Fetal Origin Theory

Early in the twentieth century, the impact of a pregnant mother’s choices and behavior was believed to bear no effect on her unborn child. Understanding from the medical community that her child was immune to the medications, alcohol, cigarettes or poor diet, of which she indulged, pregnant women typically continued with their preconception lifestyles.

However, tragic outcomes for these children began to reveal the effects of such toxins passed to the fetus via the placenta. Two well-known examples of this include birth defects resulting from the use of thalidomide in the 1960s and fetal alcohol syndrome due to alcohol consumption, first diagnosed in the early 1970s.

Furthermore, in 1971, diethylstilbestrol or DES given during pregnancy
caused vaginal cancer in girls born during this time. This cancer, typically diagnosed in postmenopausal women, afflicted these females at a young age. This finding clearly demonstrated the impact of prenatal care on a child into her future.

WHAT IS FETAL ORIGINS THEORY?
And, so fetal origins hypothesis birthed. The significant documentation of increased fetal risk associated with certain substances supports this theory. In fact, fetal origins extends beyond the effects of substances on an unborn child. Maternal stress, nutrition, obesity, illness and pollution prove worthy of consideration as well.

Fetal origins theory proposes that the time when a child is in the womb significantly affects developmental health and well-being after birth. And, yes, this impact extends from infancy into adulthood. In other words, that which affects a pregnant mom, in turn, impacts her unborn child. Choices and behavior during pregnancy do matter over the course of a child’s
lifetime.

In fact, the hypothesis is marked by three key components:

— Effects resulting from prenatal conditions persist for the child.
— The impact of prenatal choices lay latent and then appear later in the life of the child.
— A specific gene becomes active in the child due to experiences in the womb and perhaps an environmental trigger outside of it.

UNDERSTANDING BARKER’S HYPOTHESIS

Dr. David Barker became the voice of the fetal origins hypothesis in 1986 as the earliest proponent of the theory. Therefore, Barker’s hypothesis and fetal origins hypothesis are the same. Dr. Barker specifically published findings for a direct link between prenatal nutrition and health issues developed in later life, such as heart disease, Type II Diabetes and obesity. Beginning in England, other studies replicated his findings around the world.

In simple terms, Dr.
Barker suggests that unborn babies adapt in the womb to the expected environment outside the womb. Through information received as clues or “postcards” from the mother via the placenta, the fetus physiologically prepares for the world. Problems arise when the characteristics of the womb and that of the world do not match.

While this may sound confusing, the thrifty phenotype hypothesis offers an example for clarity. Suggesting that poor nutrition in utero lead to an increased risk of metabolic disorders, such as Type II Diabetes, this theory states that prenatal diet causes permanent changes in how a developing body processes food.

For instance, the scarcity of nutrients that a pregnant mom consumes wires her child to process this type of diet. When exposed to an abundance of processed foods after birth, the processing of these foods proves difficult because the body expected and was wired to handle a different diet. Issues of obesity, heart disease and Type II Diabetes may result later in the life of this infant, even after appearing healthy at birth.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PREGNANCY
TODAY

Research continues to reveal that a fetus is not afforded protection from nutritional damage caused by a mother’s diet. In fact, the time in utero, according to fetal origins theory, proves critical in shaping positive outcomes, not only at birth but throughout the life a child.

However, there is no need for a pregnant woman to panic. Proper care and good decision-making reduce fetal risk. By addressing poverty and the nutritional needs of pregnant women, public health intervention takes this step. For instance, the Federal Food Stamp Program and the supplemental feeding program of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) seek to provide low-income families with access to adequate nutrition.

For those above the poverty line, eating a variety of healthy foods increases the nutrients available to support the health of mom and baby during pregnancy. While the craving for ice cream may be indulged periodically, including well-balanced meals offers the best outcomes for unborn children throughout their lives.

The fetal origins or Barker’s hypothesis support the value of healthy nutrition and diet management during pregnancy. Giving children the best outcomes at birth and along their lifeline begins with the substances and nutrients which they are exposed to in utero. Disease prevention, life expectancy, psychological health and emotional stability reflect several areas where this prenatal period plays a significant role.