There are many factors and hazards which can influence the development of an infant even before birth. A parent’s choices can affect their baby from conception on through childhood. The three factors that I feel are more influential factors are prenatal care, consuming alcohol during pregnancy and smoking.
One of the most influential factors that can affect an infant’s development is prenatal care. If a woman suspects that she may be pregnant, a pregnancy test by a healthcare provider is absolutely necessary. The sooner that her pregnancy is confirmed the better. This will allow the mother to be evaluated, her due date determined, and have any tests done if needed. The mother can make necessary changes in her life-eating nutritiously, stop drinking and/or smoking, and begin exercising.
There are so many factors that can alter your pregnancy even something as unassuming as taking Tylenol. If a mother is over the age of 35 years old, there is a higher risk of miscarriage and birth defects so additional testing is advised.The second most influential factor during infant development is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. When a mother drinks, the alcohol quickly travels through the bloodstream to the baby. This hazard can be avoided with early prenatal care.
Simply if you find out you are pregnant-Don’t drink. If a mother consumes alcohol while pregnant, she puts the baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, hyperactivity, low-birth weight or to be born prematurely. It can also cause the baby to be stillborn or for the mother to have a miscarriage.The third most influential factor during infant development is smoking. Whether it is second hand smoke or the mother smoking. The most dangerous compounds of smoking are nicotine and carbon monoxide, which account for most all smoking related complications of pregnancy.
The most serious complications-including stillbirth, premature delivery, and low birth weight-can be chalked up to the fact that nicotine and carbon monoxide work together to reduce your baby’s supply of oxygen. (What are some risks while a mother smokes during pregnancy (n.d.). Since a pregnancy is not always planned, take the steps to quit as soon as possible not only for your baby for you too.Having a baby is really a miracle from conception to birth.
Mothers can easily avoid hazards that can cause harm to their baby by getting early prenatal care, and avoiding both alcohol and smoking. With early pregnancy detection, lifestyle changes and lots of love and support, even the most novice parent can insure healthy infant development.
