Slide 1The germinal PeriodThe Embryonic PeriodEmbryo life support systemSex differentiationThe Fetal PeriodBrain developmentPrenatal Assessment and InterventionInfertility and Reproductive TechnologiesHazards to Prenatal DevelopmentMore Hazards to Prenatal DevelopmentMother’s AgeMother’s Emotional ConditionPaternal FactorsThe Birth ProcessMethods of childbirthApgar ScaleLow Birth Weight and Preterm InfantsPost-partumPrenatal DevelopmentThe germinal Period•Conception to two weeks•Egg and sperm results in zygote•mitosisThe Embryonic Period• Approximately 2 to 8 weeks•Cell differentiation, production & migration•Endoderm: digestive and respiratory system•Mesoderm: bones, muscles, circulatory•Ectoderm: skin, brain, nervous system, sensory receptors•Organs and major body systems develop rapidly•Organogensis: the beginning of organs•Risk of spontaneous abortion, or miscarriageincreasesEmbryo life support system•amnion: water sac•placenta: interchange point: both mom’s & baby’s tissue meet but don’t directly mix •umbilical cord:•Baby’s veins and arteries•Belly button •Stem cellsSex differentiation•6th to 8th week after conceptionThe Fetal Period•8 weeks to birth•Organs and body become more complex•‘Finishing Touches’ – toenails, eyelids•Appearance of bone•A baby knows its mother’s voice and languageBrain development•Neural tube -- 18-24 days•Anencephaly & spina bifida if neural tube doesn’t close•Neurogenesis -- 5 weeks, up to 200,000 neurons formed per minute•Neuronal migration and connectivity continuesPrenatal Assessment and Intervention•Ultrasound•Chorionic Villus Sampling: tissue from placenta is analyzed•Amniocentesis : tests amniotic fluid •Fetal MRI: more detailed than ultrasound•Maternal blood screening•Umbilical cord samplingInfertility and Reproductive Technologies•10-15% of couples in US deal with infertility (2 million couples)•Cause could be due to woman or man•Treatments•Surgery•Hormones•IVF (40,000 per year)Hazards to Prenatal Development•Teratogen is any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive and behavioral outcomes•Drugs•Incompatible blood types•Environmental pollutants•Infectious diseases•Maternal stress, advanced maternal and paternal age•Parts of the developing body are more sensitive to teratogens at different stagesMore Hazards to Prenatal Development•Maternal diet and nutrition•Overweight before and during pregnancy•Folic acid is important for normal prenatal development•Eating fish – mercury levels•Emotional states and stress•Anxiety•Depression •Paternal factors•SmokingMother’s Age•Safest time 16 to 35; younger or older more likely to have (the big 3 problems)•Birth complications•Premature deliver•Low birth-weight•Younger than 16: •teen’s body not mature•poor prenatal care•Older than 35: chromosomal abnormalities•Down SyndomeMother’s Emotional Condition•Stress  hormones•May cross the pacenta•short duration & minor stress: little evidence of damage•Chronic & severe stress:•Stunted prenatal growth•Child more likely to be difficult or hyperactive•Irregular feeding and sleeping•Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and language delayPaternal Factors•Abnormalities in sperm from•exposure to lead, radiation, certain pesticides, and petrochemicals•Effects on offspring•Miscarriage or diseases such as childhood cancer•Heavy smokers  second-hand smoke•Increased risk of early miscarriageThe Birth Process •In the United States, 99 percent of births take place in hospitals•The Birth Process •first stage -- contractions cause the woman’s cervix to stretch and open •second stage begins when the baby’s head starts to move through the cervix and ends when baby is fully delivered•third stage is afterbirth•placenta, umbilical cord, and other membranes are detached and expelledMethods of childbirth•Nearly all births in US occur in hospitals•In US fathers usually present•Midewifery•US – 8% birthed with midwife (most hospital certified nurse-midwives)•Doulas – provides physical and emotional support•Methods•Natural = no drugs•Medicated = epidural / anesthesia•Water birth/massage/acupuncture •Cesarean = 34% of births in USApgar ScaleGood, CryingIrregular, slowAbsentRespirationStrongWeakLimpActivityCoughing & CryingGrimaceNoneGrimaceRapidSlow (<100)AbsentPulseAll PinkBody Pink, Limbs BlueBlue & PaleAppearance210Signrange 0 to 10; healthy average 7*Neonate AbilitiesLow Birth Weight and Preterm Infants•Preterm – 3+ weeks before full term •Small-for-date -- birth weight is below normal for pregnancy length•Low birth weight: less than 5½ pounds at birth•Very low birth weight = under 3 pounds •Extremely low birth weight = under 2 pounds. •Poverty, maternal health status, maternal nutrition•Long term outcomes for kids: More likely to have a learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or breathing problems such as asthmaPost-partum•Post-partum emotions•70% - blues•10% - depression and dysfunction•Effects•Less sensitive care of infant•Infants become less responsive to mother•Treatment •Medication, therapy, & exercise•Fathers •Emotional adjustment•Supportiveness = less maternal