and previous pregnancy experiences

8. Medications • Almost all medications that are taken by the mother can reach the embryo or fetus through the bloodstream. • Medications can cause: • Low birth weight • Lower intelligence later in life • Death • Mothers must consult doctors before taking any medications.

9. Illegal Drugs • Fetuses exposed to illegal drugs in the womb are at risk of: • Low birth weight • Numerous defects • Death • If the fetus manages to survive through birth, the baby is likely born with a drug addiction.

10. Cigarettes • Cigarette smoking while pregnant can cause: • Low birth weight • Cancer in childhood • Miscarriage • Death • Second-hand smoke can also put children at risk

11. Alcohol • Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a serious effect caused by the mother consuming alcohol during pregnancy. • Children with FAS may have: • Mental retardation • Poor attention • Hyperactivity, • Facial abnormalities • Slow growth

12. Radiation • Pregnant women should avoid exposure to radiation, including medical X-rays. • Exposure to radiation can cause: • Miscarriage • Poor physical growth • Brain damage • Cancer

13. Pollution • Some environmental pollution dangers include mercury, lead, and PCBs. • Exposure to pollutants can cause: • Brain damage • Mental retardation • Low birth weight

14. Infectious Disease • Infectious disease can be difficult for pregnant mothers to evade. • Common illnesses such as the cold and flu are essentially harmless to the fetus as long as the mother is well-rested and continues to get nutrients. • Serious infectious disease can cause: • Birth defects • Low birth weight • Miscarriages

15. Non-Teratogen Prenatal Health Issues • Pregnant women must be certain to get proper nutrition. The level of malnutrition of the mother is directly linked to brain weight in the child. • Pregnant women should also try to remain stress-free. Anxiety can have harmful effects on the fetus.

16. Non-Teratogen Prenatal Health Issues (continued) • Rh blood incompatibility between the mother and fetus can cause: • Mental retardation • Heart damage • Death • Blood tests and vaccines are given to prevent illness or injury resulting from Rh incompatibility.

17. Neonatal Development • The first four weeks of life are called the neonatal, or newborn, stage. • In this stage, special attention is given to: • Parent-child bonding • Reflexes • Temperament • States of arousal • Sensory capabilities

18. The Apgar Scale • The Apgar scale rates newborns in the following areas: • Appearance • Pulse • Grimace • Activity • Respiration • Apgar scores: • 7 to 10 – Healthiest • 4 and 6 – Need assistance with breathing or other vital signs • 0 and 3 – Need serious emergency medical attention

19. Bonding • Bonding is a parent’s deep affection and concern for the newborn. • Parents and children develop a special bond that allows the infant to grow and develop with confidence. • Some parents instantly bond, while other parents bond over the first few weeks.

20. Reflexes • Reflexes are expected, automatic responses to specific stimulants. • Newborn reflexes include: • Rooting reflex • Sucking reflex • Palmer reflex • Most of these reflexes should disappear as the baby grows and develops.

21. Sensory Capabilities • Touch – most important sense for newborns • Taste – prefer sweet over salty • Smell – respond to good and bad smells • Sound – special interest in the human voice • Vision – least developed sense in a newborn

22. Newborn States of Arousal • Newborns continually cycle through five states of arousal: • Regular sleep – deep sleep with little movement • Irregular sleep – light sleep with body movement • Drowsiness – waking up or falling asleep • Quiet alertness – awake and attentive • Waking activity and crying – uncoordinated movements and irregular breathing

23. Neonatal Health Issues • The transition from the womb into the world does not occur smoothly. • Neonatal health issues include: • Premature birth • Respiratory issues • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

24. Premature Birth • Premature birth is used to describe infants that are preterm or small-for-date. • Preterm babies are born 3 weeks or more before the 38-week due date. • Small-for-date babies weigh less than expected compared to their length of time in the womb. • With proper care and special attention, many premature babies go on to lead normal, healthy lives.

25. Respiratory Issues • In respiratory distress syndrome, a baby’s air sacs collapse, which makes breathing very strenuous • Respiratory distress syndrome can occur in premature or full-term babies. • Babies with respiratory distress syndrome are attached to respirators until they can breathe comfortably on their own.

26. SIDS • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs when an infant dies during sleep. • Death occurs with no trauma to the child and no indication from the child, such as crying, prior to death. • No cause, cure, or prevention has been found for SIDS.