This week's chapters: 3, 4, & 5
covered a great deal of information relating to the very first stages of
conceived human life through the time of infancy. These three chapters contained
a lot of new information for me. I want to start of by saying that these
chapters really opened by eyes in terms of the scope of all the variables and
different kinds of elements (both good and bad) that play into not only actual
childbirth itself but also pregnancy, and the whole early development process.
Chapter
3 discussed everything that occurs or can occur prior to the actual birth-taking
place. Much of the biological information regarding the reproduction of human
life, I feel many of us learned either in biology class or health class in high
school. However, I was not aware of all the possible hereditary disorders that
can occur. Chromosomal disorders for instance, due to alterations in chromosome
number, can result in disorders such as Down Syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome,
and Turner syndrome. Genetic disorders occur from harmful or malfunctioning
genes that can lead to disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease, Sickle-cell
disease, and cystic fibrosis.
I
have known individuals in my life who have had some of these disorders, and it
never occurred to me that these where things that took place months prior to
their birth, and where seemingly 100% out of anyone’s control. Call me naïve,
but I guess I never truly thought about it.
Chapters
4 and 5 were quite heavy on the information as well. I have yet to watch and
analyze the film for this week, “Life’s Greatest Miracle,” however, I am
assuming it will relate to these chapters very well. Being a fairly newly
married man, having a child is definitely something my wife and I discuss quite
often. These two chapters really exposed and broke down the miracle of what new
human life really is. It honestly got me quite intrigued. My wife, who is a
nurse I might add, has poked fun at me because I always get kind of squirmy and
uncomfortable when we would talk about having our first child. I am beginning
to think, after reading, that it was because I really did not know much of
ANYTHING! However, after reading these chapters about the birth process,
preliminary tests, all the different stages of development coupled with the
science and reasoning behind it all, I feel slightly less scared. It is normal
for people to fear what they do not know or understand…right?
Chapter
5 was by far my favorite; I believe this is one of the early stages I am
looking forward to the most when I become a father, the infancy stage. In this
chapter the discussion of the early weeks and months of a child’s life
absolutely astounded me. The graph on p.108 just blew my mind. I even asked by
wife who assisted in raising her 4 nieces and nephews if this stuff is really
“the average” development rate. This graph charted the milestones in "Gross Motor Development" from birth to 16 months old. Being a 27-year-old male who has
not been around babies since my youngest brother was born 20 years ago, I have
lost touch with the rapidity of development these little human beings progress
at…Absolutely amazing.
It is great hearing your perspective on these chapters, Chris. When I was pregnant I read many books that tell all about the genetic problem your future child can have. While it is very interesting it is also very scary. You just have to put it out of your mind because there is noting you can do about it. I have just recently learned more about genetic testing and think that is the wave of the future. I am curious to see how that will affect the presence genetic disorders over the next several generations.
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ReplyDeleteGreat analysis Chris. This quote really stood out to me. "However, after reading these chapters about the birth process, preliminary tests, all the different stages of development coupled with the science and reasoning behind it all, I feel slightly less scared. It is normal for people to fear what they do not know or understand…right?" Development is a topic many people truly don't comprehend and take for granted. If you think about it for the most part development occurs even if you truly don't understand why. These chapters show how complicated and sometimes scary development can be. I am glad you gained a deeper perspective and can find comfort in the knowledge that you gained.
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ReplyDeleteYour blog is a pleasure to read. It sometimes doesn't occur to me that people don't know the "ins and outs" of having a baby. It is all I have known and studied for so long (biology) that this idea is lost on me. I think you're absolutely right about being scared of something you're unfamiliar with. My fiance and I talk about having children all the time. The first thing his brain always goes to is money and finances when it comes to starting a family. This is awesome because he is very worried about being able to provide for our family. He too has not been around many babies in his life. Reading your blog has made me wonder if he has some fear about starting a family as well. Thank you for your insight!
Chris as far as not knowing nearly enough about this information, I am line right next you. I have known some people with these diseases as well, most notably Down's, and what I thought I knew was obviously just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much that goes into the development of these disorders and like you said it is pretty much out of our control. It is certainly a little nerve-racking. Secondly, I think feeling uncomfortable about having a child is perfectly normal. I am nowhere close to that stage in my life yet, but when I am I can't imagine I'll be running towards that path right away with arms wide open. It is a major step and while most of us know if we want a child or not, finding out if we are ready for one is the more difficult question to answer.
ReplyDeleteChris as far as not knowing nearly enough about this information, I am line right next you. I have known some people with these diseases as well, most notably Down's, and what I thought I knew was obviously just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much that goes into the development of these disorders and like you said it is pretty much out of our control. It is certainly a little nerve-racking. Secondly, I think feeling uncomfortable about having a child is perfectly normal. I am nowhere close to that stage in my life yet, but when I am I can't imagine I'll be running towards that path right away with arms wide open. It is a major step and while most of us know if we want a child or not, finding out if we are ready for one is the more difficult question to answer.
ReplyDeleteChris, I really enjoyed your post as always. I would like to think I know some things about baby making but these chapters into a whole different persecutive. This is such an exciting and intriguing process. I like how you said we are going to experience the exact same events but as a parent! AND we will experience learning how to be a parent for the first time!
ReplyDeleteI was interested to see what our male classmates thought of these chapters. I agree with you on Chapter 3 most of that was learned back in HS but I also enjoyed reading about how certain diseases come to play when too many or bad genes and DNA and chromosomes come to play. I enjoy reading that you learned so much during this chapter as you are a newlywed and thinking about starting your own family. These chapters could either scare you to say no way or when should we start. Perfect timing for you to get educated in the prenatal, preganancy and labor.
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