It is a mutual decision between a man and a woman that determines the health of the unborn child. Pregnancy is often an exciting time for expectant parents. More importantly, the expectant mother should take her condition seriously. The development and health of the fetus is ultimately the responsibility of the mother. In the following essay, I will examine the impact that nutrition, use of alcohol/drugs and physical activity may have on the development of the unborn baby.
Nutrition is important for the well being of the mother and the child. The effects that are involved with poor nutrition can be crucial to the outcome of the baby’s birth. Malnutrition may be caused by the mother’s diet or vitamin deficiency. Lack of supplements your body require, can have detrimental effects on the baby. An example of this would be calcium intake during pregnancy. Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth. A calcium deficiency could affect the child’s weight or size. There is also a higher risk of miscarriages, stillborns and diseases. Children born to malnourished mothers have an increases chance of develop a proper outcome for the baby. Malnourished mother, who give birth prematurely, can cause deficiencies for the baby, which could last a lifetime. In underdeveloped countries, the children born to malnourished mothers often have birth defects or die. Research indicates that, “fetus malnutrition cases occur in low-income families” (Zenkind, and Ramsey, 1981). Many families struggle to put food on the table. It must therefore be a priority for expectant parent, especially mothers, which she eats in the best interests of her unborn child.
The use of smoking while pregnant causes many effects to the unborn child. Each time a mother smokes it affects the fetus’s heart, which can cause it to have irregular heartbeats per second. Mothers who smoke have a higher risk of giving birth to children who are born prematurely or are still born. Research indicates that “The more cigarettes a mother smokes during pregnancy per day, the smaller the newborn will be” (Richard Naeye, 1981). The placenta is also affected by smoking. The placenta is the site of an exchange between the blood of a mother and the fetus, which is also known as the lifeline of the unborn. Smoking constricts the blood vessels in the uterus, reducing this flow to the placenta. Also the amount of oxygen and nutrients supplied to the fetus. An example of this is smoking leads to reduced birth weight and possible fetus is reduced. The potential harm smoking has during smoking is quite damaging to the fetus.
A pregnant mother who consumes alcohol during her pregnancy can affect the fetus in many unhealthy ways. The first trimester of the pregnancy is the most crucial stage of development for the fetus. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause abnormalities to the brain development of the unborn child. This type of abnormality is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), which are both identifiable in the medical field. FAS is easily identified by the facial characteristics, such as a small facial structure, a farther gap between the eyes or a noticeable wide space between the eyelids. Whereas, the FAE is identified by their behaviors that consist of a very minimal attention span, increased hyperactivity and a slow mental process of basic learning skills. Also, there is a link to the social behavior of the child in every development stage. In any case the expectant mother is given medical advice from their doctor not to consume any alcoholic beverages throughout her pregnancy.
Another source of information given to an expectant mother is the abstinence of drug use during her pregnancy. The use of drugs at any time during pregnancy can be very harmful to the fetus. Studies have shown that any drug used by the pregnant mother is also passed through the placenta to the unborn child. However, when a doctor prescribes medication to an expectant mother it is prescribed with much caution making sure that the fetus will not be harmed. In any event no medication should be taken without consulting the doctor first. No over the counter medications including painkillers, cough and allergy medications should be taken unless approved by a doctor.
It is the responsibility of the mother to maintain a level of physical activity during her pregnancy. An expectant mother is encouraged by the doctor to have some form of exercise throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Many doctors recommend moderate, three times a week walking as a form of exercise. However, if a woman has been physically active before her pregnancy she is advised to continue on her same routine but with less stretches involved. A mother that has exercised throughout her pregnancy has fewer chances of difficulties during delivery than that of one who hasn’t exercised at all. Many mothers are encouraged not to remain in a lazy state during their pregnancy if they can help it. The benefits of being active during pregnancy are rewarding.
In conclusion, pregnancy is an important and exciting time for prospective parents. For the duration of the pregnancy it is the responsibility of the mother to live a healthy lifestyle in the best interests of her baby. There are no guarantees that a child will be 100% healthy if the mother maintains good nutrition, does not use alcohol or drugs and is physically active. If the mother takes good care of herself during pregnancy, there is a greater chance that the baby will have a healthier start in life.

Bibliography
1. Zenkind, and Ramsey, 1981 pg. 109, Craig Grace J. Human Development, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.1992
2. Richard Naeye, 1981 pg. 110, Craig, Grace J. Human Development, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 1992

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