The doctor, who was trained in obstetrics before turning to research, doubts that the new findings about prenatal programming will dump additional liability on the medical profession. But he worries for the mothers. It may be that your mother worked too hard while she was pregnant. Current medical research clearly shows that as a result of your mother's lack of good nutrition and rest, you are now programmed to have life-threatening high blood pressure, and you will probably suffer from heart disease. Some might not be part of the Cornell University community, and Cornell has no control over their content or availability.
Vulnerable periods occur at different times for different tissues.
Cells dividing rapidly are at greatest risk. Programming has permanent effects that alter responses in later life and can modify susceptibility to disease. Fetal development is activity dependent. Normal development is dependent on continuing normal activity. Each phase of development provides required conditions to subsequent development.