Final answer:
Maternal characteristics such as nutrition, substance use, and stress levels can affect prenatal development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maternal characteristics can significantly impact prenatal development. Some important factors include:
- Nutrition: A mother's diet is crucial for providing essential nutrients for the developing fetus. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to birth defects and developmental problems. For example, a lack of folic acid can result in neural tube defects.
- Substance use: Consuming alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during pregnancy can have harmful effects on the fetus. Alcohol consumption can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, causing physical and cognitive impairments.
- Stress levels: High levels of stress in pregnant mothers can impact the development of the fetus. Chronic stress during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth and developmental issues in children.