Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

- Medicinal Drugs: o A variety of drugs can be detrimental to a fetus, including prescription drugs. o Nonprescription drugs can cause birth defects. Such medications can include antacids, aspirin, and diet pills. o Consumption of any non-vital medication is highly discouraged during pregnancy. - Psychoactive Drugs: o Alcohol, cocaine, cigarettes, heroin, LSD, methadone, and marijuana are a few psychoactive drugs which can retard the growth of a fetus. o The fetus can become addicted to drugs and may go through withdrawal after birth. - Low Birth Weight (LBW): o As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), low birth weight is when an infant weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth. o Causes for LBW include: preterm birth, drug use, stress, exhaustion, and a variety of infections. o LBW children are more likely to have infections and are susceptible to anoxia. Childbirth and Bonding: The process of childbirth is personal and varies with every person and pregnancy. There are a variety of methods for labor and delivery. Natural childbirth has become a more accepted birthing method. The Lamaze method is training for both parents to help educate them on how to prepare physically and mentally for childbirth. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, the fetus prepares for birth by turning the head towards the cervix. During the first stage of labor, the cervix dilates to ten centimeters. After the first stage of labor, the baby’s head moves through the vagina with the face turned up and the body emerges during the second stage of labor.  Three or more alcoholic drinks per day can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation in infants. Children with FAS often have slowed growth, learning disabilities, and social anxieties.

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