Factors and Hazards of Infant Development

Factors and Hazards of Infant Development There are many factors and hazards in the world that can influence an infant 's development even before birth. Because there are so many of them it is hard to choose which ones are the most important to remember or understand. I believe that drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and or doing drugs during pregnancy can be hazardous to the infant’s development. Alcohol during pregnancy I believe is one of the biggest hazards to a fetus. Drinking can put the mother and fetus at risk for several things. For example: miscarriages, stillbirths, premature infants, and low-birth-weight infants (Marotz & Allen 2013). When a woman is drinking on a regular basis it limits her dietary intake that both she and the fetus need to grow. Drinking during pregnancy can also have an effect on fetal development. Alcohol stays in the circulatory twice as long in a fetus than it does in the mother. This can cause the most damage to the fetus during the first trimester when body structures and organs are forming, such as the brain, heart, and nervous system. Another hazard during pregnancy I believe that has an effect on the fetus is smoking. Smoking along with alcohol crosses the placental barrier and interferes with fetal development. While smoking the oxygen available to the fetus is decreased by the carbon monoxide. Also with smoking a women can experience miscarriages, stillbirths, premature infants, and low-birth-weight infants (Marotz & Allen 2013). Women who smoke during pregnancy, “their babies are also at higher risk for developing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and a range of acute and chronic respiratory problems (Marotz & Allen, 2013, p. 59).” The last hazard that I believe should be talked more to women who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant are chemicals and drugs. This ranges from prescription and nonprescription, to pesticides, fertilizer and street drugs. Here is a list of just some of the chemicals or drugs:
• Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methadone
• Nicotine
• Diet pills
• Thyroid and antithyroid drugs
• Hormones and many more (Marotz & Allen, 2013, p. 60).
Some can cause severe malformation while others can lead to fetal death, premature birth, or lifelong behavior and learning disabilities. I choose these three hazards to inform more people about because I know the personal the effects it has on an unborn infant. When my mother was pregnant with me she did not choose to take care of herself like she should. She drank, smoked and did nonprescription drugs and street drugs. I formed correctly structurally wise but my brain did not. I have Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes the brain to interpret information differently. I hope woman that are pregnant or want to become pregnant choose not to drink, smoke, or do drugs so they can have the best possible fetal development they can have.

References
Marotz, L R. & Allen, K. (2013). Developmental Profiles Pre-Birth through Adolescence. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

References: Marotz, L R. & Allen, K. (2013). Developmental Profiles Pre-Birth through Adolescence. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.