PSY FPX 6025 Assessment 1 Prenatal and Neonatal Quick Reference

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 6025 Child Psychology

Prof. Name

Date

Prenatal and Neonatal Quick Reference

Adolescent Childbearing

In 2012, more than 86,000 adolescents aged 15 to 17 experienced childbirth, with over a quarter of teenage girls becoming mothers before completing high school. Alarmingly, close to 1,700 teenagers in this age group give birth every week, highlighting the widespread occurrence of adolescent pregnancy. Additionally, only 27% of teens aged 15 to 17 report abstaining from sexual activity (National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2019).

Optimal Approaches for Healthy Pregnancy

Ensuring a healthy pregnancy significantly enhances the likelihood of a successful birth. Early and consistent prenatal care is vital for promoting a healthy pregnancy, ideally beginning even before conception through pre-pregnancy consultations with healthcare professionals. Furthermore, maintaining adequate nutrition, achieving healthy weight gain, and supplementing with essential vitamins are crucial practices to support the well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus (American Psychology Association, 2020).

Facilitating Lung Development

Fetal lung development progresses through several critical stages, commencing from the pseudoglandular stage around 5 to 17 weeks of gestation and advancing through subsequent phases until the final stage, which typically begins around the 36th week of pregnancy. Significantly, the last month of gestation plays a pivotal role in lung maturation, underscoring the importance of allowing babies to reach full term whenever feasible to mitigate the risks associated with premature birth (Chisholm, 2021).

Exercise for Fetal Pulmonary Health

Recent findings presented at the 2021 European Respiratory Society International Congress suggest that maternal physical activity during pregnancy may enhance fetal lung health, potentially reducing the risk of respiratory conditions such as asthma later in life. This study builds upon previous research linking decreased lung function in infancy to an increased susceptibility to respiratory disorders (Ooko, 2021).

Influence of Environmental Factors

Environmental influences, including maternal exposure to pollutants, air fresheners, and specific cleaning agents, can significantly impact fetal development. Additionally, factors such as the quality of water used for bathing and the risk of infectious diseases like avian flu and salmonella can affect fetal growth and development, emphasizing the significance of maternal lifestyle choices (Ooko, 2021).

PSY FPX 6025 Assessment 1 Prenatal and Neonatal Quick Reference

Father’s Contribution to Prenatal Bonding

The process of father-child attachment initiates during pregnancy, with interactions such as the father’s voice and sensing the baby’s movements fostering early bonding. This attachment strengthens following the baby’s birth, as fathers actively participate in caregiving, contributing to the child’s emotional development and self-assurance (Biller, 1976).

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Biller, H. (1976). The role of the father in child development. New York: M.E. Lamb (Ed.).

Chisholm, A. (2021, October 20). When are babies’ lungs fully developed. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com

National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2019, December 19). Preventing Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved from CDC Division Of Reproductive Health: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/young-teen-pregnancy/index.html

PSY FPX 6025 Assessment 1 Prenatal and Neonatal Quick Reference

Ooko, S. (2021, September 22). Pregnancy exercise for healthy lungs of baby. Retrieved from https://www.businessdailyafrica.com