Prenatal Development

Dennis Karpowitz Psychology 333 Child Psychology

Chris and Kim on Conception Island

Female Reproductive Organs

Conception
Every 28 days, an ovum, lasts 24 hours Millions of sperm, viable for up to 6 days Conception in the fallopian tube
Tubal pregnancy

Conceptions most likely: on day of ovulation or the two days preceding ovulation

Conception

The Period of the Zygote or the Germinal Stage

First Two weeks following conception From fallopian tubes to attachment to the uterine wall Blastocyst, 60-70 cells, 4th day
Embryonic disk (organism) Outer Ring (umbilical cord & placenta)

Implantation between days 7 & 9

Zygote Period Continued

Amnion Membrane, amniotic fluid Yolk sack produces blood cells Chorion Membrane Placenta - Food, oxygen, waste Umbilical cord 30% of zygotes do NOT survive

The Period of the Embryo

5.5 Weeks 9 Weeks

From 2nd week through 2nd month Very rapid prenatal development Embryonic disk folds into three layers
Ectoderm - Nervous system (fast develop.) & skin Mesoderm - skeleton, muscles, circulation Endoderm - Digestion, lungs, urinary tract

Embryonic Period Cont.

Many body parts develop the 2nd month
Fingers, toes, facial features, nervous system cells fire, teeth buds have formed

Embryos posture becomes upright The embryo can move The embryo responds to touch (mouth & feet)

11 Week Fetus

The Period of the Fetus

Growth and finishing Third month
Organs, muscles & nervous system organize and connect External genitals visible with ultrasound End of first trimester

Second Trimester
13-24 weeks - first movement felt Vernix covers fetus, prevents chapping Lanugo hold vernix to skin Trillions of brain neurons produced
Stimulated by sound and light

Third Trimester
Age of viability - 22 to 26 weeks Cerebral cortex enlarges
Responsive to external stimulation

Fat layer develops for temp. reg. Moves to the upside-down position Fetus moves less

Teratogens
Environmental influences or agents that can damage the developing organism

Influence of Teratogens
Larger doses, over time, more negative
Genetics can help or hinder teratogens Several negative factors increase impact Sensitive periods especially important Embryonic period most susceptible Physical and psychological effects

Drugs
Thalidomide sedative - 1960s

Aspirin - low birth weight, infant death Poor motor develop., lower IQ Heavy caffeine use - miscarriage Premature births, irritability

Illegal Drugs
Cocaine, heroin, methadone
Prematurity, low birth weight Physical defects, breathing problems, Drug addiction & death

Cocaine - lasting difficulties

Genital, urinary tract, kidney, heart deformities Brain seizures

Crack babies
Lowest birth weight Central nervous system damage Fathers on cocaine may pass it on
Multiple harmful effects of more than one drug

Tobacco use
Low birth weight and premature births Impaired breathing Miscarriage & infant death Placenta doesnt work correctly Greater concentration of carbon monoxide Passive smoking also injurious

Alcohol
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Large amounts of alcohol, whole pregnancy Mental retardation Slow physical growth Facial abnormalities

Alcohol interferes with cell duplication

Especially neural cells

Draws oxygen away from organism

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Hormones
Diethylstilbestrol (DES), 1945-70
Vaginal cancer Malformation of the uterus Miscarriage, low birth weight In males, genital abnormalities, cancer

Radiation
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Miscarriage, slow physical growth Underdeveloped brains Malformation of skeleton & eyes

X-Rays - avoid during pregnancy

Environmental Pollutants
100,000 in common use Mercury
Mental retardation, speech problems Difficulty chewing & swallowing Uncoordinated movements

Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)

Lower birth weight, smaller heads Poor memory, lower verbal IQ

Maternal Disease
Viruses - Most not harmful Rubella
Heart defects, cataracts, deafness Genital, urinary & intestinal problems

HIV & AIDS

20-30% Mothers pass to infants Fast growth in infants Most survive 5 to 8 months

Maternal Disease Cont.

Herpes viruses
Babies infected during pregnancy or at birth

Bacterial & Parasitic Diseases

Toxoplasmosis from meat or cats 40% transmission Eye & brain damage

Positive Health Activities

Moderate, low impact exercise Healthy diet - vitamin supplements
Malnutrition causes problems WIC Program

Low stress
Intense anxiety >> miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory illness, Cleft palate & Pyloric stenosis

Rh Factor
Mother Rh -, father Rh+, Child Rh+ Antibodies against foreign Rh protein RhoGam within 72 hours

Prenatal Health Care

Every month of pregnancy visit MD 2X/Month for the last two months

Watch For . . .
Diabetes complications Toxemia

Get vaccinations before becoming pregnant

Prenatal Courses
Information: Birth & Parenting Exercises Support