Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Prenatal Development and Birth Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Chapter 4- Prenatal Development • Time of fastest development in life span • Environment extremely important • Conception – Ova travels from ovary to uterus – Penetration by 1 of 300-500 sperm – Outcome: single-celled ZYGOTE Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Prenatal Stages • Germinal period: days 1-14 – Implantation: 1/2 are successful • • – Miscarriage: 15% (recognized) to 50% Embryonic period: 3rd to 8th week – Organogenesis, Sexual differentiation Fetal period: 9th week – birth – Proliferation, migration – Differentiation of stem cells – Ends in tremendous brain development Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Prenatal Environment • Reciprocal influence – Person and environment – Good and bad influences important • Teratogen: environmental agent – Harms the developing fetus – Critical Period: Organogenesis – Dosage & duration – Genetic make-up: susceptibility Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Figure 4.3 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Teratogens-Drugs • Thalidomide (for morning sickness) – All or parts of limbs missing • Tobacco: miscarriage, low birth weight, SIDS, slows fetal growth • Alcohol: FAS – Small, facial deformities, retardation • Cocaine: Processing difficulties Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Figure 4.6 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Teratogens - Diseases • Rubella (German Measles) – Blind, deaf, heart, brain • Syphilis:miscarriage, blind, deaf, heart, brain – After 18th week • AIDS mothers transmit to babies (15%-35%) – Prenatally, perinatally, postnatally Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Teratogens – Environmental Hazards • Radiation: MR, leukemia, cancer, mutations, spontaneous abortions, etc. – Avoid X-rays when pregnant • Pollutants – In air and water – Lead - MR (also postnatally) Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 The Mother’s State • Age: typically age16 – 35 • • – 15 or younger don’t seek prenatal care • Birth complications, low birth weight – Over 35: miscarriage, Down Syndrome (father’s age also) Emotion: stress – can stunt fetal growth – Positive outlook most helpful Nutrition: 25-35 lb weight gain – Malnutrition: smaller neurons, brain, child Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Figure 4.8 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 The Perinatal Environment • Birth Process: 3 step process • Possible Hazards – Anoxia – Oxygen shortage: can be severe – Complicated delivery • Cesarean (“C”) section • Medications: can reach baby Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 The Mother’s Experience • Severe pain, anxiety – 77% rate it as positive experience • Psychological factors – Attitude, knowledge, support • Cultural factors Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Postnatal Depression • Baby Blues, mild, common • Clinical depression: 1/10 – Previous depression common • Children of depressed mothers – Insecurely attached, less responsive – Negative to other children Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 The Neonatal Environment • Culture, early socialization, health status • – E.g., low birth-weight babies (8% in US) • Less than 5 1/2 lbs • Strongly linked to low SES • Environment: neonatal intensive care • Risk: blindness, deafness, CP, autism, cognitive, and later academic problems Parenting must be attentive, responsive Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 4 Risk and Resilience • Not all high-risk infants have problems • Werner: Kauai Longitudinal study (40 yrs) • Findings: – Effects decrease over time – Outcomes depend on postnatal environment – Protective factors • Personal factors • Supportive postnatal environment