How Prenatal Care and Early Childhood Experiences Impact Adolescence

Prenatal Care

1. Stress

Pregnancy is a delicate period that sets the stage for children's social and emotional development. Prenatal stress is very common, however, excessive stress and tension can elevate risks of socio-emotional challenges for children (Tung et. al. 2023). Research shows that excessive stress and mental strain strain during pregnancy increases the chances of aggressive and impulsive behavior in children (Tung et. al. 2023).

During this time, try to find some healthy stress relief such as going on walks, watching your favorite comfort show, listening to music, or talking to friends and family. While not everyone can afford to have a serene pregnancy free of physical labor and mental strain, there are ways to release the excess stress.

2. A Balanced Diet

A healthy pregnancy comes with many cravings, but sometimes we shouldn't give in to them. Consult your doctor and make sure you are receiving all the nutrients your body and the bay needs as these can vary depending on the stage of your pregnancy.

Staying away from harmful substances is essential for proper brain development and reducing the risks of developmental disabilities and disorders in your child. Consuming alcohol, smoking, substance abuse, or taking medication without consulting your doctor first can contribute to a child's emotional regulation and general development later in life (Lickliter, 2018).

3. Genetic and Environmental Factors

Lickliter explains in his research The influence of prenatal experience on behavioral and social development: The benefits and limitations of an animal model, the prenatal environment can trigger certain genetic manifestations. These have the potential to negatively impact children's mental and physical development posing issues later in life. Which can also contribute to emtional disregulation and a much more difficult adolescence.

However, there are certain development issues that are inherited from parents. We cannot always know until the baby is born and sometimes these developmental delays are not caught until early- middle childhood.

While we can't always control what our child is born with, we must do what we can to ensure they will have the best chance at a healthy and well supported development.

Early Childhood Experiences

1. Attachment

The attachments we form during our childhood have a huge impact in how we see our self and how we form and maintain relationships later on in our life. The Cleveland Clinic defines four main styles of attachment: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized. Confident people that find it easy to form and maintain relationships have a secure attachment style while those who worry a lot and fear being left behind have an anxious attachment style and need constant reassurance. On the other hand, those who tend to distance themselves from others and have difficulty trusting others have an avoidant attachment. Lastly, those who show a mix of attachment styles fall in the disorganized attachment.

These are shaped based on the amount of attention and care the child receives during childhood. The environment and other stress factors play a role in the development of these attachment styles. Which, has a great impact on the relationships we create, the people we interact with, and how we maintain those interactions.

2. Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Having negative experiences is an unavoidable part of life for everyone. However, trauma such as abuse, neglect, and lack of essential resources have a life-long effect during childhood. These not only affect attachment styles, but brain and emotional development, social skills and trigger mental health issues (Center on the Developing Child, 2007).

Some of us might not have the adequate environment or be in the ideal situation to provide children with the safe-space needed for their development. However, sheltering them from seeing or experiencing trauma is one of the best options. Whether it be by leaving under the care of a trusted friend or family member or by seeking help through governmental agencies. If we try hard enough, there is always a way to give children the best chance possible at a safe and healthy childhood.

By providing them with the most stability, nurturing, and support possible withing our reach we create healthy and resilient children. Positive experiences have a huge impact on a child's brain development and supports their emotional intelligence. This provides them with a strong foundation to create and maintain their own support network during adolescence and beyond.

A healthy pregnancy and childhood sets the stage for a bright future!

Refrences

Alberts, J. R. (2018)1. The influence of prenatal experience on behavioral and social development: The benefits and limitations of an animal model2. Development and Psychopathology, 30(3), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095457941800001X

Tung, I., Hipwell, A. E., Grosse, P., Battaglia, L., Cannova, E., English, G., Quick, A. D., Llamas, B., Taylor, M., & Foust, J. E. (2023). Prenatal stress and externalizing behaviors in childhood and adolescence: A systematic review and meta-analysis1. Psychological Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000407

 Center on the Developing Child (2007). The Impact of Early Adversity on Child Development (InBrief). Retrieved from www.developingchild.harvard.edu.

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Attachment theory and attachment styles. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/attachment-theory-and-attachment-styles