7.2 Foetal Growth And Development Flashcards
When is pregnancy calculated from?
The date of last menstrual period
What pattern of growth characterises the embryonic period?
Intense activity - organogenetic period
Absolute growth is very small (except placenta)
What happens to growth in the foetal period?
Growth and weight gain accelerate
During which periods does CRL rapidly increase?
Pre-embryonic
Embryonic
Early foetal
When is weight gain at its fastest (of foetus)?
Mid and late foetal periods
What sort of growth occurs in the embryo?
Intense morphogenesis and differentiation
Not much weight gain
Significant placental growth
What sort of growth happens in the early foetus?
Protein deposition
What sort of growth occurs in the late foetus?
Adipose deposition
Why is the CRL less useful in the foetal period?
Body proportions change dramatically
What are the body proportions at week 9?
Head is approximately half CRL
What happens to the body proportions after week 9?
Body length and lower limb growth accelerates
What are 3 sources of ante-natal assessment of foetal wellbeing?
Mother -> Foetal movements
Measurements of uterine expansion
Ultrasound scan
How is uterine expansion measured?
Symphysis-fundal height
What must be taken into consideration when using symphysis-fundal height?
It is not just the foetus that is occupying the space
There is amniotic fluid too
When would a first time mother feel foetal movements?
20 weeks
What can the USS be used to detect early in pregnancy?
Calculate age Rule out ectopic Number of foetuses Assess foetal growth Anomalies
Why is the USS done at 20 weeks?
Structures are developed
Structures are large enough to see
What is the 20 week scan sometimes known as?
Anomaly scan
What methods can be used to estimate foetal age?
LMP
Development criteria
When is CRL measured?
Between 7 and 13 weeks
What is a T1 scan used for?
Date pregnancy Estimate due date Check location Number Viability
Why is CRL not used later in pregnancy?
Less strong correlation between crown and rump
What is the biparietal diameter?
The distance between the parietal bones of the foetal skull