Expecting a Child

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Prenatal Development

The fertilization of an egg by a sperm is the start of pregnancy and conception. The first two weeks of cell division, which follow by fertilization, there is little differentiation between the kinds of cells produced. However, after that first two weeks the embryo starts to produce diverse cells and primitive structures that will become the main organs such as the heart, veins, brain, kidney, eyes, liver, and digestive tract. Even though the embryo is less than an inch long, it already develops into a recognizable human form.

By around the 16th weeks the embryo now resembles a human infant measuring about six or seven inches in length. During this period the fetus, as the embryo is now called, starts to move about within the uterus, and the mother can feel the movement.

Right through the rest of the pregnancy, the fetus develops by increasing in size and its complexity. While the basic human structure develops in the first few weeks, the inner organs now grow and setting up the functions once the organs are fully develop. In the third month of pregnancy, the fetus has primitive reflexes; by the end of the fifth month, it can make grasping gestures, blink, suck, and swallow.

If a fetus younger than 24 weeks, it is generally not capable to live; that is, the fetus at that stage of development is unlikely to survive outside the uterus despite the most sophisticated medical care.

It is unclear when the fetus becomes a psychologically functional being, there are many debates and yet there are no definitive answers. It is clear that the biological life starts at the moment of conception, but the quality of that life is open to debate. The question is the fragile, quickly growing group of cells a human being? Or is the fetus becomes human when it starts to move in the mother’s body? Or does the fetus become human when it has developed enough to survive outside of the uterus? Or is it only possible to talk about a human after the baby has been born?

These questions are not theoretical, because they are at the heart of the issues such as abortion, in utero surgery, stem cell research, genetic planning, amniocentesis, and the morality of using extraordinary life-saving measures.

Health of the mother

Clearly, it is less arguable is the impact of the fetal surroundings the developing infant. A large amount of evidence had proved the physical state of the mother throughout her pregnancy plays a vital responsibility in the well-being of the her infant.

It is true that mothers who are suffering from malnutrition, are probably to have babies who are smaller, often malformed, and more susceptible to illness than normal nourished infants. There is also proof with children suffering from malnutrition mothers are more prone to develop learning disabilities. This is a fact, even if a previously malnourished mother receives an adequate diet during pregnancy.

Excessive smoking or drinking alcohol is high risk for fetal development, as well as exposure to x-rays, narcotic addiction, and the use of many legal drugs. The safest way to avoid problems during the pregnancy period is to stay away from any drugs, even aspirin except purposely suggested by a physician for use during pregnancy.

Many infections can affect the fetus through the mother. The fetus is most at risk during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women who believe they may be pregnant or women who are pregnant need to avoid vaccine against viral diseases, such as rubella and measles, because the vaccine may cause birth defects.

As we understand more about the environmental factors that may lead to affect the fetus, we still know very little concerning how the mother’s emotional state affects the development of her unborn infant. Presently there are some proofs that indicate the severe anxiety, anger, or grief may be harmful.

Genetic factors

In the normal fetus, each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. One set of 23 comes from the father; the other set from the mother. These set of chromosomes hold the instruction that will makeup the baby’s genetic structures. For instance, chromosomes establish whether the fetus is male or female, the color of its eyes, hair, and all other physical and emotional conditions.

Abnormal condition in the chromosomes may affect the series of the genetic diseases. The most commonly known are Down’s syndrome (mongolism), cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy. In the past decades, a test known as amniocentesis, resolve whether some of these illnesses afflict an infant has been developed. This test involves in the removing some of the liquid nearby the fetus (amniotic fluid) from the mother, and then culturing the material in a laboratory. This test is normally used in mothers who are at high risk for Down’s syndrome. If the test indicates that the baby will be afflicted, the mother may opt for a therapeutic abortion.

Regardless of all of these possible genetic diseases, the big majority of infants are born healthy and able to cope with their new environment. Overall, nature takes very good care of the unborn child. The best suggestion for the expectant mother is to avoid known or potential risks to the baby and to put herself in the care of a qualified physician early in her pregnancy.

At birth

In the past years, the focus has been given to the birth of the infants. Possibly the most significant emphasis is making the delivery process as safe for both child and mother as much as possible. An additional concern is the training of expectant mothers, to let them know what to expect during labor and to teach them to cooperate throughout the labor and birth process.

In the 1940’s and ’50’s, most mothers were given a general anesthetic before the last stages of labor. They remembered nothing of the birth itself and awakened to their new baby. More recently, doctors have voiced several objections to the indiscriminate use of anesthetics. The most serious is the danger it poses for the baby. Any medication in the mother’s bloodstream before birth soon passes into the baby’s bloodstream as well. In some cases, the depressant effects of the anesthetic can cause a child to be born half unconscious and not able to breathe for itself. Heavy anesthesia also reduces the cooperation the mother can give in the birth process and may reduce the strength and effectiveness of the muscular contractions that push the baby out into the world.

In recent years, anesthesia has been used more sparingly (although it is still available and can be of great assistance in difficult cases). Many expectant mothers attend prenatal training classes in “natural childbirth.” They learn how to cooperate during the birth process and are thoroughly advised on the stages of labor. Many women trained in this way are able to give birth with little or no medication. The experience of being awake and alert at the moment of birth more than makes up for the exertion and pain of the delivery itself.

Still another recent concern has been the effect of birth on the child. If (as we now suspect) the unborn infant is conscious and has feelings, birth must be the first great shock of life. The difficulty of passing through the birth canal leaves many babies bruised and exhausted. In addition, they are leaving a snug, thoroughly controlled environment for the uncertainties of the outside world. We can only speculate on what effect noises, bright lights, and cold air have on the newborn.

Some physicians have suggested that delivery might better be accomplished without the bright lights of the conventional delivery room. Other practitioners advocate delivery at home rather than in a hospital in cases where a normal delivery is expected. There are hazards to home deliveries—if a medical crisis develops, help is not close at hand. But it is true that a normal delivery can be accomplished at home if preparations have been made beforehand.

One ingredient of many natural childbirth programs has been the participation of the father. Rather than waiting nervously and helplessly in a hospital waiting room, he has been encouraged to learn about the process of childbirth and to be present at the delivery, both to help his wife and to share the excitement of the birth of their daughter or son.

Some doctors and hospitals are more sympathetic to natural childbirth than others. Parents who wish to use such methods should inquire well before the delivery date about training sessions and about hospital policies. They should also remain flexible; if there are complications during labor, natural childbirth may not be possible. The physician may prescribe anesthesia in such cases or may decide on delivery by Caesarean section. When complications arise, modern medical facilities and procedures are most welcome to protect the health of both child and mother. Parents should not feel they have failed in any way if such procedures are necessary.

The moment of birth seems one of great importance to expectant parents and is often the goal toward which they have aimed for weeks or months. Yet the moment of birth is much more a beginning than an ending, as all new parents soon discover.