Assignment - Prenatal Development

Overview

Nature vs. nurture is an important and controversial topic in human development. It is necessary to understand the key themes and the role it plays in real life. After considering the material from this module, think about prenatal development and environmental factors. Use the information you have learned from the module as you respond to the scenario.

Instructions

Consider the following scenario. use APA (7th ed.) formatting for references, where appropriate. Provide a response to all of the questions listed and include supporting evidence based on information from this module or other relevant sources.

Scenario

You are a nurse at an outpatient clinic. You overhear your teenage patient talking to her friend on the phone saying that prenatal care is a waste of time for a mother who is young and healthy.

Questions

1. What can you tell your patient about prenatal care in teenage mothers and about infant mortality in the United States? Your answer should include something about:

• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Spina bifida (folic acid)
• Which prenatal development stage do you think is the most sensitive time for gestation? What happens during that stage, and why is it important?
• What other behaviors of the mother may affect the health of a child before, or very early in, pregnancy? Include some of the following in your answer: exercise, diet, drug use, and smoking.