ABSTRACT

This chapter outlines physical growth and development during the neonate period. From a health and psychological perspective, the optimum recommended time to begin planning for an infant is up to six months prior to conception. During pregnancy, the advice and support of health professionals is aimed at outlining optimum health for both infant and parent. The conception and pregnancy experience are influenced by expectations the parents learned through their own upbringing. The information a parent receives will include details of the growth during the gestational period: Maternal age, weight, height, BMI, smoker. Oxytocin is considered the hormone of ‘love and bonding’ and pregnant women who had higher levels of oxytocin during pregnancy showed higher levels of bonding behaviour with their infant after birth. Research has suggested the optimum age for child bearing is early twenties and pregnant women over thirty-five can have potentially increased complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage even if prenatal care is good.