From Conception To Birth Analysis

Birth, the magical moment in which a new life enters the world and a woman finally becomes a mother. The process from conception to birth truly is miraculous, and despite all the scientists that have brought numerous theories and explanations, mothers are the sole people on earth who can truly give insight on what it’s like to give birth to a human being. Throughout the conducted interview, the three phases which consist of the pregnancy, the labour, and ultimately the newborn/infancy phase were all covered by the interviewee. Gizelda Veloza, my mother, and the participant who was involved, contributed not only concrete facts and information about her pregnancy, but also shared her own personal mental state throughout the nine-month process,
or in her case, seven months and a half.
The pregnancy phase, which consists of the discovery, the initial reactions, the common advice that is given to soon-to-be mothers, and various other aspects, are all crucial properties when it comes to giving birth to a child.
Regarding the age of the mother, it is said that the safest time to bear a child is between the ages of 16 to 35. When or if a woman decides to get pregnant outside of the ideal age bracket, whether it be at a younger or older age,
there are various risk factors that can impact not only the mother’s life, but the life of her baby. For instance, when bearing a child bellow the age of 15, the risk of infant mortality, which means the death of a child under the age of a year, increases by a substantial amount. However, if a woman decides to delay child bearing until after the age of 35, it is indicated that a higher risk of miscarriage would be present, and the possibility of their child possessing chromosomal abnormalities would also increase. (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.134) When referring to the interview conducted, it is concluded that Gizelda, being 28 years old at the time of her pregnancy, would in fact be considered at an ideal age for bearing a child. Upon discovery, the interviewee was 2 months along into her pregnancy, which is when the embryo drastically changes appearance, and becomes much more human-like. At 40 days, a primitive tail is seen, which later becomes what is known as the coccyx. Also at this time, the embryo’s sexual development begins to form. If the embryo is male, the Y chromosome triggers a biochemical reaction that will allow the fetus to develop testes, whereas, if the embryo is in fact female, ovaries will instead be produced. (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.116) It is stated that many pregnancies are in fact unplanned and unintended, which may affect the baby based on the emotional state of the mother, (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.134), Gizelda, however, had planned her pregnancy which consequentially caused her to experience emotions along the lines of joy and happiness. It is a known fact that the substances in which a mother consumes can have life altering effects on her baby. In fact, these harmful agents are referred to as teratogens. An instance of one of these detrimental substances is in fact Alcohol, which if consumed, can lead to fetal disorders under the widely used name of fetal alcohol spectrum (FASD) The recognizable, common characteristics of babies who possess these disorders are microcephaly, malformations of various body parts, and likeliness to display seizures and tremors. (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.125) When referring to Gizelda’s case, she stated in the interview that her doctor informed her during an appointment, that consuming alcohol may affect her baby with the numerous disorders such as FASD, which lead her to the easy decision to not take a single sip of an alcoholic beverage during her pregnancy. In regards to cigarettes, it is proven that mothers who smoke are introducing nicotine and carbon dioxide into her bloodstream, which will then inevitably lead to the fetus’s. This can lead to an impairment in the functioning of the placenta, especially regarding the exchange of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.127) The interviewee, Gizelda, stated that her doctor also advised her of the harms of smoking, but, fortunately, she had never smoked a day in her life and stated that she would’ve never smoked during her pregnancy regardless. A mother’s diet and weight are key factors when it comes to the health of their baby. Doctor’s typically advise pregnant women that a total gain amount of 11 to 14 kg is sufficient enough to help ensure healthy prenatal development. In regards to their diets specifically, women are advised to eat meals that consist of high-protein and high-calorie foods. (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.133) In the interview conducted, Gizelda was also informed to maintain a diet full of nutrients and that a weight gain of around 12kg should be expected.
Second in this relatively long yet beautiful experience, the labour phase, which to some mothers is arguably the worst phase of them all, consisting of the pain that is so commonly talked about, and the stage that is one step closer to finally meeting your baby.
As the interview progressed, and the labour process became the subject of discussion, when asked where her birth took place, Gizelda stated that her pregnancy occurred at a hospital. Her reasoning behind this controversial decision was, she believed at a hospital, her baby and herself would truly be in the best hands and care. However, when referring to the facts, home births are statistically proven by many industrialized countries to be just as safe as hospital deliveries, if the mother is healthy, the pregnancy has gone smoothly, and that there is a midwife present. (Shaffer, D., Kipp, K., Willoghby, T., & Wood, E. (2013), Developmental Psychology, p.145) Although the typical pregnancy lasts thirty-seven to forty-two weeks, Gizelda’s baby decided to make an appearance five weeks early, labelling her child as premature. Preterm infants, which are babies born more than 3 weeks before their normal due date, are at a much greater risk than average term babies. Although they are typically small in size, their body weights are often appropriate
when