Nagulesapillai, McDonald, Fenton, Mercader, & Tough (2013) also reference reports which indicate preterm delivery may negatively influence future developmental outcomes for children. Furthermore, Tracy’s preterm delivery may have been due to medical complications with her mother. Tracy’s mother suffers from Ulcerative Colitis and had a significant flare up during pregnancy. As a result, Tracy’s mother was not able to retain proper nutrients from her diet and ultimately had to begin taking steroids during her last trimester. Despite this, Tracy’s prenatal checkups indicated everything was on track developmentally for Tracy. Tracy’s mother has never smoked and did not use alcohol or other substances during her pregnancy. At birth Tracy weighed 6 lb. 5 oz. and had Apgar scores within normal limits. Tracy has had no significant medical problems since her birth and has received all recommended vaccinations including annual flu shots. Tracy has also met all developmental milestones thus far; crawling, walking, and talking at an appropriate age. Tracy does not have any family history of genetic diseases. Tracy currently eats a healthy diet, though per her mother’s report she sometimes refuses to eat her fruits and …show more content…
As a result, Tracy’s mother feels her own emotional state may have been somewhat clouded immediately following Tracy’s birth. Additionally, Tracy was provided with a bottle shortly after her delivery, which her mother feels impacted Tracy’s engagement with breastfeeding. Tracy did not want to breastfeed and was fed via bottle beginning shortly after her birth. Nagulesapillai et al. (2013) found that late preterm babies often have difficulties breastfeeding. Tracy’s mother feels like this may have somewhat impacted their attachment during the first few months of Tracy’s life. A positive aspect on the psychological dimension is that Tracy has developed a very clear sense of self, as indicated by her responses in the ASQ. Tracy’s mother also reports that she is very adept at identifying her own emotions. For instance, when Tracy is verbally reprimanded she will respond by saying, “you hurt me to the core… I feel sad and mad.” She also communicates very well, which tends to enhance a child’s self-image (Ashford and LeCroy,