CHAPTER 2: PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEWBORN PERIODPRENATAL DEVELOPMENT- Nature vs nurture- every aspect of development before birth results fromthe continual interplay of biological and environmental factors- Active child- activity of the fetus contributes in numerous vital ways to itsdevelopment - Sociocultural context- substantial cultural variation in how people think about the beginning of life and how they handle the birth process- Individual differences- gender and survival rates from conception on- Continuity/discontinuity- behavior of newborns shows clear relations totheir behavior and experience inside the womb- Preformation- whole human is in the sperm and then it just started growing quantatitively in the womb- Epigenesis- emergence of new structures and functions during development- Conception:o Gametes- germ cells that contain half the genetic material found in other cellso Conception- union of egg and sperm through an act of sexual intercourse when the egg is released Failures:- Chance- many sperm get tangled with other sperm or fallopian tube does not harbor an egg- Sperm themselves- genetic or other defects that prevent them from reaching the eggo Zygote- fertilized egg with a full complement of human genetic material half from each parent- Developmental Processo Hormones are vital because they determine the sex organs of the childo Four developmental processes of a zygoteembryofetus1. Cell division- zygote divides into two parts2. Cell Migration- newly formed cells migrate somewhere else3. Cell differentiation- when key genes are switched on or expressed and located4. Death- (apoptosis) aids in formation of body parts- Early Developmento Germinal- conception 2 weeks and lasts until the zygote is implanted in the uterus (where twins are formed) Identical twins- result from a splitting in half of the inner cell mass and same genetic makeup Fraternal twins- when two eggs happen to be released from the ovary and are both fertilized in fallopian tubeo Embryonic- 3-8 weeks and most sensitive because significant structural development takes place Inner cell mass- stage in which identical twins most often occuro Fetal- 8.5weeks-birth when reflexes develop and learning behaviors happen at 28 weeks it should be developed to live outside the wombo Neural tube- a groove formed in the top layer of differentiated cells in the embryo that eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord o Support System: Amniotic sac- a membrane filled with a clear watery fluid in which the fetus floats Placenta- permits the exchange of materials carried in the bloodstreams of the fetus and the mother- Umbilical cord- contains blood vessels running from the placenta to the embryo and backo Cephalocaudal development- pattern of growth where areas near the head develop earlier than those farther from the head- Fetal Behavior:- Movemento Those more active in the womb tend to be more active post birth (continuity)o Swallowing- particularly important for survival outside of the wombo Breathing- fetal breathing taking in amniotic fluid and expelling it- Behavioral cycleso Rest-activity cycles- REM and movement and low activity phases- Fetal Experienceo Sight and touch- not really a visual experience but they do experience tactile stimulation from moving around and coming into contact with parts of the bodyo Taste- sweet tooth o Smell- take on scents from amniotic fluid that is affected by what the mother takes ino Hearing- external sounds are audible to the fetus especially the mothers voice- Fetal Learningo Habituation- decrease in response to repeated or continued stimulation. When a new stimulus occurs the response recovers Natural preference for familiarity (smell, memory, sight)- Hazards to Prenatal Developmento 45%+ of new pregnancies result in miscarriage prior to the 3rd weeko Environmental Influences: Teratogens- can cause prenatal damage ranging from mild and correctable to death (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, pollutants, occupational hazards)- Dose-response relation- the greater exposure the more likely the fetus will suffer and the more extensive the damage is- Effects can vary because:o Cumulative effecto Individual differences in susceptibilityo Sleeper effects (agent is not present for a while) Sensitive period- when a developing organism is most sensitive to the effects of external factors and maximally sensitive to teratogenso Maternal Factors Age:- Those significantly younger have an increased chance of their child dying before their first birthday- Those older have more risk for negative outcomes, abnormalities, and complications Nutrition:- Smaller infants and smaller brains for infants that gomal nourished or without proper diets from the mother Disease- Certain lack of immunities such as rubella cause complications- STDs as well Emotion- Maternal emotions can affect the fetus behaviorally THE BIRTH EXPERIENCE- Diversity of Childbirth Practiceso All cultures: Survival and health of both the mother and baby Social integration of the new babyo Differences: Hospital setting vs. home setting Amount of family members present Midwives and doulasTHE NEWBORN INFANT- State of Arousal:o State- level of arousal and engagement in the environment ranging from deep sleep to intense activity Mediator of infant’s experience of the world around themo Sleep REM- an active sleep state with quick jerky eye movements under closed lids associated with dreaming in adults Non REM- quiet or deep sleep with the absence of motor activity or eye movements and regular slow brain waves, breathing and heart rate Autostimulation Theory- the idea that brain activity during REM sleep in the fetus and newborn facilitates the early development of the visual systemo Crying Colic- excessive inconsolable crying for no reason Swaddling- soothing technique that involves wrapping a baby in clothes or a blanket- Negative Outcomes at Birtho Infant mortality- death during the first year after birtho LBW- low birthweight or weigh substantially less than normal for their gestational stage More likely to have incidence of developmental problems or difficulties o Premature- baby born pretermo Multiple Risk Model: Infants with a number of risk factors have a heightened likelihood of continued developmental
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