Fetal Development and Stress

Question 1

What is Barkers Hypothesis

Answer 1

heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, hypertension originate in response to undernutrition during fetal life

Question 2

What is programming hypothesis?

Answer 2

non-genetic factors can organize or imprint permanently on physiological system

Question 3

What is the role of the HPA axis during pregnancy?

Answer 3

estrogen stimulates cortisol porduction, and there is more estrogen during pregnancy, therefore, higher cortisol

Question 4

What are some positive aspects of stress during pregancy?

Answer 4

• influence growth in uterus, activity of pancreas
• maturation of organ system
• accelerate lung maturation, decreases respiratory distress syndrome

Question 5

How can moderate levels of stress be beneficial for optimal developement?

Answer 5

• sensitizes developing nervous system
• develops adaptive response to stress

Question 6

What are physiological impacts of maternal stress?

Answer 6

• increase infant mortality and preterm births
• decrease birth weight
• HPA axis response

Question 7

What are psychological impact of maternal stress?

Answer 7

• long-term psychological effects
  1. deficits learning and memory
  2. temperament
  3. ADHD
  4. Schizophrenia

Question 8

What are the types of stress?

Answer 8

1. chronic stress
2. pregnancy specific anxiety (PSA)

Question 9

What are some consequences of chronic stress?

Answer 9

linked to delayed language developement and lower intellectual functioning

Question 10

What are some consequences of PSA

Answer 10

• shorter gestation
• decreased mental and motor developement
• disruptive temperament and attention regulation problems

Question 11

What are the threats to normal fetal development?

Answer 11

• susceptible to damage
• environmental factors that interfere with growth during critical period
• differs depending on system or organ

Question 12

What threats affect the developmental process?

Answer 12

• teratogen in early pregnancy may result in major structural malformation
• same teratogen later may result in neurobehavioral deficits

Question 13

What are the results of severe life event stress in the first trimester for the baby?

Answer 13

more congenital abnormalities, defect cranial-neural crest and derived organs

Question 14

What are the results of high maternal anxiety in the second trimester for the baby?

Answer 14

atypical laterality

Question 15

What are the result of severe stress and higher coritsol levels than normal in the third trimester for the baby?

Answer 15

more risk preterm labour, and premature delivery, infant will cry more, fussing and negative facial expressions.

Question 16

How can you reduce stress during pregancy?

Answer 16

• healthy balanced diet
• regular exercise
• relaxation