Watch the video What Babies Learn Before They are Born (I suggest completing this handout while watching the video) and read March of Dimes (2015).  Use information from the video and the reading to answer the questions below:

1. Why is the prenatal period important?
2. Considering everyone has experienced trauma and stress during the COVID-19 crisis, what impact could the COVID-19 crisis have on a fetus in the germinal stage, embryonic, and fetal stages of prenatal development?
3. What “biological postcards from the world outside” might a fetus in New York City be receiving during the COVID-19 crisis?
4. Considering everyone has experienced trauma and stress during the COVID-19 crisis, what impact could the COVID-19 crisis have on a baby born right after the pandemic ends (their mother was pregnant during the COVID-19 crisis)?
5. Considering everyone has experienced trauma and stress during the COVID-19 crisis, what impact could the COVID-19 crisis have on a adult (imagine the year is 2040) who was born right after the pandemic ended (their mother was pregnant during the COVID-19 crisis)?
6. Thinking about what you know about prenatal development, what advise would you give to a family member who is pregnant during the COVID-19 crisis?

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