The prenatal period is the stage of lifespan development from conception to birth. It is the only period which has a definitive physical beginning and ending point. In the contemporary world, due to a huge amount of accessible information through Google, prenatal tests, social media and the study of genetics, the prenatal period can prove to be overwhelming for the mothers. This blog addresses the development phases of the baby that happen inside the body and how the health, lifestyle and actions of the mother can have an effect on the development.
Different factors affect the health and development of the child. Development includes both continuous and discontinuous changes. The development is stage-like which means that not it is not entirely dependent on the prenatal period. Epigenetics is when the gene expression can change as a result of environmental factors. The external factors such as lifestyle, age, environment and diseases can cause a change in the natural occurrence, so the mother has a right to be overwhelmed.
Expecting parents, especially the mothers, should follow certain habits to ensure the healthy development of their baby. Mothers should completely avoid smoking because it can cause poor intrauterine growth, preterm birth or even infant death. Due to maternal smoking, there is a higher risk for neurodevelopmental problems. Mothers should not consume alcohol as it might result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The alcohol hinders the complete development of the fetus’ brain and organs. Moreover, mothers also need to take care of their diet. Deficiency in nutrients such as vitamin B9 have adverse effects on the child’s growth. If mothers eat excessively, the babies might have excess weight gain which might result in complications such as c-section. Children who are born to mothers who are pregnant during famine are smaller than the average. Therefore, the diet patterns of the mother play a massive role in the health of the child. The afore-mentioned recommendations are mainly part of the cognitive development theory.
Choosing a different theoretical framework such as the psychosocial theory would change the recommendations. The psychosocial development is based on emotional, personality and social changes. The social customs and interactions with the society are important for child development. Mothers who have depression during pregnancy usually have children with a lower IQ at the age of 8 years. The psychosocial development mainly focuses on personality, so choosing this theory would result in recommendations based mainly on the mental health instead of the physical characteristics of the child.
The optimal way to think about the relationship between theory and practice is to consider both the mental and physical characteristics of the child. Ignoring a certain theory might result in mothers opting for different actions during the prenatal period which might have a long-term effect on the child’s development. Following the basic recommendations such as avoiding smoking, consumption of alcohol, taking a balanced diet and taking care of the mental health will certainly ensure healthy development. However, there is a direct relationship between the available information and the consciousness of the mothers. The ethicality of prenatal tests and predictions is often questioned. In many cases, testing does not give mothers the ability to make sound decisions, but the knowledge of the health and gender of the child certainly effects the mental health.
Knowledge of how a mother should treat themselves is also essential which a lot of women don’t have, especially in developing countries. This leads to early deaths of children. Unfortunately, Pakistan stands first in this list with highest newborn mortality rate where newborns face one in 22 chance of dying in the first month of their birth. As numerous studies have illustrated, a child’s health depends on how healthy the mother is. These deaths are preventable if women’s, particularly rural women’s, health crises are addressed by being sensitive towards women’s nutrition, their access to healthcare and quality services and ensuring skilled birth attendance. In the recent years, Pakistan has made progress in healthcare facilities, such as the country’s extensive efforts to achieve SDGs, the establishment of basic health units and rural health centers for the rural population. The introduction of the Benazir Income Support Programme, a social protection program which provides women with life and health insurance, is also aimed at socially assisting women. Extending the premium facilities to rural and remote areas, however, remains elusive. Pakistan currently needs a well-integrated healthcare system that can protect all citizens from the health and financial risks of illnesses, regardless of class, location and gender. Bad delivery systems, weak infrastructure and low health spending, specifically on nutrition, have threatened the survival of the world’s poorest infants. Rural women’s health issues must be solved to ensure a liveable atmosphere for newborns. Moreover, an increased budget for safety, dietary initiatives, well-integrated services for mothers and newborns, the provision of drinking water, professional delivery facilities and access to remote areas of midwives and trained practitioners are mandatory
