Prenatal Environmental Factors
You are working in a group home setting with 17-year-old Nora, from a lower socioeconomic status (SES), who is pregnant for the first time. She mentions to you that a few cigarettes here and there and an occasional glass of wine won't harm the baby. She shares that her mother smoked and drank while pregnant with her, and she said, "Look, I turned out fine." Utilizing the text and course lectures, provide Nora with some research-based reasons for not smoking or drinking during pregnancy
- As a mental health clinician working in a group home, how might you respond to Nora's comments? What resources might you offer that may help educate her about prenatal development?
- Discuss some prenatal environmental factors (teratogens) that can compromise later academic performance and social adjustment.
- From your personal perspective, how great is the need for prenatal education in your community? Search online for prenatal education programs available in your community.