Chapter 3 Flashcards
Describe techniques that may assist with conception.
STIs, variocele and endometriosis cause infertility
1. Drugs - stimulates the ovaries to release multiple eggs
2. Artificial insemination - inject sperm into a woman’s uterus
3. In vitro fertilization - fertilize an egg outside the womb and then insert it into a woman’s uterus or fallopian tube
What are the three main events for each of the three phases of the prenatal period?
Prenatal development begins with conception and proceeds through the germinal, embryonic, and fetal periods. Growth during the prenatal period is faster than during any other period of the life span.
What happens in the germinal period?
The germinal period lasts about 2 weeks. During this time, the single-celled zygote repeatedly multiplies by mitosis to form a blastocyst and travels to the uterus where it implants itself. Eggs with genetic defects may go through miscarriage
What happens in the embryonic period?
The embryonic period lasts from the 3rd to 8th week. Every major organ takes shape during this time in a process called organogenesis. The placenta forms and connects the embryo to its mother through the umbilical cord. Major developments occur during this time, including formation and beating of the heart, facial development, a premature nervous system and the start of sexual differentiation.
What happens in the fetal period?
The fetal period lasts from the ninth week after conception until the end of pregnancy. The body and brain undergo much growth during this time and start functioning. Neurons multiply, migrate, and differentiate into what they will finally become with mylenation. Harmful agents dont do as much damage. External sexual characteristics are formed and the baby starts moving. The age of viability is reached at around 23–24 weeks’ gestation.
Describe the three major processes of brain development during the prenatal period.
- Proliferation - neurons are multiplying at a staggering rate during this period (around 100 billion by the end)
- Migration - the neurons move from the center of the brain to particular locations where they will become specialized. Once arrived, it begins to communicate with the surrounding neurons.
- Differentiation - neurons evolve into a particular type/function based on their specialisation (with location)
What is the concept of fetal programming?
That environmental events and maternal conditions during pregnancy may alter the expected genetic unfolding of the embryo/fetus or reset its physiologic functions.
Evaluate the usefulness of fetal programming in understanding connections between prenatal events and postnatal outcomes.
The womb is an environment and can affect the embryo/fetus in positive as well as negative ways. Through fetal programming, prenatal conditions can alter the architecture of the fetal brain, setting the stage for later vulnerabilities or for later resilience - even in the offspring of the child.
Describe at least two teratogens that can lead to serious developmental defects
- Thalidomide - used for morning sickness but if used in the first 2 months (sensitive period) can cause missing limbs for the child.
- Tobacco - if used in sensitive periods, can increase risk of miscarriage, small size/LBW, respiratory problems etc. More tobacco use can lead to more intense symptoms - even SIDS.
- Illicit drugs - cocaine is a strong stimulant that can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage (early stages) and early detachment of placenta at birth/stroke (later stages). Opioids lead to smaller/premature babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
- STI - AIDS can be passed down to children through many different ways, but could mean that the child will go through something deadly.
Describe at least two teratogens that can lead to mild or moderate defects.
- Alcohol - It disrupts neural migration and lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/spectrum disorders.
- Rubella - mothers affected by rubella can lead to blindness from congenital cataracts, deafness, heart defects, and intellectual disability in the baby. Only in the sensitive period.
- Diabetes - if the mother has diabetes, it can lead to elevated glucose levels for the baby which increases risk of premature delivery, stillbirth or miscarriage, immature lung development, congenital heart defects, and neural tube defects.
What are teratogens?
Teratogens include diseases, drugs, or other environmental agents that can harm the developing fetus.
When is a teratogen most damaging?
Teratogens are most damaging to an organ during the time when the organ is developing most rapidly in sensitive periods. The longer and stronger the exposure to a teratogen, the more likely that damage will occur to the developing child. The genetic makeup of both mother and unborn baby influence the effect of a teratogen, as does the quality of the prenatal and postnatal environments.
Summarize characteristics of the parents-to-be that may influence pregnancy and its outcomes.
Some aspects of the mother can influence the prenatal environment:
1. Age - Women in their 20s and 30s have the lowest rates of pregnancy and can cause stillbirths, LBW, difficult twin births (from older moms) etc.
2. Emotional state - Women who experience prolonged and severe emotional stress during pregnancy may give birth to smaller, more irritable babies as their hormones get passed through the placenta.
3. Nutritional status - Good nutrition is important throughout pregnancy and is often supplemented with vitamins and fortified foods.
Describe the effects of various interventions during delivery on neonatal outcomes.
- Vacuum extraction - Removes the baby but can cause swelling of the scalp and some suction marks
- Forceps - to remove the baby, but the soft skull of the new borns came with consequences (cranial bleeding/brain damage)
- Cesarean delivery - done when the fetus isnt positioned right, when the placenta removes early etc. Can carry surgical risks.
- Epidural/Spinal blocks- reduces awareness of pain and sensation in specific parts of the body. But it may lengthen labour and needing instruments
- Oxytocin - speeds up a long labour
Compare cultural practices surrounding labor, delivery, and neonatal life
Many births today take place in the medical setting of a hospital or birthing center. The experiences of pregnancy and childbirth vary widely, across cultures as well as across women within a culture. Some women experience mild to moderate depression following childbirth. Fathers, too, often need time to adjust to the life changes that accompany becoming a parent, as do older siblings.
