Pre-birth:

This section will help describe many check points for the baby as it is growing and developing in the womb. We will be looking over cognitive, physical and social emotional. There will be tips and tricks on how to ensure your baby is developing healthy. 

Cognitive: 

A large portion of your baby’s intelligence is being built while they are still a fetus.  This stage of your baby’s life is very critical because this is where the foundations of their intelligence and personality are being formed.  Fetal brain development has long lasting effect on your baby’s personality
How to ensure your optimal development: 

Proper nutrition: The lack of calcium,  iron,  iodine and other vitamins lead to baby’s learning disabilities, delay in language development, behavioral problems, delayed motor skill development, and a lower I.Q. The baby needs iodine to make thyroid hormone, which is essential for brain development. Iron is needed to make red blood cells that transport oxygen to the baby, affecting the baby’s brain and body growth.

Folic acid deficiency – This leads to the baby’s neural tube being unable to close properly.  This leads to severe malformations of the brain and spinal cord.  Folic acid is found in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, beans, citrus fruits and liver.

Also: no drinking, smoking, prescription drugs and try to lower stress levels

Physical:

An overview of the babies development, once the egg is federalized by the sperm:

-Zygote: month 1

• Heart begins to beat
• Small bumps begin to show arms and legs 
• Internal organs and circulatory system begins to form

How to ensure this is developing: 

• regular doctor of midwife checkups 
• no alcohol or drugs; this can cause developmental problems  
• lower heavy lifting 

-Embryo: month 2

• major organs developing
• Placenta development 
• Face and limbs take place

How to ensure this is developing:

• Eating healthy
• Regular checkups 

-Fetus: month 3-9

• baby fully develops and are active 
• boy or girl
• can hiccup, hear and see
• ll for senses 
• Fetus should turn head down for delivery 

How to ensure this is developing

• You can sing to your baby, it can hear everything you say
• If you shine a flashlight against your belly, the baby can see it
• Feel for kicking 
• Regular checkup
• Proper healthy eating 
• No drinking, smoking or prescription drugs 

Gaining Weight:

Not only is your baby growing, but your body is also developing extra body tissue. This includes larger breasts and uterus – the placenta, and extra blood and fluid. It is normal and healthy to gain extra weight

Healthy Eating:
It is important to keep a healthy diet during pregnancy. Nutritious foods are great for baby growth and development. Fruits and vegetables are great during pregnancy. Protein is also great for baby development. This chart below explains the important foods women should be eating. 




Healthy pregnancy foods: 

Fitness:
It is also important to exercise during pregnancy. This can help with the strength you will need for the birthing process. It will also keep the baby healthy. Moderate exercise is all that is needed, this includes walking, prenatal yoga or swimming. 


Prenatal Yoga:

Social Emotional:

Many doctors believe that the emotional development of a child begins in the womb. As the baby develops in the womb during pregnancy, the baby is able to better recognize voices and sounds outside the mother's body. These sounds, voices, and moods (if she is happy or stressed or upset) can help mold the child's emotional state. Yoga and meditation are a great way to distress as well as connect with the baby.

- Starts to hear and feel emotions around 6 months of pregnancy
- Can respond to sounds or voices by kicking
- Start to differentiate between voices they hear
- Can feel moms moods and stress levels


Overall how to ensure proper development:
It is important to be aware of your lifestyle while being pregnant. Anything can effect the babies development. It is important to not consume any alcohol drugs or cigarettes (this can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and/or development problems) Healthy eating will help ensure proper development, as well as FOLIC ACID! Regular moderate exercise can help prepare for the birthing process and help make a connection with the baby.