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Alcohol can appear to be socially acceptable, however during pregnancy the impact on the foetus (your baby) can have huge affects on your little one. Physical deformities, low birth weight due to alcohol foetal syndrome. Your baby could suffer mental retardation.

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Stress can have a negative impact on the development of a foetus and how environmental conditions can impact a baby in the prenatal stages.

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I feel that that the pre-natal dangers (Teratogens) are now socially well known - in the context of my family and friends. So, knowing what I know now, I'd be encouraging more detailed understanding of the growth stages and how environmental conditions impact during each of these.

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Important information to have regarding pre-natal development

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Important information to have regarding pre-natal development

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That stress can be as damaging to a foetus as alcohol and drugs in contributing to long term health and well-being of human.

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That FAS is a real thing and that any amount of alcohol while pregnant can have an effect.

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That FAS is a real thing and that any amount of alcohol while pregnant can have an effect.

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The environment plays a huge role in pre-natal development, especially those controlled by the mother such as alcohol consumption, smoking and very commonly stress. These can all have such huge developmental effects and complications for the unborn child.
- Claire Patterson

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Stress is something to be avoided. There's a lot of pressure on mum's especially first time mums, to eat and drink the right things, exercise, attending various appointments. But the stress of all this in itself is a contributing health factor on the child's development. Health factors such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity and psychiatric disorders
-Domenique Dillon

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I want to stress about keeping a healthy outside environment for correct Pre-natal development. 

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I want to stress about keeping a healthy outside environment for correct Pre-natal development. 

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Things to be avoided are stressers, areas where there is smoking as  pollutants such as radiation.
all these things affect the babies development, these could cause adverse affects in not only physical development but in mental pathways.

-Sarah Garton Haworth

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I feel that the dangers of drinking and smoking whilst pregnant are rather well known issues, but the issues arising from increased stress on the fetus is also extremely important and this is what I would share with my family and friends.
Exposure to increased stress in the womb can enhance a child's likelihood of suffering diseases such as obesity and hypertension.
S. Turner

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Whilst I know many others have covered these factors I just want to briefly highlight them also as they are very important.
Prenatal environment is very important and any teratogens (substances that can be passed through the placenta to the foetus) can affect the babies growth. Making some lifestyle changes can be highly important to not only the mothers health but also to the unborn baby such as smoking, drugs, alcohol, stress and certain foods such as deli meats and some processed foods such as soft serve ice cream can affect the foetuses growth while in the womb.
Katie-lee Berryman

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An important factor to note with pre-natal development is that stimuli, such as sound, can influence or predispose a baby to a certain acceptance of that sound once they are born. For example, exposing a foetus to sounds such as passing trains, traffic or alarms, may condition the baby to be able to sleep through this noise if it is a recurring sound at the home.

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I would emphasize the importance of avoiding Teratogens like smoking, alcohol and high stress while pregnant.

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Something I would want to share with new parents is that babies have those reflexes, I think it could make difficult parenting moments, like feeding easier.

I would also want to share with them that it is all well and good to not drink or smoke for the pregnancy but it is just as important to look after mental health because stress can be such a large factor. Especially if they child they are caring is a kicker.

I also think it would be important to share with my friends and family that their unborn baby can hear them, they have already started listening and voices are starting to be recognised! I think this is important because it is cool, It is a good way to comfort a foetus but also just a cool thing to know.

-Moll Degner

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When speaking with family and friends, I remind them that social pass-times like drinking and smoking, whilst dangerous for the developing child, are not illegal and that a conscious choice needs to be made in the best interests of both child and mother.  I also encourage the expectant mums to think about introducing a structured routine into their own day (wake, meal, rest & bed times) to give bub every chance of developing a routine after birth.  Stressed out mum = Stressed out bub.

Julia Papasidero

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I would want my family friends to know that enviromental impacts, such as stress, have just as much influence on feotal development. It could result in low birth weight and restless babies as the feutus can detect when the mother is highly stressed.

Babies are developing preferences in the womb and alcohol, while can cause birth defects, can also form a preference to alcohol that is exploited later in life, notably the teenage years.

-Shaileigh Foster

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Most future parents would be aware of the risk of some teratogens such as alcohol use, smoking and radiation, but many would not be aware of the impact that stress can have on a foetus. I found it interesting that stress can cause more restless babies. It can also impact on the birth weight.

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Hi everyone,
Thanks to those who have posted already. It is great to see you all critically thinking about the influence of teratogens.
A quick summary of some points listed so far:
- Stress
- The broader environment (e.g., healthy lifestyle, mother's voice)
- Specific infections (e.g., toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus)
- Unhealthy behaviours (e.g., smoking, drinking alcohol)
Have a read through each other's posts before posting your own and try to come up with some other factors that are important to know about pre-natal development. Also, feel free to compare and contrast your responses with those of your peers!
Kind regards,
John (Teaching Team)

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Stress affects foetal development: when our brain is under stress, it secretes hormones which can encourage early delivery. This is important to know because many mothers today will continue to work up until their due date, or a month or so before. This does not mean that pregnant mothers should not work, but I believe that we should encourage self-care to pregnant, working women and flexible working arrangements to workplaces.

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The environment in the womb has a great effect on the development of a foetus. Some toxins can pass through the placenta and have devastating effects on the foetus. Stress can also affect the birth weight of a baby and contribute to restlessness after birth. An expecting mother should actively seek pre-natal health information from her doctor so she can provide the best foetal environment possible for her baby.

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i think the most important thing to share is the focus and attention needed while pregnant. your baby can hear you, everything you do while pregnant from eating to the environment you are in effects your baby. i would emphasise how important the time is while your pregnant, by being healthy and relaxed you can give your baby a healthy start. also highlighting just how quickly the baby and the brain develop in the womb, these are crucial times, pay attention to your foetus and it's needs. no smoking, no drinking, do everything you can to help the baby.

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Pre Natal Development and what you need to know

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Pre Natal Development and what you need to know

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Important things to learn are that unborn babies are affected by environment and what you put inside your body. An unborn baby needs to hear his or her mother's voice and be in a non stressful environment. We need to remember that the brain is developing in the womb at a rapid rate. Environment can affect thisThe mother must not intake harmful substances that can cause significant birth defects including alcohol and smoking.

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Cytomegalovirus or CMV can have devastating effects on an unborn baby. I always make sure my friends and family are aware of it, because it is not widely known, can be easily passed to a foetus and can cause serious birth defects. I was unfortunate enough to contract this Teratogen during my pregnancy
with my second child and he was born with microcephaly, epilepsy and many more disabilities. It is a virus that attacks cells and as a foetus is millions of cells duplicating over and over again it causes massive amounts of damage to the unborn child.

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Your unborn baby can hear you so talking to your baby before they are born can help you connect with them, and help them calm and connect with you after they're born.

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Whilst many people know the effects that the most common Teratogens can have on pregnant women and their foetuses, many are not aware of Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted through eating or handling raw meats, seafoods, unwashed fruit and vegetables, unpasteurized milk, untreated water, and contact with cat feces. Toxoplasmosis is associated with foetal death and in infants certain types of neurological and neurocognitive defects. Some evidence suggests the bacteria responsible, Toxoplasma Gondii may be linked to schizophrenia.

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Stress has been linked to
lower birth rates and more restless babies. Baby can detect when the mother is stressed from 5-7 months of pregnancy.

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Mother's are encouraged to avoid Teratogens in pregnancy. These are drugs or viruses that can slip by the placenta and may be harmful to a foetus. E.g. alcohol and smoking.