Maternal Behaviour on the Development of the Poetus
Madhavi Indarjeet Lower Sixth B Biology Research Paper “Effect of Maternal Behaviour on Foetal Development.”
When Abraham Lincoln said "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world," he understood the power of women in this world. The maternal being is the mother and it is she who actually brings us whether we are male or female into this world. Hence, it is only natural for her behaviour to have an effect on the foetus’ development.
The behaviour being referred to here may be physical and psychological behaviours which may be either negative or positive. Physical behaviour would not only include the taking of drugs, use of alcohol and unnecessary medication but also proper nutrition, exercise, getting enough sleep, and checking with the gynaecologist. On the other hand, psychological behaviours would include anxiety, depression, fear, stress and also elation, happiness and sensitivity.
According to a review, “Early Human Development” (Mulder E. J. H. et al), intrauterine exposure to social drugs for example alcohol and marijuana etc. , may cause structural and at times functional development deficiency which may result in life- long physical and mental handicaps. A pregnant woman who uses drugs during pregnancy increases the risk for not only her baby but herself as she can suffer from anaemia, blood and heart conditions, skin infections, hepatitis and other infections. The use of drugs during pregnancy is critical to the foetus’ health as now its main body systems are forming and it causes severe damage during the
When Abraham Lincoln said "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world," he understood the power of women in this world. The maternal being is the mother and it is she who actually brings us whether we are male or female into this world. Hence, it is only natural for her behaviour to have an effect on the foetus’ development.
The behaviour being referred to here may be physical and psychological behaviours which may be either negative or positive. Physical behaviour would not only include the taking of drugs, use of alcohol and unnecessary medication but also proper nutrition, exercise, getting enough sleep, and checking with the gynaecologist. On the other hand, psychological behaviours would include anxiety, depression, fear, stress and also elation, happiness and sensitivity.
According to a review, “Early Human Development” (Mulder E. J. H. et al), intrauterine exposure to social drugs for example alcohol and marijuana etc. , may cause structural and at times functional development deficiency which may result in life- long physical and mental handicaps. A pregnant woman who uses drugs during pregnancy increases the risk for not only her baby but herself as she can suffer from anaemia, blood and heart conditions, skin infections, hepatitis and other infections. The use of drugs during pregnancy is critical to the foetus’ health as now its main body systems are forming and it causes severe damage during the
References: Chang J. (Dec 2011), Pien G., et al Sleep Deprivation during Pregnancy and Maternal and Foetal Outcomes: Is There a Relationship? Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824023/ Gibson J., (2011) Mixed Messages from Mom – Maternal Psychological Health Influences Foetal Development Retrieved from http://brainblogger.com/2011/12/05/mixed-messages-from-mom-maternal-psychological-health-influences-fetal-development/ Mindell J., Retrieved from http://www.babycenter.com/404_will-my-lack-of-sleep-harm-my-baby_7601.bc Journal of Nutrition® Copyright © 2013 by the American Society for Nutrition Retrieved from http://jn.nutrition.org/content/134/9/2169.full