Alcohol and Smoking
Teratogens: agents that can disrupt prenatal development and cause malformations or termination of the pregnancy
Alcohol should not be a part of a pregnant woman's diet, and smoking is never a good idea. When you drink an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol in it enters your bloodstream and circulates through your system until your liver can break it down over the next couple hours and pass it from your system. During that time, the alcohol is crossing the placenta and does damage to the developing embryo or fetus. The most clear cut effect of alcohol on a pregnancy is seen in children born to women who have consumed large quantities of alcohol throughout their pregnancy or who have had several accounts of binge drinking. This can result in fetal alcohol syndrome which includes physical characteristics such as abnormal facial features, small stature, and a small head and functional problems such as problems with learning, memory, and attention span. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders include functional deficits that include difficulty with abstract thinking, poor problem-solving skills, mood swings, or being defensive or stubborn.
Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and sudden infant death. Maternal smoking while pregnant is a major contributor to later developmental problems for the child. Behavioral effects have been found including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, and learning disabilities. Unfortunately babies born to mothers who smoke during their pregnancy appear to undergo withdrawal symptoms.
Teratogens: agents that can disrupt prenatal development and cause malformations or termination of the pregnancy
Alcohol should not be a part of a pregnant woman's diet, and smoking is never a good idea. When you drink an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol in it enters your bloodstream and circulates through your system until your liver can break it down over the next couple hours and pass it from your system. During that time, the alcohol is crossing the placenta and does damage to the developing embryo or fetus. The most clear cut effect of alcohol on a pregnancy is seen in children born to women who have consumed large quantities of alcohol throughout their pregnancy or who have had several accounts of binge drinking. This can result in fetal alcohol syndrome which includes physical characteristics such as abnormal facial features, small stature, and a small head and functional problems such as problems with learning, memory, and attention span. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders include functional deficits that include difficulty with abstract thinking, poor problem-solving skills, mood swings, or being defensive or stubborn.
Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and sudden infant death. Maternal smoking while pregnant is a major contributor to later developmental problems for the child. Behavioral effects have been found including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, and learning disabilities. Unfortunately babies born to mothers who smoke during their pregnancy appear to undergo withdrawal symptoms.
Maternal Diet
A well-balanced diet is essential for both a mother and her baby during a pregnancy. The mother only needs an extra 300 calories a day to support prenatal growth. The recommended weight gain for women who begin their pregnancy at a normal weight is 25 to 30 pounds. The goal in the end is a newborn weighing about 7 or 8 pounds at birth. If the mother is malnourished, the negative consequences can be severe and long-lasting affecting the future health of the infant as well as cognitive skills, problem-solving skills, developmental levels, and behavioral functioning. Because pregnant women need to be sure that their diet has an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals, doctors usually prescribe a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin. Folic acid should be incorporated in the diet while pregnant. There are foods that should be avoided while pregnant such as soft cheeses, uncooked hot dogs, luncheon meats, certain types of fish, and caffeine.
A well-balanced diet is essential for both a mother and her baby during a pregnancy. The mother only needs an extra 300 calories a day to support prenatal growth. The recommended weight gain for women who begin their pregnancy at a normal weight is 25 to 30 pounds. The goal in the end is a newborn weighing about 7 or 8 pounds at birth. If the mother is malnourished, the negative consequences can be severe and long-lasting affecting the future health of the infant as well as cognitive skills, problem-solving skills, developmental levels, and behavioral functioning. Because pregnant women need to be sure that their diet has an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals, doctors usually prescribe a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin. Folic acid should be incorporated in the diet while pregnant. There are foods that should be avoided while pregnant such as soft cheeses, uncooked hot dogs, luncheon meats, certain types of fish, and caffeine.
Maternal Well-Being
Seeing a physician on a regular basis, beginning early in the pregnancy is one of the best things a pregnant woman can do to avoid problems later on. When we are under stress, our body produces stress hormones, and one of those hormones, cortisol, can pass through the placenta. High levels of maternal stress hormones during a pregnancy have been associated with lower birth weight and a slower growth rate in the fetus. Maternal stress early in the prenatal period has a greater impact on fetal growth.
Seeing a physician on a regular basis, beginning early in the pregnancy is one of the best things a pregnant woman can do to avoid problems later on. When we are under stress, our body produces stress hormones, and one of those hormones, cortisol, can pass through the placenta. High levels of maternal stress hormones during a pregnancy have been associated with lower birth weight and a slower growth rate in the fetus. Maternal stress early in the prenatal period has a greater impact on fetal growth.