Children 's Mothers ' Womb By The Placenta

Having children can be one of life’s most exciting and fulfilling adventures! A healthy development of a baby is a goal that everyone strives for. In order for a healthy baby to develop, it must undergo the crucial stages of prenatal development. Once the stages are complete, a miracle of a new life will develop.

Teratogens refers to any environmental agent, such as dose, heredity, negative influences and age that can cause damage during the prenatal period (Berk, 2014). Serious defects can occur during the embryonic period where the “ground work is laid for all body structures and organs” (Berk, 2014, p. 63). During the fetal period teratogens can do minimal damage; however, organs such as brain, eyes, ears, teeth and genitals can still be affected (Berk, 2014).

Pregnancy is a very difficult time in a women’s life, everything that is digested, breathed, and felt affects the fetus. Teratogens are factors that cause developmental problems of an embryo. These factors include stress; toxin such as drug and cigarette use, the health and even the age of the mother can have an impact on the development of the fetus. Teratogen can cause birth defect that may lead to life long consequences to the child. I am very passionate about this topic due to the alarming increase of birth defects and abnormalities that have been occurring during my generation. In America one in every thirty-three babies are born with a defect

Therefore, planned pregnancy is a huge key factor in preventing birth defects, because often times birth defects develop even before women might know they are pregnant. Because women don’t know they are pregnant, they may consume alcohol, causing harm to their babies. Smoking causes harm to infants before, during, and after pregnancies. Even in the womb nicotine, carbon monoxide, and many other poisons women inhale from cigarettes are carried through their bloodstream. Smoking while pregnant causes many developmental issues including birth defects, lung problems, stunted growth, increase in babies heart rates, low birth weight, or result in stillbirths. However, there are many other agents known to cause these developmental defects. For example, drugs and other medications such as; thalidomide, isotretinoin, valproic acid, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil are also known to cause the same birth defects (Simeone, et al., 2015). Putting healthy supplements, unlike these types of drugs into individuals systems when pregnant can help prevent infant

There is a unique connection between mothers and their children due to the crucial time of prenatal development. During this time, biological factors such as hormones pass through the placental barrier from the mother and into the fetus’ bloodstream. Additionally, the fetus senses the mother’s presence through sensory activity. For instance, a fetus often detects his or her mother’s heart rate and voice by the sounds produced. Due to the direct connections, mothers are strongly advised not to consume teratogens such as alcohol, drugs, or other substance that may be detrimental to a fetus during pregnancy. However, there are factors not quite tangible that mothers should be wary of during pregnancy such as stress. The stress hormone, cortisol,

One of the most important determinant of fetal viability is the pulmonary system development and maturity. The prenatal awareness of any abnormalities or anomalies going to ensure better management of the pregnancy, also giving the opportunity for the medical team and parents to prepare for the delivery and postnatal treatment. Congenital malformations of the fetal thorax are common which can involve many organs. Early detection and accurate diagnosis of fetal pathology are possible by using ultrasound and MRI imaging.

As previously mentioned, environmental factors, such as exposure to taratogens, can affect the development of the unborn child. Broderick and Blewitt (2105) define a teratogen as “substances or agents that can cross the placental barrier and produce fetal deformities when taken or absorbed by the mother during pregnancy” (p.619). These substances include drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pollution, stress hormones, poor nutrition, and diseases, such as AIDS. Consumption of drugs and/or alcohol can lead to low birth weight, as well as, physical, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities. Furthermore, more recent studies are showing that exposure to pollutants can affect an individual’s development. For example, a study of the

Teratogens are harmful exposures that a fetus can be exposed to when they cross the protective

Pregnancy can be an intimidating, confusing and complex period in a woman’s life, as babies don’t come with instruction manuals. While the environment and lifestyle that an infant is raised in is solely up to the parent’s discretion, there are basic principles and expectations that every pregnant woman is held to. A fetus’s well-being and health depends exclusively on the lifestyle of his or her mother. Whatever mom inhales or ingests, the baby receives the same substance. With this biological partnership in place, a mother must be conscience about what she ingests—as many substances that are okay for adults are toxic to babies. In regard to consumption of the teratogen alcohol, a woman must consider the implications at risk relating to the

Alcohol is a type of teratogen, which is an agent that can caused birth defects to occur. The timing and the amount of exposure to a teratogen is crucial when it comes to a pregnancy. A mother’s use of alcohol can greatly affect an unborn child. The timing at which the effect of teratogens varies from person to person, but the time when the teratogens have the largest effect typically occurs during the periods of rapid prenatal development. Mothers who are pregnant, or who wish to become pregnant, should avoid consuming alcohol because the teratogens can affect the mother’s eggs. It is true that there are certain stages in the pregnancy where a certain amount of exposure to teratogens will only have little impact, but there is still some form of result. When

environmental toxins and substances) during this period can cause major defects in the structure of developing organs (i.e. brain cellular structure, lungs, heart, kidney, and etc.), and other important structures (i.e. bones and muscles). This may result in the death of the fetus or cause severe physical malformations (i.e. congenital abnormalities) or mental impairments (i.e. disorders) (Office of Children’s Health Protection, 2003). As the stages of prenatal development progress, exposure to environmental toxins and substances can result in the fetus developing an array of defects and deficiencies that can continue after birth and up through adulthood (i.e. physical, mental, and behavioral) (Office of Children’s Health Protection, 2003). It is clear that expecting mothers need to be conscious of what they expose their fetuses to in utero so they develop properly. It is imperative that expecting mothers avoid the use of any alcohol or other drug substances during their pregnancy. Each period of development for a fetus is critical and exposure to alcohol and substances can significantly reduce their chance of being born and living a healthy life (Office of Children’s Health Protection, 2003).

Imagine you are in labor, the moment you’ve been waiting for for nine months. An urgency rises to get the baby out, as it does with every childbirth. But this is a different type of urgency. Your baby will be born before its term has ended, meaning a preterm birth. He or she may be born with various complications, such as problems with hearing or sight (Centers for Disease Control). 1 in 9 babies are influenced by preterm birth (“Lung Proteins”, 2015), but scientists haven’t made this problem a priority until about two years ago, when two medical organizations came together to find a way to predict preterm birth (Vence, 2013). Since then, scientists and researchers are taking the needed steps toward the demolition of preterm childbirth.

When a woman finds out she is going to have a baby, it should be the most exciting times in her life. However, there may be many teratogens that interfere with the pregnancy and may cause future issues for the child. A teratogen “is any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive and behavioral outcomes” (Stantrock, page 63).

Every woman when pregnant has a 3-5% chance of having a baby born with a birth defect and these chances increase when the developing fetus/embryo is exposed to teratogens whether it’s intentional or unintentional (Bethesda (MD), 2006). Teratogens may cause severe birth defects, malformations, or terminate the pregnancy altogether (Jancárková, & Gregor, 2000). The placenta is known to be an effective barrier from any harmful pathogen that may potentially harm the fetus. The timing of exposure of any teratogen is critical to the impact of prenatal development (Bethesda (MD), 2006). The most vulnerable time of the fetus for serious damage is during early pregnancy when all the major organ and central nervous system (CNS) are

The article I found most interesting was, Prescribing in pregnancy: Effects on the fetus. This article focused on Teratogens, specifically medications, and how they can impact an unborn fetus. The article made it clear that completely avoiding medications during pregnancy is not always possible. When medications must be consumed, it is important for the consumer to understand the possible risks for the fetus.