The first section of chapter three focuses on the stages of prenatal development. Prenatal development is divided into three stages: germinal, embryonic and fetal. It focused on the growth of the brain, neurogenesis and brain development. Santrock then discussed teratology which looks at the causes of congenital birth defects. He discussed both genetic and non-genetic causes such as prescription and illegal drugs, cigarette smoking, alcohol, disease, diet, environment and stress. There are also paternal factors that affect prenatal development such as metal, chemical or radiation exposure.
It also discussed types of prenatal care and normal prenatal development. Section II discusses the actual birth process. The first part being labor which lasts on average 6-12 hours, the second part being when the baby crowns and the actual delivery, and the third part is the delivery of the placenta. This section also discussed types of births and potential hazards to the newborn such as insufficient oxygen. Next it covers assessing the newborn using the Apgar scale or the NNNS for at risk infants.
Finally it talks about low birth weight babies and premies and ways to improve their success such as massage therapy and kangaroo care. The third section discusses changes that take place postpartum. The bodies physical recovery process takes about 6 weeks. Postpartum emotional changes occur as well due to hormonal fluxtuations and new parent stresses. Bonding is also discussed which involves the close connection that forms between parent and child. I thought the most interesting part of the chapter discussed was on fetal brain development.
I also thought it was interesting that the delivery of the placenta is its own stage in the birthing process. I was not really even aware that the placenta had to be ‘delivered’. It also brought a lot of awareness to the difficulties new parents face and I have a new found empathy for those who struggle with the physical and emotional changes that follow childbirth. This chapter had a lot of information about the birthing process and how involved it is and the information will definitely be helpful if I have a family in future.