"Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development "



My cousin grew up in a violent home. Her father was an alcoholic and would cause harm to the family when under the influence. He was as nice and gentle as could be when he was not drinking heavily. When my cousin would visit me, she would always be afraid that her father would hurt her mother or brother.

My cousins and aunt coped with the violence in the home by talking to family members and utilizing the school counselors. There were several times when neighbors would step in and assist them. I can recall several occasions when they would try to cover up things that happened to them.

One sad afternoon, my  uncle had been drinking and came home to continue the unfortunate act. My auntie realized that she finally had ebough and wanted to make a change not only for her but for her children. While my uncle was at work, she attempted to leave. Guess what???????? He decided to go home for lunch to apologize and make up. My aunt was packing the car and saw him drive up. Luckily she had the car packed. He began to ask questions. She told him that she had enough and was leaving. He really did not like that answer. She ensured that the children were in the car and tried to back out of the garage. As she was backing out of the garage, he pulled out a gun and shot her in the head twice, killing her on the spot. That was a tragedy.

After researching Africa, I read that HIV/Aids impact the development of their young children. To minize the spread of Aids in Africa, they are encouraging more people to se condoms and prevention campaigns are being done. ne of the most important ways in which the situation in Africa can be improved is through increased funding for HIV/AIDS. More money would help to improve both prevention campaigns and the provision of treatment and care for those living with HIV

 In many African countries, sexual relationships are dominated by men, meaning that women cannot always practice safer sex even when they know the risks involved. Attempts are currently being made to develop a microbicide – a cream or gel that can be applied to the vagina, preventing HIV infection – which could be a significant breakthrough in protecting women against HIV.

Public Health Topic

"Breastfeeding" 

This topic is meaningful to me from several aspects. There are health benefits for both the infant and the mother. However, I become very concerned when I see women that breastfeed her baby and smoke and drink heavily. Before a mother breastfeeds her infant, she should not only be concerned of the benefits that it brings to her but also be concerned about the benefits that it brings to the baby. The first thing that I hear some young ladies s ay is that they want to get their pre-pregnancy weight back.

There are both benefits and side affects to breastfeeding for infants.You should avoid alcohol, especially in large amounts. An occasional small drink is ok, but avoid breastfeeding for two hours after the drink.

It is not safe for a mother to use or be dependent upon an illicit drug. Drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, heroine, and PCP harms the baby. Some reported side effects in babies include seizures, vomiting, poor feeding, and tremors.


To successfully feed an infant on non-human milk or formula, the following things are needed:

Clean water.
 Milk or formula.
Money to buy the milk or formula.
A way to safely store the milk or formula.
Containers for the milk or formula.
Effective cleaning methods for the containers.

Breastfeeding is really the only nutritionally adequate, safe food for infants in rural Africa, and to remove that is really hoisting an enormous burden onto families that are already really struggling.


In Africa, men often think women can't have sex if they're still nursing. So the husbands, of those  women are really encouraging them to stop breast-feeding.  This is yet another example of people putting themselves before their baby.

South Africa is one of only 12 countries in the world where infant mortality is rising. It also has one of the world’s lowest levels of exclusive breastfeeding: an estimated 8 percent, dropping to 1.5 percent for babies between four and six months old, government surveys have found. Children who are not breastfed are six times more likely to die from diarrhoea and have a higher chance of respiratory illnesses. South Africa's high teenage pregnancy rate meant teenage mothers often left their babies with their mothers and relied on formula feeding.

 

After researching this topic, I am aware of the situation that many mothers in the center I attend felt when they wanted to continue to have their baby drink breast milk after 12 months of age. We have a policy in the center that states that once the baby ages to 12 months he or she will start to receive whole. I feel as though I have a better understanding of the situation and do what it takes to advocated for the breastfeeding mothers. 

An exception to the policy is in the making.

Me, not breastfeeding explains the many ear infections my daughter had to deal with.  A lesson has been learned for the future. 

"Childbirth In My Life & Around the World"

On the afternoon of March 15, 2005, my mother, aunt, and grandmother went out to a nice restaurant to celebrate my grandmothers birthday. I was 9 months pregnant was ready to deliver at any minute. After having a nice lunch with the three ladies that meant the world to men, I went  back to my mothers have to ensure that all of my personal belongings  as well as my expecting baby things were ready to go. I had been given instructions from my doctor that if nothing happened after 5pm to check into the hospital to have an induction. That is what I did.

Before checking into the hospital, I went to visit my husbands grandmother who was on the hospital at the time. She and her husband both gave me a kiss and rubbed my bellying while saying to baby, "Grandma will see you soon". I will never forget that!

After leaving the room, I checked in and was rolled to the delivery room  by my mother where the nurse performed the induction. I laid there all night wishing that my husband could have been there to witness the birth of our first and only child. Around 8:00 pm, I began to have the worst pain that I ever had in my life. It only lasted for a minute or two. Around 8:45pm, the pain (contractions) were coming faster and lasting longer. My mother paged the nurse and she said that the doctor would come in to administer epidural if I wished. I could not wait until he arrived. As soon as he entered the door, I sat up in the bed and held my arm out. He said, "No honey; I have to give you this in the back." He explained that I had to be very still. At the time, I didn't care if he had said he had to give the epidural in the eye I was hurting so bad.

Instantly, the pain was over. I held my mothers' hand and told her thank you and that  love her. She was there for me the entire time. My husband had deployed the same month we found out that we were expecting a baby. I was sad but I knew that I had a support system that you help take care of me and the baby until he returned.

I fell asleep around 10:00 pm and woke up around 7:30 on March 16, 2006. The nurse came in to the room to check the cervix to see how far I had dilated. She said to my mother, "Are you ready to be a grandma ?" My mother was so excited and yelled yes! At approximately 8:10 am the nurse asked me to push. She ran out to get my doctor. On the second long push, I heard my daughters voice. I was in tears. It was both bitter and sweet for me. I was happy to be holding my baby but was sad that I had to do it all without the love of my life, my husband.

I chose this example because it is the most memorable event of my life. The entire pregnancy process can be both scary and exciting. I was do fortunate to have had the opportunity to have prenatal care and good doctors. The entire pregnancy process impacts child development. I was given all of the appropriate nutrition and health advice, the do's and don't plus more. Because I followed all of the safety precautions for my daughter and I , I was able to deliver a healthy baby girl who weighed 7pounds 9 ounces and 17 inches long.  I am not implying that all babies are born perfect if all of the safety precautions are followed. However, I am implying that it helps eliminate the misfortunes.

After research how births take place in Italy, I learned that both Italy and the United States have a lot in common. However, in the United States, I was not given the option to deliver in water. In Italy the parents will decide, in agreement with the gynaecologist, where they want the delivery to take place. The services offered by maternity hospitals vary and depend on the facilities available. These services include conventional (and sometimes water) delivery. Another difference is that maternity leave can be extended up to 11 months between the two parents, to be taken within the first eight years of the child's life. This indemnity also applies to parents adopting a child (for three months as from the date of adoption for children under six years) and also applies to the father. 

I have learned from this comparison that prenatal care is important all  over the world. In Italy, before the pregnancy, it is advisable for the father to have a general medical examination and run blood tests (not free of charge).