Factors and Hazards of Infant Development Essay

Two hazards I find important to avoid are alcohol consumption and addictive drugs. In this paper I will explain the importance of these three factors and hazards. The most important factor in an infant’s development is obtaining early prenatal care. Women should make an appointment as soon as she suspects she is pregnant (Marotz & Allen, 2012). It is not good to rely on home pregnancy tests because they are sometimes not accurate especially in the early days and weeks. A health care provider can determine if you’re pregnant or not on this visit. Also, on the visit any medical issues the mother has can be evaluated and treated (2012). As long as there is no issues mothers can be encouraged to do noncontact exercise. Exercise will help with weight gain, muscles, and believed the help with easier labor and delivery (2012). â€Å"A lack of prenatal care is often associated with an increased rate of medical complications, preterm births, low birth weight infants, fetal death, and disabilities† (p. 52). A very important hazard to avoid in infant development is alcohol consumption. This can have serious consequences for mother and fetus (Marotz & Allen, 2012). â€Å"Mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriages, still births, premature infants, and low-birth-weight infants. The incidence of fetal death is also significantly higher† (p. 58). According to Marots & Allen the mother and infant share a common circulatory system so they   3 both are affected by any alcohol that is consumed. The alcohol remains in the infants system longer than the mothers (2012). â€Å"Heavy or binge drinking is associated with a preventable condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes mental and growth retardation, behavior and learning problems, poor motor coordination, heart defects, characteristic facial deformities, and speech impairments† (p. 58-59). Another hazard to avoid is addictive drugs. Also chemicals have a major effect on development. Some of these include pesticides, fertilizers, prescriptions, nonprescription, and street drugs (Marotz & Allen, 2012). Some of the side effects of these drugs and chemicals are malformations, fetal death, premature birth, and lifelong behavior and learning disabilities (2012). â€Å"The nature and severity of an infant’s abnormalities seem to be influenced by the timing of exposure during fetal development, the amount and type of substance, the mother’s general state of health, and maternal and fetal genetics† (p. 60). Women should check with their health care provider before taking any prescription or nonprescription drugs to determine if it will be harmful for the infant. In infant development many factors and hazards are important. A woman must be very careful with everything she does. The three topics I discussed are very important to me. Seeking prenatal care will help in so many ways. The doctor can help to make sure you’re on the right track with development and also tell you what hazards to stay away from like alcohol consumption and addictive drugs and chemicals.