Brain

Development in
Fetal Life
Farhana Khatani
 Target Population
Community:
*Couple planning to conceive
*Couples who just conceive
*Couples in which mother is having
Antenatal period
Literacy status:
*Know to read and write
Socio-Economic Status:
*Mediocre
 Goal
Parents who are aware about the
cause
and effects of stress during
pregnancy
 Rationale
We are conducting this workshop
because stress during pregnancy
could result to poor brain
development in fetus and also it
has a major impact on the
development of overall personality
of the child.
 Agenda
The agenda of the workshop is as
follows:
 Importance of brain development in fetal
life
 Brain storming activity in group to identify
the pre-hand knowledge in group on stress
 Causes of maternal stress during
pregnancy
 Sign and symptoms of maternal stress
 Effects of maternal stress on baby
development
 effective strategies to reduce stress
 Importance of psychological support
Schedule
A one day program of 6 hours
0900-1000 introduction of session
1000-1030 tea break
1045-1230 stress and its effects
1230-1330 lunch break
1330-1500 strategies to relieve
stress
 Objectives
By the end of the workshop, the learners
will be able to:
 Identify the factors influencing the fetus
brain development
Learn the components in the
environment affecting a mother during
pregnancy
Identify the sign and symptoms of stress
on the mother
 Explain the impact of stress during
pregnancy on fetus development
Practice the positive ways to get control
over maternal stress (Strategies)
Practice Antenatal Exercises and
Fetal Brain
Development
Brain Development
 Factors Affecting
pregnancy
Stress
Brain Storming Activity
Identify the concept of stress by:
•Group discussion
• Draw chart
 Stress
Stress is the body’s reaction to a
change that requires a physical,
mental or emotional adjustments or
response
( Angela Morrow,
2009)
 Causes
Physical
Environmental/ Social
Psychological/Emotio
nal
Norms and believes
 Sign and symptoms of
stress on mother

Raised heart beat

• High blood pressure

Agitation
(loss of temper, irritation)

Sleeplessness

Headache
Low diet intake

Acidity

Nausea vomiting
Effects of Maternal Stress
on child development
during pregnancy
Pre-mature Babies
Cleft Palate/ Cleft Lips
Spinal Bifida
Down Syndrome
Heart Deformity
Slower Brain
Development
Slower cognitive
abilities
 Strategies to reduce
Sharing theStress
concerns and
feelings

Mind diversion activities

( music, exercise, watching TV)
Meditation/yoga

Massage

Writing diaries/
drawings
Eat a healthy diet

Go for some outing/ try to be in

touched with nature
Psychological support
from partner
Emotional support from partner
Caring, supportive and loving
behavior
Identify concerns and feelings
from wife
Understand the changes in
behaviors (due to hormonal
changes)
Provide comfort able, safe
environmental and facilities
Antenatal
Exercises
Massage Therapy
 References
http://www.myhealth.gov.my/myhealt

http://dying.about.com/od/glossary/g/