Infant Development Research Paper

Factors and Hazards of Infant Development

By Miranda Brueggeman

EC100/EEC1700 Section 05 Foundations of Child Development - Winter 2013

There are many factors and hazards that influence the development of babies before they are even born. In this essay I will only be discussing three that I feel are essential for parents to understand. The three I will be talking about are as follows: Limiting exposure to any and all teratogens such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and environmental chemicals; Consuming a nutritious diet; and The importance of obtaining early prenatal care. Women should avoid unnecessary contact with known teratogens when they are thinking about getting pregnant or already are pregnant. Several factors can influence a teratogen’s harmful effect on fetal development, including the amount of exposure, fetal age, and genetic makeup of the mother and fetus (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 80). Mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy have a greater risk of
74). A lack of prenatal care is often associated with an increased rate of medical complications, preterm births, low birth weight infants, fetal death, and disabilities (Developmental Profiles, 2012, p. 74). Parents who have pre-existing diseases or are on medications of any kind need to speak with their doctor before trying to get pregnant. Some medications are very bad for fetal development. I myself have rheumatoid arthritis along with anxiety and depression and I will need to seek a medical professional for advice before trying to get pregnant. Another reason why you should see a doctor before/during pregnancy is because they can give you a list of certain things you need to avoid or things you should and should not do for a safe and healthy