Prenatal Environment Affecting Fuetus's Future Development

Whilst the mother is pregnant if the baby is exposed to toxic chemicals, foods of a certain kind, or also stress from the mother then this can permanently change the cognitive development. Infancy is one of the main times when the child begins to develop their intellectuality so this means that if any of the above have been exposed to much to the baby, when they are going through infancy they may struggle with their cognitive development. Those mothers that smoke, eat unhealthy foods or go through stress or trauma whilst they are pregnant usually notice a risk of delayed cognitive development when the child is an infant. On the other hand if the mother doesn’t smoke, eats healthy and remains stress and trauma free whilst going through the pregnancy, the infants cognitive development is usually normal.

Early childhood is the most important phase of development in one’s lifespan as the experiences during childhood sets the course for later stages of development. It has been noted that a mother’s actions during pregnancy may influence the development of an infant. The developmental influences include prenatal, perinatal and neonatal environments. (Santrock, 2002) Although babies come into the world with no say or control over which family they will be placed into, or the environment in which they will begin to live in, theorists agree that the first two years are crucial, with early emotional, physical and social development influenced by the infant’s biological and environmental factors (Sigelman, Rider, & De-George Walker, 2013). The

According to the author Smidt (2013), childhood is a social construct which means that the ideas of childhood life consists of what is determined by the adults. She also stated that children lives are represented through culture and group change. However, the changes can occur over a period of time, place and circumstances of the child. As I read chapter one, I was impressed about the author views concerning early child development. The characteristics of development recognized by Smidt (2013), was how prenatal development of the fetus can change over time before birth. The child’s mother can contribute to the changes, through the economic and culture factors. Therefore, this can also influence the environment during the prenatal stages.

An evolutionary psychologist, like Kevin LaLand (2011) may discuss the importance of prenatal learning by discussing that “modern humans are not just primitive savages struggling to make psychological sense of an alien contemporary world.” The baby is genuinely trying to learn about the world it is going to enter. The baby relies on the clues the mother gives it through her diet and the environment in which she lives. Paul stated (2011), Hinting to the baby, by malnourishing it, that we live in a world of deprivation when we actually live in a world of plenty could have harsh adverse health effects.

Other health factors maybe that the child was born premature, as they are more likely to develop slower than a healthy born child. There may be an effect on their physical development, as they are a smaller and behind on developing. This may also have an in pact on their intellectual development, as it has been shown that premature babies struggle with maths. Burdo-Hartman says.

A child develops through its whole life. They can develop; physically, linguistically, intellectually, socially and behaviourally. “Physical development is the way in which the body increases in skill and becomes more complex in its performance” [Meggitt, 2000, Page 2]. Twenty five days after conception; the body of the chid has developed immensely from the small fertilised egg. Up to birth the foetus mainly develops physically however once the child is born the child then begins the long process of development. Not only do the gross motor skills and the fine motor skills develop on the baby, but the sensory development also widens on the child.

There are many factors that can influence the development of infants and toddlers. Two of the largest are biological and environmental influences. Biological influences can include gender, prenatal care, and the mother’s prior states of health. Environmental influences are widely ranged and can include, but are not limited to, income, housing, teratogens, and stimuli. While these two influences are different, they sometimes interlock, creating a cycle within each other.

Babies born earlier, such as 25 weeks will need medical support in order to survive and are usually placed in incubator – designed to keep baby worm and free from infection. Premature babies are at a higher risk of developing, sight problems or learning difficulties.

Development of children begins at conception however the parent’s health and lifestyle prior to conception could influence a baby development.

For example, a baby born with a sensory impairment (let’s say deafness) will not develop at the same speed or reach the same milestones as a healthy baby. His speech will be affected as he cannot hear and repeat the sounds being taught to him. Socially he might not have as many friends as peers as he might not be able to communicate in a way that is known to them and his behaviour could also be erratic as he might not be able to hear and follow instructions given to him. There could also be external factors a child and young person cannot change: for example a baby could be born with a severe drug addiction after his mother abused substances

Once a child is born and their development continues, then starts the controversy and wonder as to whether how the child is raised effects their outcome in adult hood, or whether they are just born to be a certain way. Child psychology looks into the many different factors that affect the pregnancy and raising a child. Such as, parenting styles, and how the environment (nurture) and the genetics (nature) play an important role in the child’s development.

The definition of early life as a social determinant of health given by Rumbold and Dickson-Swift is “A good start in life means supporting mothers and young children.” (Rumbold & Dickson-Swift, 2012, p. 180). Early life describes the period from prenatal development to eight years of age, and is a time of remarkable brain growth and development, this period establishes the foundations for subsequent development and learning (Siddiqi, Irwin, & Hertzman, 2007).

The unwanted children born weighed less at birth and needed more medical care even though the mothers were judged to be in good health. Fewer of the children were breast fed, they had more difficulties in school, and they were referred for psychiatric help more often as teenagers. Also that by the time they had reached adulthood, many were more likely to have antisocial behavior problems. So here we can see from this research that stress also plays a vital role of a healthy developing baby.

monitor fetal heartbeat. In the first stage of labor , the neck of the uterus,

A young infant is influenced by several factors, and birth is one. Birth is the first