1. Chapter 4 – Prenatal Development and Birth
The Developing Person Through the Life Span 8e by Kathleen Stassen Berger
Chapter 4 – Prenatal Development and Birth

2. Conception & Implantation
Woman
28 day cycle
Implantation or uterine lining discarded
Man
300 million sperm

3. Prenatal Growth Three main periods of prenatal development
Germinal Period (1st two weeks after conception): rapid cell division and beginning of cell differentiation
Embryonic Period (3rd through 8th week): basic forms of all body structures develop
Fetal Period (9th week until birth): fetus grows in size and matures in functioning

4. The Germinal Period
Zygote begins duplication and division within hours of conception
Development of the placenta
Organ that surrounds the developing embryo
Sustains life via the umbilical chord
Implantation (about 10 days after conception)
Developing organism burrows into the placenta that lines the uterus

5. The Germinal Period

6. The Embryonic Period Embryo 3rd through the 8th week after conception
Brain and spinal column form
Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth form
Heart begins to pulsate
Extremities develop and webbed fingers and toes separate

7. The Embryonic Period

8. The Fetal Period Fetus 9th week after conception until birth
Genitals form and sex hormones cause differences brain organization
Heartbeat detectable via stethoscope
Term: ultrasound

9. The Fetal Period
Age of viability
Age at which a preterm newborn may survive outside the womb with medical care
About 22 weeks after conception
Brain is able to regulate basic body functions
Chances of survival increase with each day after the 22-week mark

10. The Fetal Period

11. Birth
Fetal brain signals the release of hormones to trigger the mother’s uterine muscles
Labor begins
Average duration for first babies: 12 hours
Quicker labor for later babies

12. Three Stages of Birth Stage 1 Dilation and Effacement of the Cervix
12-14 hours (4-6 hours)
Contractions
Stage 2
Delivery of the Baby
50 minutes (20 minutes)
Urge to push and squeeze
Stage 3
Delivery of the Placenta
Final push/contractions
Placenta in 5-10 minutes

13. A Normal, Uncomplicated Birth

14. APGAR Scale
A ppearance
P ulse
G rimace
A ctivity
R espiration

15. APGAR Scale

16. Medical Assistance Cesarean Section (c-section) Surgical birth
Fetus can be removed quickly
Rates and reasons for c-sections vary
Lower rates in poorer countries
Higher rates in richer countries
1/3 of births in the United States
Less trauma for the newborn but slower recovery for the mother
Subsequent cesarean deliveries may be necessary

17. Newborn Survival
Infant mortality has decreased due to better medical care
1900: 5%
Today: <1 in 200
Childbirth has become safer for mothers
Death rate in poorest nations: 1 in 20 women
Excessive medical care also has disadvantages
Increase in unnecessary c-sections is associated with higher rate of low-birth weight babies

18. Harmful Substances Teratogens Behavioral teratogens
Substances and conditions that can impair prenatal development and result in birth defects or even death
Not all teratogens can be avoided
Structural abnormalities are obvious at birth
Behavioral teratogens
Affect the child’s developing brain
Developmental retardation, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities
Effects do not become evident for months or years

20. Low Birthweight Low birthweight (LBW) Very low birthweight (VLBW)
Less than 2,500 grams (5½ pounds) at birth
United States
Steady increase in LBW over the past 25 years
8% of newborns are seriously underweight
More susceptible to teratogens, higher birth risks, lower survival rate
Very low birthweight (VLBW)
Under 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 5 ounces) at birth
Extremely low birthweight (ELBW)
Under 1,000 grams (2 pounds, 3 ounces) at birth

21. Preterm or Slow Growing?
Birth that occurs at 35 or fewer weeks after conception
Usually associated with low birthweight
Appropriate weight due to length of pregnancy
Small for gestational age (SGA)
Birthweight is significantly lower than expected, given the time since conception
Suggests impairment throughout prenatal development
Usually have more serious problems
More likely to die in 1st year, catch infections, have brain damage
Middle childhood – lower intelligence test scores, less attentive, socially immature

22. Interventions for Pre-term Infants
Isolette
Respirator
Feeding tube
Intravenous medication
Special Infant Stimulation
Kangaroo care
Parent Training in Caregiving

23. Complications During Birth
Rh Factor Incompatibility
Mother’s blood is incompatible with fetus
Mother begins to produce antibodies to ‘fight’ the fetus’ blood
Anoxia
Lack of oxygen
Can cause brain damage
Breech Position
Butt or feet first

24. The Newborn Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS)
A test that measures responsiveness
Records 46 behaviors, including 20 reflexes
Provides a ‘portrait’ of the child
Assists in developing a plan to enhance caregiving

25. Moving and Perceiving The Newborn
The first movements are not skills but reflexes, involuntary responses to a particular stimulus.
Breathing, thrashing, shivering, sucking, rooting, swallowing, spitting up

26. Other reflexes signify normal functioning
The Newborn
Other reflexes signify normal functioning
Babinski reflex. When feet are stroked, their toes fan upward.
Stepping reflex. When held upright with feet touching a flat surface, infants move their legs as if to walk.
Swimming reflex. When laid horizontally on their stomachs, infants stretch out their arms and legs.
Palmar grasping reflex. When something touches infants’ palms, they grip it tightly.
Moro reflex. When someone startles them, infants fling their arms outward and then bring them together on their chests, as if to hold on to something, while crying with wide-open eyes.

27. The Father’s Role Supportive father helps mother stay healthy
Father can decrease or increase mother’s stress (affects fetus)
Most fathers are helpful to their pregnant wives
Two way street: Pregnant mothers should support, involve, and encourage fathers

28. Postpartum Depression
Sadness and inadequacy felt by 8-15% of new mothers in the days and weeks after giving birth
Symptoms range from baby blues to postpartum psychosis
Baby care feels burdensome and thoughts of mistreating the infant may exist
Paternal involvement can have beneficial effect
Some fathers are depressed themselves
Causes for Postpartum Depression vary

29. Bonding
Parent-Infant Bond
The strong, loving connection that forms as parents hold, examine, and feed the newborn
Cross-fostering in monkeys
Newborns are removed from their mothers
and raised by another female or male
Strong and beneficial relationship sometimes
develops
Birth complications can have lingering
impact on later life
Mothers and fathers should help with
early caregiving if newborn must stay in
the hospital