Prenatal Development and Later Development - Essay Example

Prenatal Development and Later Development Introduction In today’s world, it has been established that there exists interaction between an organism and its environment, which begins at the stage of conception (Bremner and Fogel, 2008). In such case, it has been established that when all is well and no particular problem has been detected, prenatal environment is understood to provide adequate stimulation and support that is required for the growing fetus to mature physically. Subsequently, such appropriate environment enables the fetus to develop necessary and right behaviors that allow it to seek more stimulation, which later contributes to the development of more sophisticated behavior (Bremner and Fogel, 2008). On the other hand, when the prenatal environment is perceived and subsequently becomes abnormal, development of the fetus is characterized by numerous problems that stagnate overall efficient development. As a result of this glimpse perception, this essay intends to investigate and highlight how prenatal environment and development affect all of later development. More specifically, the essay will evaluate how exposure to substances abuse and genetic influences are likely to affect prenatal development and subsequent later development. Fetus developmental environment Different researchers have established that fetus develop within complex environment, which later affects their subsequent development after birth (Hood, Halpern, Greenberg and Lerner, 2011). In this perspective, it has been identified that no time in the life span does development occur faster or is the environment more important than between conception and birth. Prenatal development is categorized into three main stages, which are germinal period, the embryonic period, and the fetal period (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). Germinal period is estimated to last for about two weeks and during this period, and after fertilization has taken place, a fetus in form of blastocyst becomes fully embedded in the wall of uterus (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). The second stage is the embryonic period whereby, it takes place from the third to eighth week after conception. This period is when major organs of the fetus start to take shape and the prenatal environment becomes critical for the now forming fetus (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). The third stage is the fetal period whereby, the embryo gradually transforms into a fetus and major body organs are gradually and fully formed (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). Furthermore, the organs become more visible and the prenatal environment impacts heavily on the developing fetus. On overall, it has been suggested that each stage of the prenatal period is vital to the healthy development of the child. It is has been observed that, the prenatal environment is greatly influential to the developing fetus, just like the physical and social environments that impact the development process (Colendrino-Bucu, Guerrero, Pascual and Mateo, 1993). For instance, social and physical environments in which the mother of the unborn child is exposed to have been found to influence the prenatal environment and subsequently affecting development of the child after birth. Prenatal environment constitutes several interrelated components that range from the developing fetus’s intra-uterine environment to the mother’s external environment (Colendrino-Bucu, Guerrero, Pascual and Mateo, 1993). Prenatal environment has become critical in providing or generating normal or abnormal developmental aspects to the fetus. This is so because, as the fetus lies in the uterus, the surrounding environment is perceived to play important role in the subsequent formation of the unborn child. Prenatal environment therefore is characterized by internal conditions such as the amniotic fluid, which provides insulation to the fetus, the pressures that surround the fetus, nutrition, general conditions of the mother, and the birth process (Colendrino-Bucu, Guerrero, Pascual and Mateo, 1993). Moreover, the authors note that, genes that take part in the development of organs of the fetus are influenced greatly with an internal environment that determines how they later develop. How prenatal development impact subsequent child development Research findings postulate that the events and all aspects that take place during the prenatal period are responsible for lifelong effects on physical health and mental development of the fetus (Martin and Dombrowski, 2008). For instance, scientists have observed that fetus development is likely to be influenced by external aspects of radioactivity, stress, drugs, and chemicals (Martin and Dombrowski, 2008). In addition, prenatal environment that supports development of fetus is likely to be influenced by hormones, viruses, and genetic elements found in the bloodstream of the mother (Martin and Dombrowski, 2008). Therefore, it is during the prenatal stage of development that the fetus is likely to be exposed to either conducive and development supporting elements or exposed to numerous hazards and risks, which subsequently affect the development process. During this period, internal environment in which the fetus is exposed to is greatly likely to interact and influence genetic composition and functioning in the fetus formation that later makes or breaks development process in the lifespan of the child. Nature-nurture constitutes an issue to put into consideration when investigating the prenatal environment and its subsequent influence on the development of a child. For instance, environment that surrounds the formation of the fetus, both internal and external, is perceived to greatly interact and influence genetic make-up of the fetus and the entire developmental life of the child when born (Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). Therefore, individuals in their lives become who they are as a result of interaction of environment and genetic elements, hence emphasis of the nature-nurture issue. Some of the factors of prenatal environment that may in one way or the other influence the development of the fetus include health hazards, maternal malnutrition, maternal stress, infections, and legal and illegal drugs (Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). At the same time, March and Dimes (2004) established that, environmental aspects such as domestic violence, lack of social support, long working periods, and long periods of standing are likely to affect the prenatal environment and subsequently affect the development of the fetus (cited in Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). On overall, prenatal period of development is critically sensitive to the development of the inborn baby and later the development of the child in his or her lifetime. Critical tissues and organs are generally formed during this period and any form of adverse influence is likely to affect or disorganize the primary structure and the form of the body for the developing fetus and child later. More impacts are likely to be realized in the nervous systems, which are responsible for the general development of the child in later life. Dysfunction of the nervous system is likely to stagnate the physical development of the child and result into irreparable malformation of organs and tissues. Substance abuse among expectant mothers has been found to have the ability of affecting the prenatal environment and later affect the development of the fetus (Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). For instance, in a study conducted by March and Dimes (2005), it was established that, expectant mothers who smoke, take alcohol, and abuse illicit drugs have higher chances of delivering children with numerous birth defects, have developmental disabilities, and the children are likely not to live long (Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). At the same time, smoking is linked to dilution of the prenatal environment in many ways. For instance, smoking by expectant mothers is responsible for constrictions in the blood vessels in the umbilical cord and uterus, which in turn decrease the amount of oxygen available to the fetus and leading to the damage of the brain (Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). At the same time, expectant mothers who take alcohol have been found to give birth to children with low weight, are likely to be mentally retarded, exhibit atypical facial features, and the brain is likely to be damaged (Paulukaitis and University of Nevada, 2006). Teratogens may constitute drugs or chemicals, which have been found to influence the prenatal environment. In most cases, Teratogens leads into abnormal development of organs and tissues in the fetus, which later have impact on the development process (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). For instance, excessive Teratogens have been associated with deformities in the fetus and child born, blindness, brain damage, and sometimes death (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). Genetic abnormalities have also been investigated as a factor that impacts prenatal environment and subsequently affects the development of fetus. Genetic abnormalities may be as a result of both internal and external factors, which alter the development process of the fetus and later dictate the postnatal growth of the child (Haywood and Getchell, 2009). Genetic abnormalities have been associated with increased child defects such as mental retardation, distinctive abnormal organ features, visual and hearing impairments, heart defects, and many more (Haywood and Getchell, 2009). Conclusion The evidence presented in this essay point to the fact that prenatal development significantly affects all of later development. Prenatal development is affected by prenatal environment, which is created by both internal and external physical and social factors that expectant mother is exposed to. Given that critical organ and tissue development take place during the prenatal development, it has been established that any form of impact whether positive or negative is likely to have long-time effect on the developing fetus and later the child to be born. Findings therefore, refute earlier claims, which postulated that later life development of the child was largely influenced in the post-natal period. References Bremner, G., & Fogel, A. (2008). Blackwell Handbook of Infant Development. MA: John Wiley and Sons. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=GVdeYJgPmTMC&pg=PA505&dq=embryo+development+and+impact+of+prenatal+environment&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KQQDT7DYNI3o-ga8-tW7AQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=embryo%20development%20and%20impact%20of%20prenatal%20environment&f=false. Colendrino-Bucu, L., Guerrero, M. R., Pascual, B. M., & Mateo, R. A. (1993). Introduction to Psychology. Philippines: Rex Book Store. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=CWYAr7EzasQC&pg=PA55&dq=prenatal+environment&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rusCT-yUMIKVOt3qrPAB&ved=0CEkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=prenatal%20environment&f=false. Haywood, K., & Getchell, N. (2009). Life Span Motor Development. IL: Human Kinetics. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=UUa3jJqzOqUC&pg=PA47&dq=how+genetic+factors+influence+prenatal+development&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8_8CT7L1OMeh-QaRiNjTAQ&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=how%20genetic%20factors%20influence%20prenatal%20development&f=false. Hood, K. E., Halpern, C. T., Greenberg, G., & Lerner, R. M. (2011). Handbook of Developmental Science, Behavior, and Genetics. MA: John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=zpofz8ehFGwC&pg=PT208&dq=prenatal+environment&hl=en&sa=X&ei=V_ACT_msK8OhOv744aoB&ved=0CDMQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=prenatal%20environment&f=false. Martin, R., & Dombrowski, S. C. (2008). Prenatal exposures: Psychological and Educational Consequences for Children. NY: Springer. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=p8FUCgYO1ekC&pg=PA9&dq=embryo+development+and+impact+of+prenatal+environment&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KQQDT7DYNI3o-ga8-tW7AQ&ved=0CF4Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=embryo%20development%20and%20impact%20of%20prenatal%20environment&f=false. Paulukaitis, J. J., & University of Nevada. (2006). Risk factors in the prenatal environment and later cognitive abilities of very low birth weight premature infants in Northern Nevada. IL: ProQuest. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=NzF7hI4F8_gC&pg=PA29&dq=prenatal+environment&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wuYCT9v6M5DG-Qax-tmdAQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=prenatal%20environment&f=false. Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2011). Life-Span Human Development. OH: Cengage Learning. Retrieved January 3, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=8smBuRecmDsC&pg=PT124&dq=prenatal+development&hl=en&sa=X&ei=y8sCT6H6EZGE-wbM6fjQAQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=prenatal%20development&f=false. Read More