Pregnancy, Birth and the Newborn: Focus on Fasd
Running Head: FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER
Pregnancy, Birth and the Newborn: Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
SWHB 405: Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1
ABSTRACT
From conception to birth, the mother’s role in bringing to life and nurturing a healthy baby is paramount. Factors such as the mother’s biological, psychological and social environment play important roles in determining the wellbeing of a child. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, an irreversible condition in children caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy will be discussed. Its biological, psychological and societal implications will be deliberated and recommendations of interventions by Social Workers in alleviating the problem will be suggested.
Key words: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Child Development
Introduction
All human life begins with a fertilized egg known as a zygote. By the eighth week, the zygote is transformed into a fetus which has most of its organs formed. After about 9 months (or 38 weeks) of going through transformation within the mother’s womb, the mother delivers a bouncing baby boy or girl into the world. During this time it is imperative that special care and attention is given to the mother and the child that she is carrying. Prenatal care ensures that the mother receives the much needed medical attention, nutritional advice and a positive life style tips. Particular attention is given unusual physiological and medical manifestations which could signal an array of life threatening situations for the mother and unborn child.
The culmination of a successful pregnancy is the birth of a baby. Newborns weigh an average between 5.5 and 9.5 pounds and they are awake and alert in first hours of life. Newborns begin learning their environment immediately and one of the things they internalize is developing a connection with the mother’s voice. The six states that a baby maintains are: quiet alert,
Pregnancy, Birth and the Newborn: Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
SWHB 405: Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1
ABSTRACT
From conception to birth, the mother’s role in bringing to life and nurturing a healthy baby is paramount. Factors such as the mother’s biological, psychological and social environment play important roles in determining the wellbeing of a child. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, an irreversible condition in children caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy will be discussed. Its biological, psychological and societal implications will be deliberated and recommendations of interventions by Social Workers in alleviating the problem will be suggested.
Key words: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Child Development
Introduction
All human life begins with a fertilized egg known as a zygote. By the eighth week, the zygote is transformed into a fetus which has most of its organs formed. After about 9 months (or 38 weeks) of going through transformation within the mother’s womb, the mother delivers a bouncing baby boy or girl into the world. During this time it is imperative that special care and attention is given to the mother and the child that she is carrying. Prenatal care ensures that the mother receives the much needed medical attention, nutritional advice and a positive life style tips. Particular attention is given unusual physiological and medical manifestations which could signal an array of life threatening situations for the mother and unborn child.
The culmination of a successful pregnancy is the birth of a baby. Newborns weigh an average between 5.5 and 9.5 pounds and they are awake and alert in first hours of life. Newborns begin learning their environment immediately and one of the things they internalize is developing a connection with the mother’s voice. The six states that a baby maintains are: quiet alert,
Bibliography: CDC.Gov. (1983, January 13). Retrieved from Perspectives in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Public Awareness Week: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000257.htm Ashford, J Boyce, M. (2010, June). A Better Future for Baby: Stemming the tide of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Journal of Family Practice, 59(6). Fleisher, S. (2010, May). Foetal Alcohol Syndrome: Raising Awareness about Alcohol in Pregnancy. British Journal of Midwifery, 18(5). Shiel, W. C. (2010, December 21). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved from Medicinenet.com: http://www.medicinenet.com/fetal_alcohol_syndrome/article.htm Wacha, V., & Obrzut, J