Parenting - Chapter 4

The Developing Baby

Introduction
● During pregnancy, a single cell grows and develops into a human being capable of life
outside the mother’s body
● This incredible process takes only about nine months
● Different development milestones are signs that changes and development are taking
place

Conception
● About once every 28 days, an ovum - an egg cell - is released by one of the women’s
ovaries
● This occurs as a part of woman’s menstrual cycle and is called ovulation
● At the same time, a woman's body releases hormones that prepares the uterus - the organ
in a woman's body on which a baby develops during pregnancy- in the event that the
ovum is fertilized
● During ovulation, the inner lining of the uterus grows and thickens
● If the ovum is not fertilized, the lining break down and passes out of the body in the form
of bleeding that a woman experiences as a menstrual cycle
● When an ovum is released from the ovary, it moves through the fallopian tube - the tube
that connects the ovary to the uterus
● The journey from the ovary to the uterus takes about two to three days
● The ovum usually disintegrates when it reaches the uterus and leaves the body with the
menstrual flow.
● When a sperm - a male cell required for reproduction - reaches the fallopian tube, it may
penetrate the ovum which is process called conception and a pregnancy begins at that
time
● An ovum usually lives 12 to 24 hours while a sperm is capable of fertilizing an ovum
approximately 48 to 72 hours
● Therefore, during a woman’s menstrual cycle, there are approximately four to five days
during which intercourse could lead to conception

Prenatal Development
● Prenatal development is the baby’s development during a pregnancy
● Prenatal development can be grouped into three stages:
- The germinal stage
- The embryonic stage
- The fetal stage
The Germinal Stage
● Germinal stage is the first stage in a baby’s development.
● Includes formation of the zygote - fertilized egg
● The developing baby is referred to as the zygote
● This stage lasts about two weeks, but includes the key steps in establishing pregnancy.
- Cell division:
~ While the zygote is still in the fallopian tube, it begins to grow by cell division: the single cell
splits into two cells, then the two cells rapidly multiply to four, then to eight, and so on.
● After about 4-5 days of growth and slow movement, the zygote reaches the opening to
the uterus.
● Implantation: The lining of the uterus has thickening enough to provide a place for the
zygote to attach itself and continue to grow.
● After 2 weeks of rapid growth, the zygote is only the size of the head of a pin.

The Embryonic Stage

● This is the second stage of pregnancy.
● The developing baby is called the embryo from about the third week of pregnancy
through to the eight week.
● First, the embryo grows quickly, developing organs and body systems.
● About 27 days after conception, a tube (neural tube) at the back of the developing baby
that will become the brain and the spinal cord, closes off and begins to take control of
various body systems
● About the sixth week after conception, connections between the brain and the spine allow
for the first movements of the embryo.
● The developing brain is sensitive to damage from any drugs or alcohol the mother may
consume therefore it is vital that a pregnant woman avoid these substances throughout
her pregnancy.
● Second, the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid forms around the embryo and
protects the developing baby from any bumps or falls the mother may have.
● The embryo is only 2.5 cm long and floats freely in the amniotic fluid.
● Third, a tissue called placenta forms that is rich in blood vessels and attached to the wall
of the uterus.
● The mothers bloodstream carries food and oxygen to the placenta and it absorbs oxygen
and nourishment from the mothers blood to be transmitted to the baby through the
umbilical cord.
● The umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta, takes carbon dioxide and other
waste products away from the baby to the placenta which releases those wastes into the
mother’s bloodstream.
 ● The umbilical cord is usually stiff and firm like a garden hose, generally not flexible
enough to loop around the fetus although this may occur in rare cases.
● The placenta and umbilical cord provide everything a baby needs until birth.

The Fetal Stage

● The third stage of development is the longest beginning around the eight or ninth week of
pregnancy and lasting until birth.
● During this stage the developing baby is referred to as the fetus.
● Buds for all 20 “baby” teeth appear, the vocal cord develops, the kidneys and digestive
system begin to function.
● Spontaneous movements are possible by the end of the third month.
● During the fourth or fifth month, kicks and other movements of the fetus touch the wall
of the uterus.
● The movements begin infrequent and are faint feeling like the fluttering of a butterfly.
● Over time, these sensations become strong and more frequent, letting the mother know
she is, indeed, carrying a live child within her.
● The doctor will ask the pregnant woman when she first felt these movements because the
doctor can estimate the baby’s age and make sure the baby is developing normally.
● By the seventh month, the baby is capable of living outside the uterus, but without a great
deal of medical help.
● The body’s major organs become ready to function without any help from the mother’s
body.
● The fetus gains weight rapidly and these fat deposits will help the baby body heat after
delivery.
● The fetus can suck its thumb, cough, sneeze, yawn, kick, hiccup, and cry.
● The fetus continues to grow and so does the surrounding amniotic fluid.
● The uterus expands causing the mother’s abdomen to grow.
● The fetus no longer has room to stretch out so it curls up inside the uterus in what is
called the fetal position.

Preparing For Birth

● The length of most pregnancies is approximately 40 weeks or 280 days from the first day
of the last menstrual cycle.
● At this time, the fetus is fully developed and can survive outside the mother’s body
without a great deal of medical assistance.

Physical Changes For Mother

● At the end of the 40 weeks, the baby’s weight shifts downwards which provides relief in
the upper abdomen.
 ● This shift is called lightning indicating that the baby has dropped into the birth canal,
the channel through which the baby passes during birth.
● The fetus is usually upside down with the head nestled in the mother’s pelvis, the safest
position for birth because the baby’s head is the largest part of the body.
● If the head can be expelled from the mothers body easily, the rest of the body usually
delivers easily.
● The baby is usually less active because there is very little space to move.
● If the fetus is in a bum-down or fett-down position in the mother’s pelvis, this is referred
to as breech presentation.
○ Breech presentation usually requires the baby to be delivered using a surgical
procedure called cesarean section to deliver
● The muscles of the uterus and abdomen are stretched too many times their original size,
but return to near normal size approximately six weeks after delivery.

The Genetic Package

Heredity
● Heredity is defined as the passing on of biological characteristics from earlier
generations.
● Many of your physical traits are inherited from your biological parents i.e. blood type,
eye colour and shape, hair texture and colour, skin colour, the size and shape of your ears,
etc.
● Parents can also pass on to their children a predisposition for certain talents i.e. musical
and/or athletic ability.
● Some medical conditions can be inherited as well.

At Conception
● At the moment of conception, every human baby receives 46 chromosomes - tiny
thread-like structures in the nucleus of every cell.
● Chromosomes come in 23 pairs - 23 from the father’s sperm; 23 from the mother’s ovum.
● Each chromosome has hundreds to thousands of genes - the units that determine a
human's inherited characteristics.
● Genome is defined as the complete blueprint for the creation of a person.
● Genes are made of a complex molecule called DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid.
● A human’s 46 chromosomes form that person's unique DNA.
● No two people, except for identical twins, have the same DNA.

Dominant and Recessive Genes

● For every inherited characteristic, a person receives two copies of genes - one from each
parent.
● When both genes are the same, the child automatically has that characteristic.
 ● In many instances, two different genes are received from parents.
● The factor that determines what characteristic is expressed is controlled by dominant and
recessive genes.
● Dominant gene: in a gene pair, this is the stronger gene and is the one more likely to
be expressed as a physical trait.
● Recessive gene: in a gene pair, this is the weaker gene and the one less likely to be
expressed in a person's physical traits. A person must inherit two recessive genes
(one from each parent) for the same recessive trait in order for it to be expressed.
● Most traits are influenced by multiple genes
● Height, weight, personality, and intelligence are examples of these.

Making a Unique Person

● Heredity is why people in the same family resemble each other and why people in the
same family can look quite different.
● The sex of a baby is determined at conception.
● The sex chromosome comes in two types, X and Y.
● Each ovum in the mother’s ovaries carries an X chromosome while each sperm in the
father carries either an X or Y chromosome.
● XX-girl, XY-boy,
● If the sperm that fertilizes the ovum carries an X chromosome, the child receives an X
chromosome from each parent, XX, the combination for a girl.
● If the sperm carries a Y chromosome, the child receives an X chromosome from the
mother and a Y chromosome from the father, XY, the combination for a boy.

Multiple Births
● ​Multiple births - when a woman gives birth to more than one child.
● The most common multiple birth form is twins.
● Identical twins - when one fertilized ovum divides into two separate cell masses and
continues to divide, grow into two separate embryos.
● Because only one ovum and sperm were involved in conception, identical twins have
very similar characteristics and are always the same sex.
● Fraternal twins - forms when two eggs are released from the ovaries at the same time
and are fertilized by two different sperm.
● Because of the different eggs and sperm, fraternal twins may not look any more alike
than other siblings do.
● It is common for fraternal twins to be of the opposite sex.
● The birth of three or more babies is more rare.
● A rise in the use of fertility treatments has increased the frequency of multiple births.
Family Planning
Introduction
● Anytime a couple has sexual intercourse, a conception may take place.
● There are various methods of contraception which help prevent pregnancy.
● Most of these methods do not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and secually
transmitted diseases (STD’s)
● Most family planning methods have possible side effects that develop among some, but
not all users.

Condom
● Cheapest and easiest method of contraception.
● Made of latex or plastic (incase of latex allergies).
● Mainly used by men but also have a female version.
● Protective, physical barrier to prevent transfer of fluids (ie, semen).
● Very effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (including HIV).
● Best used in combination with other methods (i.e birth control, spermicide).
● Its use is not sanctioned by the catholic church.
● 86%-94% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Birth Control (aka oral contraceptives)

● Hormonal pills taken daily to thee rhythm of female menstrual cycle (artificially made
hormones)
● Prevent pregnancy by preventing ovaries from releasing an egg each month
● Effective when used correctly and taken on time (when you miss a pill you increase
chances of becoming pregnant)
● Does NOT protect STI’s.
● Relieves period cramps, improves acne, prevents ovarian cancer.
● May forget to take it, weight gain, extended use could increase risks of breast cancer
● Its use is not sanctioned by the Catholic Church
● 95%-98% effective in preventing pregnancy

Spermicide
● Chemical substance that stops sperm from moving (cannot travel up to fertilize the egg in
the fallopian tube).
● Foam, gel, cream.
● Does NOT protect against STI’s.
● Often combined with other methods.
● Can cause allergic reactions.
● Its use is not sanctioned by the catholic church. 1
● 72% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Diaphragm
● Shallow silicone cup inserted into the vagina to cover the entrance to cervix and must be
worn for at least six hours after sexual intercourse (can cause discomfort for the first
few times using it).
● Used with spermicide
● Can be washed and reused.
● Does noy protect against STI’s.
● Increases risk of urinary tract infection.
- Can trap moisture and bacteria in your vagina.
● Lasts up to 2 years.
● Need a prescription up to $75.
● Its use is not sanctioned by the Catholic Church.
● 80%-94% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

● T-shaped device that is inserted in uterus by doctor.
● Changes the lining of uterus and prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg
● Lasts 5-12 years
● Does not prevent against STI’s
● Cons:
1. Irregular or heavier periods, cramping, back ache for the first 3-6 months.
2. Could possibly slip out,
3. Could develop bacterial infection.
4. Need a prescription up to $1000.
● Its use is not sanctioned by the Catholic Church.
● 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Natural Family Planning

● Learning the menstrual cycle of a woman and abstaining from sex during the time periods
and when a female is more fertile when you are ovulating (like birth control pills, it
relies on women's menstrual cycle).
● Approved by the Church and is a more natural form of birth control.
● 53% -80%effective in preventing pregnancy.
● There are classes and books on this.

Abstinence
● Not engaging in sexual intercourse.
● Approved by the Church and more natural form of birth control.
● Prevents against STI’s.
● 100% effective in avoiding pregnancy
Infertility
What is Infertility?
● The inability to become pregnant in either the male or female.
● One third of the cases of infertility can be attributed to male factors.
● One third of the cases of infertility can be attributed to female factors.
● One-third of the cases of infertility can be attributed to a combination of male and female
factors.

Options for Infertile Couples

1. Fertility medications
- Hormones injected or taken orally by females to trigger ovulation.
- Side effects: nausea, bloating, headaches, blurred vision, hot flashes.
- Approved by the Catholic Church.
2. Adoption
- Taking on legal rights and responsibilities for raising and caring for a child.
- Approved by the Catholic Church.
3. Artificial Insemination
- Injecting sperm into a woman's uterus during ovulation.
- Can be from a husband or sperm donor.
- Not approved by the Catholic Church.
4. In Vitro Fertilization
- Doctor combines a mature ovum (egg) from the woman and sperm from the husband to
fertilize, then places zygote (fertilized egg) into the woman's uterus.
- When ovum cannot pass through to the uterus (i.e. damaged fallopian tubes).
- Not approved by the Catholic Church.
5. Ovum Transfer
- Same as in vitro except ovum is donated by another woman.
- The ovum is fertilized in a lab and then placed in the mother’s uterus.
- It is an option for women who lack working ovaries, have poor ovum quality, or who
have inherited disorders.
- Not approved by the Catholic Church.
6. Surrogacy
- Mothers ovum and father’s sperm are fertilized in the laboratory and placed in the uterus
of another woman.
- Legal arrangements need to be made.
- When the mother’s uterus cannot carry a child or there are other medical complications
involved that can endanger the mother or child.
- Not approved by the Catholic Church.
Problems in Prenatal Development: Losing a Baby and Birth Defects - Causes and Types
Losing a Baby
● Sometimes a pregnancy begins, but the baby doesn't develop normally.
● Miscarriage - if a pregnancy ends and the fetus dies prior to the 20th week of pregnancy.
● Stillbirth - if the pregnancy ends and the fetus dies after the 20th week of pregnancy.
● Approximately 15%-20% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage.
● Stillbirth occurs in about 2% of pregnancies.
● Most common causes of stillbirth are problems with the placenta, abnormal
chromosomes, poor growth, and infections.

Types of Birth Defects

Facts:
● According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
- Congenital anomalies (also referred as birth defects) can contribute to long-term
disability, which may have significant impacts on individuals, families, health-care
systems, and societies.
- An estimated 295 000 newborns die during the first 28 days of life every year from
congenital anomalies.

Birth Defects Come in a Wide Variety

● Structural - i.e. Misshapen foot or an extra or missing finger.
● Functionals - i.e. Blindness, deafness.
● Later onset - i.e. The abnormality is not discovered until months, or even years after.

Four Causes of Defects

1. Hereditary Factors
2. Errors in Genes or Chromosomes
3. Environmental factors
4. Interaction of Genetics and Environmental Factors

1. Hereditary
● Everyone inherits their genes from their biological mother and father.
● For every gene you get two variations (alleles) - 1 from mother 1 from father.
● Alleles can be dominant or recessive.
● Each child inherits 5-6 imperfect recessive genes.
- Recessive inheritance: when both parents pass on the same imperfect recessive gene,
causing the baby to have a birth defect.
- Dominant inheritance: when at least one parent passes on an imperfect dominant gene,
causing the baby to have a birth defect.
 2. Errors in Genes or Chromosomes
● Not inherited.
● Extra chromosomes, too few chromosomes, broken chromosomes, rearranged
chromosomes.
● Caused by problems in development of sperm and egg.

3. Environmental Factors
● Early stages of pregnancy are critical to the healthy development of a child.
● External factors can affect a child positively or negatively.
● Factors that can have negative impacts (leading to birth defects):
○ Mothers diet
○ Diseases or infections of the mother
○ Harmful substances (medication, drugs, alcohol, etc.)
○ Exposure to hazards (chemicals, radiation)

4. Interaction of Genetics and Environmental Factors

● A genetic disorder or predisposition that remains undetected until triggered by an external
factor.

Birth Defect Examples

● Down Syndrome:
- Symptoms: mental deficiency, heart problems, digestive problems, poor muscle tone.
- Cause: extra chromosome 21 (trisomy 21).
- Detection: amniocentesis, chorionic villi sampling, blood test (of child).
- Treatment: therapy, special educational assistance, corrective surgery for heart.

● Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

- Cluster of birth defects.
- Symptoms: microcephaly, thin upper lip, low IQ, poor reaction time, poor sucking
reflex, ADHD, heart problems, cleft lip/palate.
- Cause: prenatal alcohol exposure which can prevent enough nutrition and oxygen to
reach the fetus.
- Detection: physical examination of the child for symptoms. Some symptoms may
develop later on in childhood.
- Treatment: antidepressants, stimulants (Ritalin), behavioural training, special education
assistance.
 ● Cleft Lip/Palate
- Symptoms: gap in upper lip or palate (roof of mouth) - causes problems with eating,
speech, appearance.
- Cause: can be caused by hereditary factors, environmental factors, or both.
- Detection: ultrasound and physically visible at birth.
- Treatment: surgical procedure.

● Cystic Fibrosis
- Many die before they reach adulthood.
- Symptoms: respiratory and digestive issues - thick mucus, wheezing/shortness of breath,
bowel disturbances, salty sweat.
- Cause: inheriting defective recessive genes from both parents; more frequent in
Caucasians.
- Detection: blood/genetic tests of parents (predictive), sweat tests of the child.
- Treatment: special diet, lung exercises, therapies, medications.

● Huntington Disease
- Degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.
- Symptoms usually have later onset.
- Symptoms: depression, anxiety, impaired vision, impaired memory, physical
deterioration, involuntary movements.
- Cause: Inheriting one defective dominant gene from a parent.
- Detection: review of family history, genetic testing, neurological (brain scans) and
psychological tests.
- Treatment: medications, therapy.

Prevention and Diagnosis of Birth Defects

Genetic Counselling
● Doctor or genetic counsellor assesses a couple's risks of having a child (first or
subsequent) with a birth defect.
● Check family history (use of family trees/pedigree).
● Physical examination, blood tests, tissue samples of the both prospective parents.
● Genetic testing (ex. BRCA1 gene).
Explains what options they have from their results
● Whether or not they want to have kids.
● What prenatal testing they will need to do when pregnant.

Prenatal Testing
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test
● APF = fetal liver protein that is detachable in mother’s blood.
 ● Blood tests done on mother when 15-20 weeks pregnant.
● If levels are abnormal, this may be because of a birth defect and further testing is done to
determine exactly why.

Ultrasound
● Uses sound waves to create an image of the baby in the womb (sonogram).
● 3D ultrasounds.
● No harm to mother or child.
● Typically done 20 weeks into pregnancy.
● Monitor development, determine age and sex, and detect birth defects (physically
visible).

Amniocentesis
● Between 15-18 weeks of pregnancy.
● Doctor uses a needle to sample amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac surrounding the baby
(provides fluids, nutrients and cushion for the baby).
● Amniotic fluid also contains cells from the fetus.
● Genetic testing for birth defects.
● Poses some risk for miscarriage (<1%).
● Standard test for women over 35 (to test for Down Syndrome).
● Follow-up after AFP test results.

Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS)

● Between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.
● Sample of placental tissue that is snipped or suctioned off.
● Genetic testing for birth effects.
● Poses some risk for miscarriage, uterine infection of mother, and arm/leg abnormalities of
child.
● Used for the same reasons as amniocentesis but is used less often because of its higher
risks.

Laparoscopy
● Laparoscopy: a surgical procedure that inserts a thin, rigid tube through the abdomen to
shine light and magnify.
- Can be used to look at the baby and determine whether birth defects are visible.
- Fetal blood and tissue samples.
Avoiding Dangers to the Baby
Introduction
● From the beginning to the end of her pregnancy, the mother to be has an enormous
responsibility
● She needs to consider the effects of her actions on her unborn child.
● An essential part of good prenatal care is avoiding hazards such as alcohol and other
drugs, smoking, x-rays, hazardous chemicals, and other substances, and infections.

Alcohol and Pregnancy

● Alcohol is a drug - especially dangerous for the unborn child.
● Alcohol is passed directly to her child through the placenta.
● There is no known safe amount of alcohol that a pregnant woman can drink so no alcohol
should be consumed when trying to become pregnant or throughout pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

● Is an incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consume alcohol during
pregnancy
● Includes a wide range of physical and mental disabilities that lasts a lifetime.
● 1 in 5 babies born with FAS does not live to see their first birthday.
● Facial deformity, delayed physical growth, heart defects, hyperactivity.
● Learning problems, mental disability.
● Brain tissue injured by alcohol.
● Poor coordination, difficulty controlling behaviour..

Fetal Alcohol Effects

● Less severe than FAS.
● Directly related to the amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy.
● Extent of damage is related to the amount of alcohol consumed and the stage of
pregnancy.
● Combination of alcohol with other drugs also affects the degree of damage.

Other Drugs
● Drugs consumed during pregnancy are among the major causes of birth defects:
● Other substances include:
○ Prescribed and over-the-counter drugs
○ Caffeine
○ Nicotine
○ Illegal drugs
○ Inhalants
Prescription and Over-the-Counter-Drugs
● Contact the doctor if using any over-the-counter drugs and medication.
● I.e. thalidomide was prescribed in the 1950s to relieve morning sickness.
● Server birth defects such as missing or deformed arms and legs.
● Prescription medicine for acne proved harmful for this unborn child.
● First three months of pregnancy are most critical.
● Body systems are being formed including the brain.
● Chemicals found in medications can cause severe harm to the body such as intellectual
disabilities.
● At four to nine months, harmful substances may cause slow growth, infections, or
bleeding at birth.
● Doctors may prescribe necessary medication for epilepsy, high blood pressure.

Caffeine
● Found in beverages such as coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, foods and some
over-the-counter medication.
● Some do not consider it a drug, although it may in fact a risk to the unborn child
● Small amounts of caffeine such as two cups of coffee or caffeinated drinks do not pose
great risks.
● Doctors advise women to avoid caffeine during pregnancy
● Consuming large amounts of caffeine may pose the following risks to the unborn baby:
- Low birth weight (5 pounds and 8 ounces or 2.5 kg).
- Serious health problems as a newborn and in the long term.
- Increased risk of miscarriages.
- Higher risk of infant death.

Tobacco
● Nicotine found in tobacco is harmful to the health of any person.
○ Harmful to baby development before birth
○ Causes low birth weight
○ Premature birth
○ Respiratory infections and allergies
○ Second hand smoke has similar effects

Illegals Drugs
● Can have devastating effects for an unborn baby.
● A mother who is addicted to a drug usually passes the addiction on to her baby.
● All drugs pass through the placenta directly to the baby
● Infants must go through painful periods of withdrawal as the baby no longer receives the
drug.
 ● Long-term effects of prenatal addiction can be severe.
● Children will have a multitude of learning and behavioural difficulties.

Cocaine
● Increases the risk of miscarriage.
● May cause stillbirth or premature birth.
● Causes a fetus to have stroke resulting in brain damage, a heart attack, serious birth
defects, low birth rate, or die.
● Risk of seizure or SIDS- sudden infant death syndrome.
● Tremors, exaggerated startle response, irritability, sleep and feeding difficulties, and
developmental delay that persist into school years.

Ecstasy
● Congenital heart disease or physical abnormality.

X-Rays
Radio from x-rays can cause birth defects.
● Dental x-rays are generally considered safe because they are focused very far away from
the uterus.

Hazardous Substances and Chemicals

● A pregnant woman must be careful about hazardous substances in her home and work
environment.
Some include:
- Paint, pesticides, lead, carbon monoxide, mercury
- Solvent, paint thinners, and formaldehyde
● A mother should take extra precaution to minimize her exposure to any of these
substances.

Infections
A pregnant mother may get an infection during the course of her pregnancy.
● Some infections can be treated without any harm to the unborn baby if they are caught
early and treated properly.
● Other infections have much more serious and damaging consequences.

Rubella
● Can cause severe birth defects especially in the first three months of pregnancy.
● Can cause blindness, deafness, heart disease and intellectual disabilities.
Toxoplasmosis If an expectant
● An infection caused by a common parasite that is found all over the world.
○ Quite common
○ Can cause blindness, hearing loss, and learning disabilities
○ Can be severe that baby dies shortly after birth or has long term disabilities
○ Can cause stillbirth or miscarriage

Chicken Pox
● A viral infection that commonly occurs in childhood.
● If an expectant mother gets chicken pox during the first half of her pregnancy, the baby is
at a slight risk of getting a condition called congenital varicella syndrome.
● Can cause scarring of the skin, limb defects, eye problems, and other serious
abnormalities.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

● Syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, genital herpes, acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS) and chlamydia can be passed on from the pregnant woman to the unborn child
in the same way that the child receives nutrients from the mother.
● Can cause serious illness, physical disabilities or death.
● The eyes of newborns are treated with a solution that will kill any gonorrhea germs that
can cause blindness.

AIDS
● Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
● Can attack the brain.
● Infected babies often have seizures and intellectual disabilities.
● The mother can take medication that reduces the chance that the baby will be infected
with the virus.
● Most babies exposed to AIDS and STD’s are delivered by cesarean section to avoid
exposure to the disease in the birth canal.