Prenatal Development and the Newborn

Topic: Prenatal Development and the Newborn
During the prenatal period, amazing sequences of events take place between conception and birth. Although fetal development occurs in a highly protected environment, many factors can affect prenatal development. For example, teratogens affect prenatal development differently according to the specific prenatal period during which the teratogen is ingested. The focus of this Discussion is on the effects some of these factors have on the prenatal period and on the birth process, including some issues associated with low-birth-weight babies. Once born, newborn infants have a remarkable set of capacities that are crucial for survival and for evoking adult attention and care (Berk, 2022) and these capacities will also be focused on in this Discussion.
Please respond to the following
Identify one specific teratogen and describe the effect that specific teratogen may have during prenatal development. Why is it difficult to determine the prenatal effects of many environmental agents, such as drugs and pollution?
Researchers often divide low-birth-weight babies into two groups: preterm and small-for-date. Describe the characteristics and some issues associated with preterm infants. Describe the characteristics and some issues associated with small-for-date infants.
Are newborns more competent than you thought they were before you read Chapter 4 in your textbook? Which of their capacities surprised you most?
Textbook: Infants, Children, and Adolescents
Laura E. Berk
READING AND RESOURCES
Chapter 3: “Prenatal Development,” except Sections 3.1 Motivations for Parenthood and 3.4 Importance of Prenatal Health Care
Chapter 3 focuses on prenatal development. The importance of prenatal healthcare is discussed. The periods of prenatal development are covered as are prenatal environmental influences, called teratogens.
Chapter 4: “Birth and the Newborn Baby,” except Sections 4.1 The Stages of Child Birth, 4.2 Approaches to Childbirth, 4.3 Medical Interventions, and 4.6 The Transition to Parenthood
Chapter 4 focuses on the birth process, including the stages of childbirth, approaches to childbirth, medical interventions and possible birth complications. The newborn baby’s capacities, including reflexes, states, and sensory capacities are also discussed.