Developmental Psychology Pre-Natal Period PDF

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY  Definition of Terms Development –a progressive series of changes that occur as a result of maturation and experience. It implies qualitative changes.  The goal of development is to enable the individual to adapt to the environment in which he li...

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY  Definition of Terms Development –a progressive series of changes that occur as a result of maturation and experience. It implies qualitative changes.  The goal of development is to enable the individual to adapt to the environment in which he lives Growth It means a continuous and additive process and implies quantitative changes  Involves two changes: Structural change – referred to as “physical change”, involves the size and proportion in relation to height, weight, & breadth & to the different parts and organs of the body Functional change – involves slowing down of mental processes like the ability to perceive things, the ability to reason, the increase of vocabulary, agility, etc.  Maturation –It refers to the process of change of an individual which occurs primarily as a function of aging or time. It includes effects of practice and experience.  4 Basic Principles of GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT 1. Development follows an orderly sequence which is predictable. 2. The rate of development is UNIQUE to each individual. 3. Development involves change. 4. Early development is more critical than later development.  Development is the PRODUCT of MATURATION and LEARNING. There are individual differences in development. 2 FACTORS GOVERNING DEVELOPMENT  Prenatal Influences The NATURE-NURTURE question asks how much nature (genetic factors) and how much nurture (environmental factors) contribute to a person’s biological, emotional, cognitive, personal, and social development. 1. Heredity – Transmission of genetic characteristics from the parent to the offspring. 2. Environment – Another factor that contributes to a person’s behavior, growth and development. EXTERNAL – includes all the conditions outside an organism that in any way influences life processes EXCEPT genes  2 classification of EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT External physical environment – made up of many things in the world that affect us directly and all the things that stimulate our sense organs.  Social environment –Includes all the human beings who influence us.  Prenatal Development Gestation – period between conception and birth Between 37 and 41 weeks Gestational Age: dated from the first day of an expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle  Day One The first cell of a new human being, called a zygote, is formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg. In the egg cell shown here, the nuclei of the sperm and egg appear as two yellow-brown, irregular shapes. When these two nuclei fuse, fertilization is accomplished.  Germinal Stage From fertilization to about 2 weeks of gestational age Zygote enters into cell division (mitosis) while making its way to the fallopian tube Differentiation – specialization of the cells to perform various tasks  Day Three The zygote begins its journey down the Fallopian tube. About 36 hours after fertilization, cell division begins in the Fallopian tube, and continues to occur about twice a day. In three to four days, the cluster of dividing cells completes the 10 cm (4 in) journey through the Fallopian tube to the uterus.  Day Six About the fifth day after fertilization, a cluster of about a hundred cells floats in the uterus. It soon takes the form of a fluid-filled ball of cells called a blastocyst. After one or two days in the uterus, the blastocyst burrows into the uterine lining, which grows over the blastocyst and provides it with nutrients. This process is known as implantation, and the blastocyst is now called an embryo.  Week Four After implantation, cells of the embryo begin to specialize and form primitive organs. In the four week-old embryo shown here, the head (bottom, left) can be distinguished. The heart beats, and limb buds of the arms and legs are visible. The placenta develops at this stage and provides the embryo with nutrients from the mother. The four-week-old embryo measures about 5 mm (about 0.2 in) from crown to rump.  Embryonic Period From 2 to 8 weeks (First 2 months) Major body systems (respiratory, digestive, and nervous system) develop known as Organogenesis Critical Period – most vulnerable to destructive influences Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage) – expulsion from the uterus of an embryo that is unable to survive outside the womb Stillbirth – miscarriage occurred after 20 weeks of gestation (approx. 5 months) Males are more likely to be spontaneously aborted or to be stillborn Week Eight After eight weeks of development, all the rudimentary structures of a human have formed, and the embryo passes into the fetal stage of development. The fetus floats in the watery amniotic fluid, which is contained by the transparent, tough, amniotic membrane. The amniotic fluid acts as a shock absorber, preventing damage to the developing fetus. The eight-week-old fetus measures about 30 mm (about 1.2 in) from crown to rump. Development of the Human Fetus Although the total gestation period for humans lasts nine months, the fetus has a recognizable human form by the 12th week of development. The vital organs are not sufficiently developed to sustain life outside the uterus until the seventh month. While in the womb, the fetus is especially susceptible to the effects of drugs, alcohol, and x-rays.  Fetal Period From 8 weeks to Birth Appearance of the first bone cells Final stage of gestation Grows rapidly to about 20x its previous length Finishing touches Breathe, kick, turn, etc. Facial expressions of pain at 36 weeks Responds to mother’s voice Fetuses know when they approach the near end of the pregnancy Grasping reflex 6 months or more fetuses can survive outside the womb 24-37 months babies need help in breathing Newborn Baby Newborn babies are helpless, but they can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. They cry to let people know they need food or comfort.  Environmental Influences Teratogen – environmental agent that can interfere with normal prenatal development (Alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, etc.) Teratology – field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects  Nutrition: Maternal Weight Women of normal weight are less likely to have birth complications Overweight women have risk of having longer deliveries, need more health care services, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, birth defects etc. Omega-E, DHA, Folic Acid for the development of nervous system  Malnutrition Results to fetal growth restriction and low birth weight Physical Activity and Work Moderate exercise is recommended to reduce back pain, risks for gestational diabetes and etc.  Drug Intake Thalidomide – caused stunted limbs, facial deformities, and defective organs Another set of drugs that are harmful for pregnant women: Antibiotics, certain Barbiturates, Opiates, Acutane Opioids are associated with small babies, fetal death, preterm labor, and aspiration of meconium Babies born with drug-addicted mothers tend to experience withdrawal once they are born and no longer receive drugs Neonate Abstinence Syndrome – sleep disturbance, tremors, difficulty regulating the body, irritability, crying and etc.  Drug Intake Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – characterized by a combination of retarded growth, face and body malformations, and disorders of the central nervous system Maternal smoking was identified to be the most important factor for low-birth weight babies Tobacco also increases the risks of miscarriage, growth retardation, stillbirth, SIDS, etc. Caffeine has slightly increased risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight babies  Viral, Bacterial Infections Rubella (German measles) almost certain to cause deafness and heart defects to babies Toxoplasmosis – caused by parasite in the bodies of cattle, sheep, and pigs, and in the intestinal tracts of cats that causes fetal brain damage, severely impaired eyesight, seizures, miscarriage, etc. Diabetic mothers are most likely to have babies that have heart and neural tube defects  Maternal Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Stress and anxiety has been associated with more irritable and active temperament in newborns Chronic stress can result in preterm delivery Depression may cause premature birth or developmental delays  Maternal Age Chance of miscarriage or stillbirth rises with maternal age Maternal age-related risks are lowest at 25 to 35 years of age. 36 and above women are at risk. This is because the quality of eggs decreases with age, which can lead to genetic conditions like Down syndrome Adolescent Mothers tend to have premature or underweight babies  Paternal Factors Exposure to lead, marijuana, tobacco, radiation, pesticides, etc may result in abnormal or poor quality sperm Babies who fathers had diagnostic x-rays within the year prior to conception or had a high lead exposure at work tends to have low birth weight and slowed fetal growth Older fathers may be significant source of birth defects due to damaged or deteriorated sperm such as dwarfism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ASD  Stages of Birth First Stage (Dilation of the Cervix) – Longest stage – Contractions are 15 to 20 mins apart – Cervix opened about 10cm – For first born, it can last for 6-12 hrs, then shorter for the next children Second Stage (Descent and Emergence of the Baby) – Baby’s head starts to move through the cervix – Baby is coming out – Approx. 45 mins to hr Third Stage (Expulsion of the Placenta) – Afterbirth – Placenta, Umbilical cord, and other membranes detached and expelled – Shortest stage Prenatal Care Prenatal cell-free DNA Scans – fetal DNA is extracted from the mother’s blood and tested for early detection of genetic problems Birth Process Labor – process of giving birth Parturition – series of uterine, cervical, and other changes which begins 2 weeks before the delivery Braxton-Hicks Contractions – false contractions Real labor contractions are more frequent, rhythmic, and painful, and they increase in frequency and intensity  Midwifery – profession that provides health care to women during pregnancy, birth, and even postpartum period Doula – caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support for the mother before, during, and after childbirth  Methods of Childbirth Electronic Fetal Monitoring – used to track the fetus’ heartbeat during labor and delivery and to indicate how the fetal heart is responding to the stress of uterine contractions can provide valuable information in high-risk deliveries extremely high false-positive rate  Methods of Childbirth Three kinds of drugs are used for labor: 1.Analgesia – pain reliever such as tranquilizers, barbiturates, and narcotics 2.Anesthesia – used in the late first stage labor and during delivery to block sensation in an area of the body or to block consciousness Epidural Block – regional anesthesia that blocks the lower part of the body Pudendal Block – vaginal anesthesia 3. Oxytocin – hormone that promotes contraction (Pitocin)  Methods of Childbirth Natural Childbirth – method that aims to reduce the mother’s pain by decreasing her fear by providing information about childbirth and teaching her and her partner to use breathing methods and relaxation techniques during delivery Bradley Method – husbands as coaches, relation for easier birth and prenatal nutrition and exercise Prepared Childbirth or Lamaze method – special breathing technique to control pushing in the final stages of labor  Methods of Childbirth Vaginal Delivery – usual childbirth Benefits: surge of hormones that clear the lungs and excess fluid, mobilize stored fuel to nourish cells, and send blood to the heart and brain Cesarean Delivery – baby is removed from the mother’s uterus through an incision made in her abdomen Performed if the baby is lying crosswise, if the baby’s head is too large, complications, or if the mother is bleeding internally Not recommended prior to 39 weeks of gestation unless there is an indication of fetal lung maturity Breech Position – baby’s buttocks are the first part to emerge from the vagina which can cause respiratory problems Complications: bleeding, infection, damage to pelvic organs, post-operative pains, riskier future pregnancies ASSESSING THE NEWBORN ASSESSING THE NEWBORN 7-10, condition is good 5, developmental difficulties 3 or below, emergency and the baby might not survive 9-10 score, risk of developing ADHD in childhood ASSESSING THE NEWBORN Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale – performed within 24-36 hrs after birth to assess neurological development, reflexes, and reactions Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale – assessment of the newborn’s behavior, neurological and stress response, and regulatory capacities Newborn Screening for Medical Conditions - check for rare genetic, hormone-related, and metabolic conditions that can cause serious health problems ASSESSING THE NEWBORN Boys tend to be slightly longer and heavier than girls First born weigh less that laterborns Fontanels (yubon)– where the bones of the skull don’t meet Lanugo – fuzzy prenatal hair (baby hair) Vernix Caseosa (white scales)– oily protection against infection that dries within the first few days ASSESSING THE NEWBORN Anoxia – lack of oxygen Hypoxia – reduced oxygen supply Anoxia or Hypoxia may occur during delivery as a result of repeated compression of the placenta and umbilical cord that could leave permanent brain damage, mental retardation, behavior problems or even death Meconium – stringy, greenish-black waste matter formed in the fetal intestinal tract Neonatal Jaundice – skin and eyeballs look yellow caused by immaturity of the liver  Pre-term and Low Birth Weight Infants Low Birth Weight Infants – weigh less than 5 pounds and 8 ounces at birth Very Low birth Weight – less than 3 pounds 4 ounces Extremely Low Birth – less than 2 pounds Pre-term Infants – born three weeks or more before pregnancy reach full term (before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation) Small for Date Infants (Small for Gestational Age Infants) – those whose birth weight is below normal when the length of pregnancy is considered Pre-term and Low Birth Weight Infants Progestin – might help in reducing preterm birth Extremely Preterm – born less than 28 weeks gestation Very Preterm – less than 33 weeks Kangaroo Care – involves skin-to-skin contact in which the baby, wearing only diaper, is held upright against the parent’s bare chest to help stabilize the preterm’s heartbeat, temp, and breathing Pre-term and Low Birth Weight Infants One condition commonly faced by preterm babies is Respiratory Distress Syndrome wherein there is a lack of surfactant (lung-coating substance) that keeps air sacs from collapsing Postmature Babies – tend to be long and this because they have kept growing in the womb but have had an insufficient blood supply toward the end of gestation Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – crib death; sudden death of an infant under age 1 which cause of death remains unexplained  Postpartum Period Period after childbirth Lasts for about 6 weeks or until the mother’s body has completed the adjustment and returned to nearly prepregnant state  Physical Adjustment Loss of sleep that the primary caregiver experiences during this period Sudden and dramatic hormone production Estrogen and progesterone levels drop steeply and remain low until the ovaries start producing again  Emotional and Psychological Adjustment Emotional fluctuations are common Postpartum Blues – 2-3 days after birth they feel depressed, anxious, and upset Postpartum Depression – involves a major depressive episode that typically occurs about four weeks after delivery or at least a two-week period of having trouble coping with their daily task Postpartum Depression could affect how the mother interacts with her infant Fathers may also experience depression or they may feel replaced by the baby  Bonding Formation of connection, especially a physical bond between parents and the newborn in the period shortly after birth Newborn MUST have close contact with the mother in the first few days of like to develop optimally is NOT true