prenatal stimulation and early learning
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Pregnancy and Prenatal Stimulation Video
Make Way for Baby! is a video program that will take you step by step through every stage of your pregnancy.
For each trimester, you will learn:
- How a fetus develops
- What can you do to interact with your child as much as possible using prenatal stimulation techniques.
- Exercises to maintain a good physical condition during pregnancy.
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Both English and Spanish versions available.
First Trimester of pregnancy
Fetal Development
The story of your baby's life begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg. Within half an hour, the fertilized egg begins dividing at a furious rate while traveling down the fallopian tube to the uterus. The bundle of cells then implants itself into the wall of the uterus, where it will continue to develop and grow.
At three weeks, the bundle of cells can now be called an "embryo," and the tiny heart begins to beat.
By the end of the fourth week, we can now easily make out the head, which has a rudimentary brain inside, as well as the buds that will become arms and legs
At the beginning of the second month, we can already observe signs of the eyes, nose and ears. The embryo can move her head, body and limbs slowly when stimulated. Her communication with the external world has begun. She can also respond to tactile stimulation as her coordination improves.
Development between third and eighth weeks is highly important since the outlines of all internal and external structures are developed.
As we go into the third month, her heart is beating more strongly. Her face is broad, her eyes quite separated, and she can now experience smell.
She begins to change her facial expression
Although she is already moving, her movements are still imperceptible to the mother.
Stimulation Exercises
Remember that she can now experience many sensations and is now able to begin communicating with you. She has immense potential waiting to be stimulated and developed.
At this moment you can begin your relaxation and visualization exercises.
Childbirth Education
Begin an exercise routine as soon as you can so your muscles can gradually acquire the flexibility necessary for the childbirth. For this first trimester we suggest begin practicing the "deep breathing" technique, your chest muscles and the muscles of your perineum.
As always, consult your physician before starting on any exercise program.
Second Trimester of pregnancy
Fetal Development
The head is developing more actively than the rest of the body: the eyes, mouth, nose, and ears are almost completely formed, creating a well-defined face. Her eyes are already sensible to light. She has acquired new abilities, like the capacity to react to music and to loud noises.
By fifth month, your baby exercises her senses of touch and movement. By now, she moves her arms and legs strongly enough to be perceived by mom. Her fingers have become more agile and move freely. As her ability to perceive through her skin sharpens, the fetus explores its aquatic universe, developing coordination and strength.
After the fifth month, something extraordinary occurs: she can actually begin to hear! She hears the sounds coming from your body: your voice, and the voices of other people who are speaking close. She can also hear environmental sounds. Rhythmic music calms her and strident sounds excite her.
She hears and learns. Memory and the ability to react to stimuli are already present.
Stimulation Exercises
Some stimulation exercises will allow her to:
Childbirth Education
Doing prenatal calisthenics is very effective for increasing the flexibility of the muscles that will be used during labor. These exercises may also alleviate or even help you avoid some of the most common discomforts associated with pregnancy, such as backaches, circulatory problems, varicose veins and cramps.
Third Trimester of pregnancy
Fetal Development
By the 7th month, the nervous system has matured to the point that it controls respiratory functions and body temperature, the lungs would be capable of breathing if she were to be born at this point. Her movements are more organized, and her muscles stronger. During this month, she begins to show signs of personality and intentional behavior. Not only does she move to the rhythm of music, but she also prefers some types of music to others.
By the end of this month, she can see! She reacts to changes in lighting and can follow a flashing light.
In the eighth month, the nervous system is fully formed and ready to operate through a complex mass of neurons. The signals they emit turn into messages, ideas, decisions, memory.
During the 9th month, she will continue growing and developing until birth.Many internal physiological transformations are occurring, preparing her for her transition to the world outside the womb.
Stimulation Exercises
The group of stimulation exercises we suggest for the final trimester will:
These exercises will stimulate the baby's intelligence and socialization skills, enhancing her ability to communicate and express affection. Babies stimulated in this way are very alert, attentive, relaxed, smiling and friendly.
Childbirth Education
Continue with your routine of strengthening and conditioning exercises that you began during the previous trimesters. During the final trimester, we suggest also start practicing antalgic, or comfort, positions for labor that will alleviate the pain and the sensation of pressure in your lower abdomen and hips caused by contractions. For the next three months, explore various positions and find the ones that work for you.
Remember
Research in prenatal stimulation show that stimulated babies tend to exhibit accelerated visual, linguistic, and motor development. Although most of the attention has focused on results showing significantly higher intelligence and creativity in stimulated infants, it is important to emphasize the benefits of prenatal stimulation for building healthy and loving parent-child relationships.
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This page last updated March, 2000
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