Week 3- Pregnancy, Birth, & Infancy Oh My!-AKEL

Chapter 3 Pregnancy & Prenatal Development

As we wrap up with chapter 2 and learn the different kinds of theories of development by different theorists, we are introduced to the beginning. Beginning of life. How amazing is it that we are basically made into a zygote; the result of a cell when an egg is fertilized with a sperm. We also learn the structure of a cell  that comes in 23 pairs-46 total. One single damage to the DNA can cause a disorder/condition. For instance, an extra copy of chromosome 21 (makes a total of 47 chromosomes) can cause Down Syndrome. Aside from chromosome disorders, there are genetic disorders (such as Sickle Cell Anemia (blood disorder found mainly in African descent), or Tay Sachs (caused by a recessive gene, found in Jews of European origin). 

Reading on made me feel a bit nostalgic. Remembering the good old times when I was pregnant with my first and only child. The germinal period is the time when the fertilized egg passes through the fallopian tube. Whereas the embryonic period is a time of rapid development. Fetal period is a time of preparation for life outside the womb. There are always other options if one cannot carry her own child on her own due to some kind of difficulty such as In Vitro fertilization, Intrauterine insemination, Gamete intrafallopian transfer, and more. Even if any of those are not an option, one can always adopt. We are also warned about any kind of harm a mother or child can endure during pregnancy, and to be careful and stay away from whatever we are able to stay away from (drugs, alcohol, etc..). 

Chapter 4 Birth and the Newborn Child 

(Hope this part doesn't gross anyone out, as its a natural and beautiful process a woman experiences-she probably wont think its beautiful at the time, but you get my drift)

This is when things get a bit serious. The birth process. Many women experience false labor pain (as I had experienced) which is called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Once the mucus plug followed by your water breaking (amniotic fluid) makes its way out, you know its time to get in that car and head out to the hospital. Ladies, or gentleman (whose partner is pregnant), a few squats can help speeding up that process. Trust me. Labor hours vary from woman to woman but the average time is 5 to 6 hours. But not if you're Ruba. You'll sit for 18 hours and then be rushed for an emergency C-section. How fun! But yes, that is one of the methods of childbirth. Natural child birth, home delivery, and cesarean section.

Infants display their capability through their sensory abilities and reflexes. Infants' assessment focuses on neurological functioning and other behaviors to increase information about the neonates capabilities. Families should try to adjust to the birth of a new child at their earliest conveniences as some women will experience postpartum depression. It takes a heavy toll on a person, physically & mentally. Brook Shields is an example of a woman who experienced post partum depression, and is raising awareness about postpartum experiences. 

Chapter 5 Infancy

Lets be honest, infants are underestimated for their abilities. We may not notice this because they are so dependent on their caregivers/mothers. They are capable of so much, even when they are one month old they can pick up that head of theirs. In order to achieve a great physical development in infancy, good nutrition is required. Here comes the great debate about what is better for the baby. Breast milk, or formula. On page 104 in our LifeSmart text book, it states that breast fed infants are less likely to get sick as often as a formula fed baby. Lies lies all lies. Adam, my 5 year old nephew was breast fed for 2 years and is ALWAYS sick. Compared to my 3 year old, who was only breast fed for a month (as badly as I wanted to keep on going, I had to stop for various reasons), who isn't as bad, just the usual ear infection when she was teething, or cold and flu in the winter. But everyone has their own preference on feeding their infant and moms shouldn't bottle shame other mothers. Yes folks, people out there have time on their hands to shame other mothers for using formula.

There are various techniques that are used for researchers to draw conclusions on the human brain, especially infant brains. Those techniques are: CT scans, PET scan, MRI, EEG, and electroencephalogram.

Piaget's theory was perfectly introduced in this chapter as we talk about cognitive development. As page 102 states, "Piaget believed that the first few years of life are marked by extraordinary mental growth and influence the entire course of development". Piaget proposed a theory of development as a sequence of distinct stages, each of which entails important changes in the way a child thinks, feels and behaves. Piaget's sensorimotor period consists of 6  stages:

Stage 1: Simple reflexes
Stage 2:  (1-4 months) stage of primary circular reactions; infants actions that are focused on their own bodies and refluxes.
Stage 3: Secondary circular reactions (4-8 months)-Piaget's term for infants activities that are directed toward objects and events outside themselves.
Stage 4: coordination of secondary schemes-Piaget's term for when infants combine secondary schemes to obtain a goal
Stage 5: Tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months): Piaget's term for repetition with variation; infant is exploring the worlds possibilities
Stage 6: Internalization of schemes: Children's use of symbols to think about real events without actually experiencing them

Biopsychosocial model of development is evident as various phases of development converge in a child's use of language such as motor, language, and cognitive development.

I have noticed I became a bit open with myself on this particular blog, and apologize if I have offended anyone.