What to Know about the Stages of Prenatal Development

Running Head: PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
EEFECT OF TERATOGEN ON PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
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Author’s Note

PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT1
Teratogens are external agents that affects the wellbeing and health of a foetus during
pregnancy. The word is derived from the term frightening roots, which means “giving birth to a
monster” and that can harm the foetus or the embryo (Rathus, 2017). Teratogens are drugs,
alcohol, excessive amount of hormones, heavy metals, pathogen, radiation, and hazardous
chemicals. These come in contact to the foetus when the mother ingests these substances, which
can be intentional or unintentional.
The chosen teratogen is Cannabis or Marijuana, it is a psychoactive drug that comes from
a plant known as Cannabis, which is used for recreational or medical purposes. It is popularly
known for its purpose in vaporizing, used as a food ingredient and for smoking. Most of the
teenagers are a target of marijuana addiction due to its property that makes a person feel relaxed
and feel a state of euphoria with an increased libido, awareness of sensation, and change in
conscious perception. The reason for choosing this teratogen is because it is a common teratogen
during teenage pregnancy and this issue needs exposure. According to researches, 24% of
Californian teenage mothers were tested positive for cannabis and it is a matter of concern for
public health. Cannabis are used for several useful purposes as well, which is the reason for the
harmful effects of cannabis to be overlooked (Ross et al., 2015).
Cannabis are known to be a teratogen for animals, humans and cells. The target of
cannabis during prenatal development is hearts, blood vessels, brain and chromosomal
segregation. It is the reason for cortical dysfunction when the foetus is developing and reaches
beyond adolescence. It leads to autism, congenital heart defects, anencephaly, gastroschisis and
cognitive impairment in extreme cases (Reece and Hulse, 2019). When a pregnant woman
smokes marijuana during pregnancy, she poses complications and serious risks to the foetus
because its effects are detrimental to the health of the mother as well as the child. It promotes