The Mother and Her Child | Page 9

And yet so worried and apprehensive has been the pregnant mother,
that, although she can never successfully predict the "birthmarks" and
blemishes of her child, nevertheless when these defects are disclosed at
birth she is unfailingly able immediately to recall some extraordinary
experience which she has carefully stored away in her memory and
which, to her mind, most fully explains and accounts for the defect.
Is it much wonder that in the very early days of embryonic existence,
during the hours of delicate cell division, indentation, outpushing,
elongation, and sliding of young cells--is it much wonder, I repeat--that
there occur a few malformations, blemishes, or other accidents which
persist as "birthmarks?"
CAUSES OF BIRTHMARKS

There are many factors which may enter into the production of
birth-blemishes, deformities, monstrosities, etc. These influences are all
governed by certain definite laws of cause and effect. A pre-existent
systemic disease in the father, or a coexistent disorder in the mother,
may be a leading factor. A mechanical injury, such as a sudden fall, a
blow, or a kick, or certain kinds of prolonged pressure, not to mention
restrictions and contractions of the maternal bony structures, may all
possibly contribute something to these prenatal miscarriages of growth
and development. Maternal or prenatal embryonic infections could
bring about many sorts of birthmarks and malformations. These defects
might also be caused by certain types of severe inflammatory disorders
in the uterus during the early days of pregnancy.
The same factors that produce the accidents of embryology resulting in
malformations or monstrosities in the human family, are also operative
in the case of our lesser brethren of the animal kingdom, for
monstrosities and birth-defects are very common among the lower
animals, notwithstanding the fact that the animal mother probably does
not "believe in birthmarks."
"It is a striking fact that during the nineteenth century, the teratologists,
those who have scientifically investigated the causes of monstrosities
and fetal morbid states, have almost without exception, rejected the
theory of maternal impressions." Scientists and physicians are coming
to recognize the fact that fears and frights do not in any way act as
causes in the production of monstrosities and deformities. Let us seek
forever to liberate all womankind from the common and harassing fear
and the definite dread and worry that, because they failed to control
themselves at the instant of some terrifying sight or experience, they
were directly responsible for the misfortune of their abnormal
offspring.
It should be remembered that there exists no direct connection
whatsoever between the nervous system of the unborn child and the
nervous system of the mother. The only physiological or embryological
relationship is of a nutritional order, and even that is indirect and
remote.

ROLE OF THE PLACENTA
By the end of the third month, the "cocoon" attachment described in
chapter two has disappeared; the fetus is slowly pushed away from the
uterus which has so snugly held it for more than eleven weeks; while
upon the exact site of its previous attachment the thickened uterine
membrane undergoes a very interesting and important change--definite
blood vessels begin to form--which begin indirectly to form contact
with the maternal vessels, and thus it is that the placenta, or "after
birth" is formed; and then, by means of the umbilical cord, nourishment
from the mother's blood-stream is carried to the growing and rapidly
developing child. In exchange for the nourishing stream of life-giving
fluid by which growth and development take place, the embryo gives
off its poisonous excretions which are carried back to the placenta,
from which they are absorbed into the veinous circulation of the mother;
so, while the mother does, through the process of nutrition, influence
growth and development in the embryo, she is wholly unable to
produce specific changes and such definite developmental errors as
birthmarks and other deformities.
Just as truly as it would be impossible so to frighten a setting hen as to
"mark" or otherwise influence the form or character of the chicks which
would ultimately come forth from the eggs in her nest, it is just as truly
impossible to frighten the pregnant mother and thereby influence the
final developmental product of the human egg which is so securely
tucked away in its uterine nest; for, when conception has occurred, the
human embryo is just as truly an egg--fashioned and formed--as is the
larger and shell-contained embryo of the chick which lies in the nest of
the setting hen.
And so we are compelled to recognize the fact that there is little more
danger to the unborn child when the mother is frightened than when the
father is scared. The one contributes as much as the other to the general
character of the child, while neither is to blame for development errors
and defects.
SUGGESTION AND HEREDITY

Certain fears are suggested to children.