WEBVTT

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In this section, we're
going to be thinking

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about foetal programming.

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Following conception, the
embryo begins to develop

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and each embryo follows a
unique genetic blueprint.

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The period of
embryonic development

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is when the basic structures
of the body are formed.

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By nine weeks of gestation,
the embryo becomes a foetus

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and the foetus is thought
to be viable as a baby

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from 24 weeks of pregnancy.

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Foetal programming
refers to the way

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in which the
environment in the womb

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can affect the
development of the foetus

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and thereby can have a
permanent effect on the child.

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Our understanding about
foetal programming

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emerged as a result
of natural disasters

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such as the Dutch famine
during the Second World War.

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During this period, food
intake was between 400 and 900

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calories.

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And the Dutch famine
birth cohort study

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that was carried out by
a number of academics

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found that the children
of pregnant women exposed

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to famine were more susceptible
to diabetes, obesity,

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cardiovascular disease
and other health problems.

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Since then we have
begun to understand

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that foetal programming can
occur as a result of much more

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subtle changes to the
uterine environment,

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including more moderate changes
to the nutritional or stress

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state of the mother.

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This picture shows
two babies who

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were both born full term
following normal pregnancies.

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The baby on the right is,
as you can see, much smaller

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and is underweight.

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This smaller growth could be
due to a range of factors,

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including the
mother's diet, smoking

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or use of other substances.

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We now know that
low birth weight

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is associated with higher
morbidity and mortality,

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including inhibited
growth and cognitive

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development and chronic
diseases later in life.

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We have also begun to understand
that there are critical periods

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in terms of foetal development.

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For example, during the
first few weeks of pregnancy,

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the baby's physical
structure is developing

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in terms of the growth
of their arms and legs,

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which is why the
drug thalidomide had

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an effect on the
development of arms and legs

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only if it was taken
early in pregnancy.

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However, organs such
as the baby's brain

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develop throughout
the pregnancy and so

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the consumption of, for
example, alcohol and some drugs

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at any stage during
the pregnancy

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can affect the development
of the foetal brain.

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Although the development follows
a unique genetic blueprint,

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we've recently begun to
understand about epigenetics.

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Epigenetics means
on top of genetics

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and involves
chemical groups being

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added to the DNA,
which then control

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whether a particular
gene is turned on or off.

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Epigenetic changes
of this sort occur

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as a result of the impact
of the environment,

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such as for example, our
diet and exposure to stress.

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Such epigenetic
changes sometimes

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last a lifetime,
although some can also

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be changed by later experience.

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Epigenetic changes of this
sort can occur during pregnancy

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as a consequence of
both diet and stress.

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Watch the next
video, which shows

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how what happens in the
womb can last a lifetime,

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and then read the
article, which describes

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the process of bonding
with the unborn baby.

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It would be great
if you could then

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share some of your thoughts
with your colleagues

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on the discussion area.

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