The Importance Of Prenatal Development

The prenatal stage, the time frame from conception to birth, is the most important stage of development because this stage sets the foundation for a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby and ultimately a healthy life. The prenatal stage is the first stage of life and it is also where the most important developments occur. It is during this time that all the functions of the body begin to form. Functions such as the heart, heartbeat, lungs, organs, legs, arms, whether the toes and fingers form, all the internal systems, brain health and so much more are dependent on the quality of prenatal care. Prenatal or antenatal development is the process in which a human embryo and later fetus develops during pregnancy, from fertilization until birth. During

The most common diseases during this period are AIDS, Herpes, rubella, and a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These diseases are due to the lifestyle and care, prenatal care the mother receives. Also, some diseases are due to the use of drugs. For example, the use of substances by the mother can have overwhelming effects to the fetus, effects that can be detrimental to the baby. Smoking is linked to low birth weight, which can also result in a weakened immune system, poor respiration, and neural impairment. Alcohol use can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, which is linked to heart problems, body malformations, and mental retardation. Secondly, there are many maternal diseases that can negatively impact the fetus, including herpes, rubella, and AIDS. For example, Herpes virus is one of the most common maternal disease and can be transmitted to the fetus, leading to deafness, brain swelling, or mental retardation. Lastly, the female should be very careful with what she eats, extremely careful with which drugs are ingested, she should always be aware of her environment so that the fetus will not be infected with any maternal diseases. These affect the child’s overall health and wellbeing whether it’s good or bad, that alone is why the prenatal stage is the most important

For example, Autism. Autism is a developmental disability that affects the normal development of the brain in the areas of social skills and learning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010, autism is the most common of prenatal disorders. As of 2010, according to The National Institute of Mental Health, the U.S has a percentage of 13.6 when it comes to mental and behavioral disorders. Also, there are Brain Malformations, also known as, Cephalic disorders. Most brain malformations begin in the prenatal period of development. Something damages the developing nervous system or causes it to develop abnormally. At times it's a genetic problem. In other cases, exposure to certain medicines, infections, or radiation during pregnancy interferes with brain development. Parts of the brain may be missing, abnormally small or large, or not fully developed. These disorders affect the child’s learning ability and overall intelligence