Objectives: TSWBAT Describe the importance of prenatal care. Identify the risks associated with pregnancy. Health care you get while you are pregnant. Early/regular prenatal care Prenatal care includes: Physical exams/Ultra sound Nutrition Monitoring of weight and health Lab Tests Calculation of due date Obstetrician (OB/GYN) - A medical doctor who specializes in management of pregnancy, labor, and birth. Certified Nurse Midwife – Advanced practice registered nurse who has specialized education and training in nursing and midwifery. A pregnant woman must be very careful about what substances she takes into her body. Eat a well balanced diet (extra 300 calories) Prenatal vitamins Calcium Protein Iron Vitamin A Vitamin B complex Folic Acid Avoid substances that may be dangerous; Cigarettes Accounts for 30% of low birth weight babies; 14% of premature births & 10% of infant deaths Alcohol Drugs (including medications) Condition that results from alcohol exposure during pregnancy Problems that may be caused by FAS include physical deformities, mental retardation, learning disorders, vision difficulties and behavioral problems (varies from child to child). There is no amount of alcohol that’s known to be safe to consume during pregnancy. Stay active Get plenty of rest Minimize stress Avoid x-rays Spontaneous loss of a fetus 20th week of pregnancy Most before the miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems that make it impossible for the baby to develop Other causes – drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, exposure to toxins, infection, obesity, etc. A birth that is at least 3 weeks before a baby’s due date (less than 37 weeks) 1 out of every 9 babies are born premature each year in the US The earlier a baby is born, the more severe his or her health problems are likely to be and may face lifelong problems; intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, breathing and respiratory problems, visual problems, hearing loss, and feeding or digestive problems. Infancy – birth to 12 months Fastest growth Time of learning (eat, sit, crawl, walk) Early childhood – ages 1 – 3 Sense of autonomy – confidence that a person can control his or her own body Middle childhood – ages 4-6 Initiate play; recognize emotions Late childhood – ages 7-12 Puberty may begin; school is important ***Most crucial years in a child’s overall development are 0-3 years What decisions do parents face when raising children? Latch-Key Children & Dual Working Parents A latchkey child is a child who returns from school to an empty home because his or her parent or parents are away at work, or a child who is often left at home with little or no parental supervision.