Introduction
Teratogens are environmental agents that might lead to problems in human development during pregnancy. In general, they include alcohol, tobacco, substances, and medications (Valeii, 2021).
Discussion
There is extensive research that proves that teratogens are harmful to the baby’s development, particularly in the first trimester (Chung et al., 2021). For instance, the toxic effects of alcohol can lead to brain damage since alcohol can pass directly into fetal organs, resulting in long-lasting adverse health outcomes (Chung et al., 2021). The impact of teratogens can range from mild to severe, depending on the exposure level and the pregnancy period (Valeii, 2021). There are no benefits in teratogens, but sometimes they are necessary since pregnant women might have pre-existing medical conditions. Hence, to prevent further health risks, they need to intake specific medications which might simultaneously act as teratogens to the baby’s development (Valeii, 2021).
Conclusion
Ultimately, teratogens, such as smoking and alcohol, have only negative consequences on the baby’s health, but other teratogens, such as specific medications, might be necessary to support the mother’s well-being.
References
Chung, D. D., Pinson, M. R., Bhenderu, L. S., Lai, M. S., Patel, R. A., & Miranda, R. C. (2021). Toxic and teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on fetal development, adolescence, and adulthood. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(16), 8785.
Valeii, K. (2021). What is a teratogen? VeryWellHealth. Web.