Uterine content and maternal behaviours

1. MATERNAL HABITS & FOETAL DEVELOPMENT

2. DRINKING*
 High Doses (as alcoholic =>8drinks/d)
 Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
 small head and malformations of the heart, limbs, joints, and face
 display excessive irritability, hyperactivity, seizures, and tremors
 smaller and lighter than normal
 3 in 1,000 score below average in intelligence (as adults)
 90% adjustment problems (adulthood)
 Low Doses (1-3 ounces/d)
 Fetal alcohol effects (FAE)
 minor physical abnormalities
 poor motor skills, difficulty paying attention
 subnormal intellectual performance, and verbal learning deficits
 No Safe Dosage (even <2drinks/w)

3. SMOKING*
 Associated with
 cleft lip
 abnormal lung function and hypertension
 miscarriage or death shortly after birth
 growth retardation and low birth weight
 ectopic pregnancies
 sudden infant death syndrome (stop breathing while sleeping)
 abnormal heart rate (affect ANS)
 smaller, susceptible to respiratory infections
 slightly poorer in cognitive performance
 attention deficit

4. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
 Effects
 regular exercise associated w/ greater placental size and birth
weight
 exercise is also exercise associated w/ smaller infants, more
dysfunctional labors, and more frequent upper respiratory
infections
 therefore, ACOG advises to exercise regularly unless (the table)
 supine exercises should be avoided, or any activities with high risk
for falling or abdominal trauma

5. DIET
 Recommended
 eating healthy, high-protein, high-calorie diets, following RDAs
(vitamin and mineral supplements)
 gaining weight (the table), on average 25 to 35 pounds
 taking folic acid of 0.4 mg/d
 27 mg/d of iron
 Or
 malnutrition disrupt formation of spinal cord, and miscarriages (in
the 1st trim.)
 malnutrition results in low birth weights with small heads (less
viable), and revealed fewer brain cells and lower brain weights
(in the 3rd trim. )
 malnutrition leads to cognitive deficits
 very high doses vitamin A can produce birth defects

6. STRESS
 Prolonged stress
 associated with stunted prenatal growth, premature
delivery, and low birth weight,
 highly active, irritable, and irregular in their feeding,
sleeping, and bowel habits
 ADHD, anxiety, and temper tantrums and aggressive
behaviors toward other children
 Temporary stressful episodes
 have few if any harmful consequences
 12-22 are sensitive gestational weeks

7. STRESS
 Pathophysiology
 the sensory experience the fetus has during a stressful event
 stress hormones imped blood flow (oxygen and nutrients) to the
foetus
 susceptibility to infectious diseases by suppression of immunity
 stressful mothers are more likely to eat poorly, smoke, or use alcohol
and drugs what promote the complications
 Exceptions
 managed stress can not produce complication
 counseling also reduces the impact
 moderate amount of stress may be necessary for healthy
development in utero