Ch. 3: Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn

Question 1

Describe the period of the zygote. When does it begin and end? What happens?

Answer 1

0-2 weeks.

Begins when egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube; period of rapid cell division.

Ends 2 weeks later when zygote implanted in wall of the uterus. Placenta formed between mother and developing organism to provide nutrients, remove waste.

Question 2

After about four days, the zygote comprises about 100 cells, resembles a hollow ball, and is called a _____.

Answer 2

Blastocyst.

Question 3

A small cluster of cells near the centre of the blastocyst, the _____, eventually develops into a baby.

Answer 3

Germ disc.

Question 4

Describe the period of the embryo. When does it begin and end? What happens?

Answer 4

3-8 weeks.

Body structures and internal organs formed. Embryo rests in the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid. Umbilical cord joins embryo to placenta.

Question 5

During the period of the embryo, there are three layers. Define them.

Answer 5

Ectoderm: will become hair, outer layer of skin, and nervous system.

Mesoderm: will form bones, muscles, circulatory system.

Endoderm: will form digestive system and lungs.

Question 6

Describe the period of the fetus. When does it begin and end? What happens?

Answer 6

9 weeks until birth.

Finishing touches on body systems. All regions of the brain grow, particularly the cerebral cortex.

Question 7

What happens in the third month of development? The sixth?

Answer 7

3 months: genital organs develop.

6 months: variations in heart rate; changes in heart rate due to physiological stress.

Question 8

During the fifth and sixth months after conception, eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp hair emerge. The skin thickens and is covered with what?

Answer 8

Vernix, protects the fetus during long bath in amniotic fluid.

Question 9

What is the age of viability?

Answer 9

22-28 weeks. Most systems function well enough that fetus born at this time has a chance to survive.

Question 10

When is a baby considered premature?

Answer 10

Born less than 37 weeks old.

Question 11

Fetal movements begin around when?

Answer 11

4 months.

Question 12

What can the fetus hear? Related to that, what do newborns show and what happens rapidly after birth?

Answer 12

Mother’s heart beat, sounds and voices.

Newborns show recognition of sensory experiences repeated throughout pregnancy.

Similar learning occurs rapidly after birth

Question 13

Infants with obese mothers run what risks?

Answer 13

Hypertension, diabetes, infection chance.

Question 14

Folic acid is essential because it is related to what?

Answer 14

Neural tube development.

Question 15

Why is fish to be avoided by pregnant mothers?

Answer 15

Mercury, which impacts brain development and can lead to reduced cognitive abilities.

Question 16

Prolonged stress in pregnant mothers runs what risks? What can resulting unhealthy behaviours pose to the infant?

Answer 16

Decreased oxygen to fetus, weakens immune system.

Smaller babies, difficulty with attention, behavioural dysregulation.

Question 17

What happens if a mother is too young or too old?

Answer 17

Infant mortality higher in teenage moms. 1 in 100 risk of Down’s Syndrome after age 40.

Question 18

What happens to an infant if a father is aging?

Answer 18

1 in 100 risk of Down’s after age 40. Every 10 years after age 40 increases risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder by two; increased risk of schizophrenia and DNA fragmentation.

Question 19

When mothers do not consume enough folic acid, their babies are at risk for which disorder?

Answer 19

Spina bifida: embryo’s neural tube does not close properly during first month of pregnancy.

Question 20

Even moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can result in _____.

Answer 20

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Question 21

Describe what occurred with thalidomide.

Answer 21

A mild tranquilizer marked for “morning sickness” and showed no ill effect on rats. Led to severe birth defects (deformed limbs).

Question 22

Jaffee (2003) believes that motherhood leads to harmful consequences through two distinct mechanisms. What are they?

Answer 22

Social influence: refers to events when teenage mother gives birth, events that make it harder for her to provide a positive environment for development.

Social selection: some teenage girls more likely than others to become pregnant, and the same factors that cause girls to become pregnant may put their children at risk.

Question 23

Explain the possible effects of the following teratogens on infants:

• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Heroin

Answer 23

Caffeine: possible lower birth weight.

Nicotine: increased risk of miscarriage and pre-term births, low birth weights, respiratory problems, ADHD, SIDS.

Cocaine: neurological, medical, and cognitive deficits.

Marijuana: neurocognitive deficits, lower birth weight, less motor control.

Heroin: behavioural problems and attention deficits, slow growth.

Question 24

Environmental hazards in food, water, and air are treacherous. Why? What should pregnant women avoid?

Answer 24

Often unaware of their presence.

Insecticides and chemicals in food and household chemicals.

Question 25

Which is the least invasive method of prenatal diagnosis?

Answer 25

Ultrasound.

Question 26

What is amniocentesis? Are there any risks?

Answer 26

Sample of fetal cells obtained from amniotic fluid to screen for genetic disorders.

Increased risk of miscarriage.

Question 27

What is chorionic villus sampling? Are there any benefits when compared to amniocentesis?

Answer 27

Sample of tissue obtained from chorion to screen for genetic disorders.

Decreased risk of miscarriage, but not as widely available.

Question 28

Half of all new moms feel what?

Answer 28

Some irritation, resentment, and experience crying.

Question 29

10-15% of new mothers experience what? Why is it disruptive to a child’s development?

Answer 29

Severe postpartum depression.

Disrupts mothers’ ability to provide warm and responsive care for their infants.

Question 30

What percentage of fathers experience postpartum depression worldwide and in Canada? How does it impact development? What is the greatest risk factor?

Answer 30

10.4% worldwide, 11.2% in Canada.

Impacts parenting and associated with future psychological problems in children.

Greatest risk factor is postpartum depression in the mother.

Question 31

Premature birth is generally less serious than _____.

Answer 31

Small-for-date.

Question 32

In birth complications, what form of care is often used?

Answer 32

Kangaroo care (skin to skin contact).

Question 33

The Apgar assesses newborns’ health with what five measures?

Answer 33

Activity, pulse, grimace, appearance, and respiration.

Question 34

The Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS) is a comprehensive assessment of infants that includes measures of what?

Answer 34

Alertness and ability to interact with people.

Question 35

Which three reflexes are important to survival?

Answer 35

Moro, rooting, sucking.

Question 36

What are two reflexes that help protect the newborn?

Answer 36

Blink, withdrawal.

Question 37

List the four primary newborn states.

Answer 37

Alert inactivity, waking activity, crying, sleeping.

Question 38

Babies generally cry 2-3 hours a day. There are 3 recognized types. Define each.

Answer 38

Basic: gradual to intense; hungry/tired.

Mad: more intense version of basic.

Pain: sudden, long shriek, followed by pausing and gasping crying.

Question 39

What is an effective technique for soothing an upset baby?

Answer 39

Swaddling: wrapping tightly in a blanket.

Question 40

Many babies shift to more night-time sleep between _____ weeks.

Answer 40

6-12.

Question 41

How long do babies generally sleep? Is it continuous?

Answer 41

16 hours/day. 4 hour bursts.

Question 42

List four risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). What else may play a role.

Answer 42

Premature or low birth-weight.

Parental smoking.

Babies sleeping face down.

Being too hot while sleeping.

Poor autonomic heart rate control.

Question 43

How would you describe perception and learning in the newborn?

Answer 43

All the basic perceptual processes are operating at birth.

Newborns can learn and remember – they change their behaviour based on experiences.