PSYC 4220 1st Edition Lecture 7 Outline of Last Lecture I Maternal Characteristics A Age B Diet Outline of Current Lecture I Maternal Characteristics Part 2 A Diet B Teratogens II Birth and Newborn A Perinatal Environment B Cesarean Section Current Lecture Maternal Characteristics and their effects Diet Recommend gaining 25 35 pounds Effects of malnutrition depend on timing can include miscarriage low birth weight decreased brain development Recommend taking prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins to get for brain development and to avoid Spina Bifida and downs syndrome But also important not to take too much of any vitamin Magnesium and zinc are important too Emotional Condition High stress release of hormones which cross placental barrier Fetus may also sense changes in heart rate breathing tone of voice Occasional temporary stress no lasting consequences Long term severe stress may birth wright premature birth i e death of a family member needing to care for a family member with a terminal illness etc Research that severe stress causes babies to be born with lower birth weight cleft pallets heart problems irregular sleep schedules more irritable and active Long term effects increased risk of symptoms of ADHD anxiety Results are correlational Ability to cope with stress may be more important than amount Increased risks if Unhappy bout marriage or pregnancy No social support Teratogens Any disease drug or environmental agent that can harm the prenatal organism Effects of teratogen on body part or organ system are worst during sensitive periods Sensitive periods times when an organism is highly sensitive to environmental influences Alcohol is a known teratogen that can cause physical defects and brain development defects Not all embryos and fetuses are equally affected by the same teratogen as others Some babies may have no symptoms if there mom s drink a glass of wine at the end and some will develop problems Same defect can be caused by different teratogens variety of defects can be caused by same teratogen i e lithium can cause heart problems in the first trimester just as heart defects can be caused by smoking in the first trimester Father s exposure may also cause problems Long term effects of teratogens often depend on quality of postnatal environment Despite risks majority born without abnormalities Many of others have treatable conditions Birth and the Newborn Chapter 4 Perinatal environment Social and medical environment surrounding birth 3 stages of birth process 1st stage regular contractions begin until cervix is dilated Before 1st birth cervix is plugged with mucus and must go from being totally closed to being dilated 10 cm before head can come out Contractions of uterus occur regularly Cervix thins opens until dilated to 10 cm Contractions at beginning are mild and short As stage continues contractions get very close together and super intense Average 8 to 24 hours longer first time Depends on the woman During contractions babies head is pushing against the cervix causing it to move down and widen the cervix 2nd stage delivery of baby With each contraction overwhelming urge to push baby out Mother pushed fetus is delivered Average hour to 1 5 hrs 3rd stage delivery of placenta Fastest stage lasts only minutes Cesarean Sections Incision made through abdominal wall and into uterus Infant and placenta removed through opening Used for many reasons Examples fetal distress slow labor progression multiple births breech births certain STIs