Chapter 10 - Responsible Parenthood Flashcards
The role of parents, carers and the family environment in determining the optimal development of children
Parents play an important role in the development of their children from before they are born. They influence the health and development of a baby, and parents/carers and the family environment continue to influence a child’s development for their entire life. It is often the things that an individual learns either directly or indirectly through their experiences in childhood that influence their physical, social, emotional and intellectual development, and shape the person they become
Germinal stage:
The first stage of prenatal development, measured from conception until implantation ( about two weeks post conception)
Key feature: The placenta has two important functions:
- Passing oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood into the embryo or fetus
- Removing waste materials from the embryo or fetus
Embryonic stage:
The second stage of prenatal development, from implantation until the end of the eighth week after conception
What happens : In this stage, all the major organs form, and the embryo becomes very fragile
Foetal stage:
Third stage or prenatal development, measure from the end of week eight up until birth
What happens : the sex organs of the fetus begin to form.
Risk factors related to prenatal development
Smoking during pregnancy:
- Smoking during pregnancy is known to be detrimental to the growth and development of the foetus
- Passive smoking can also affect the foetus.
- smoking reduces the oxygen supply and blood flow to the foetus via the placenta.
Alcohol during pregnancy:
- Alcohol is considered to be the most preventable cause of birth defects and brain damage in children. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can lead to low birthweight and damage the baby’s central nervous system,
Protective factors related to prenatal development
Vaccination:
Can protect a pregnant woman and her unborn child from a number of infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, influenza, rubella, mumps, tetanus, measles and hepatitis B.
Maternal diet:
A mother’s diet prior to conception is important, as it can help to improve the physical condition of the mother’s body and prepare it to support a new life. It is also important that women consume a healthy, well-balanced diet during pregnancy to meet their own nutritional needs and those of their baby.
Concept of Intergenerational health and wellbeing
The factors that shape prenatal development also shape health and wellbeing and development between generations over the lifespan. Meaning parents health and wellbeing influences the health and wellbeing of children, and conditions in prenatal development are linked to health and wellbeing outcomes later in life.
Risk factor/ protective factor
Things that increase the chance of developing a problem, or if a problem exists make it worse.
