Chapter 3 Prenatal development and birth

Question 1

germinal period

Answer 1

The period of prenatal devlopemnt that takes place in the first two weeks of concpetion. It included the creation of the zygote, continued cell division and the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall

Question 2

blastocyst

Answer 2

The inner layer of the cells that develops during the germinal period. These cells later develop into the embryo

Question 3

trophoblast

Answer 3

The outer layer of the cells that develops in the germinal period. These cells provide nutrition and support for the embryo

Question 4

embryonic period

Answer 4

The period of prenatal development two to eight weeks after conception. During the embryonic period, the rated of cell differentation intensifies, support systems for the cells form and organs appear

Question 5

amnion

Answer 5

The life-support system that is a membrane in the form of a sac that conatins a clear fluid in which the develping embryo floats

Question 6

umbillical cord

Answer 6

A life-support system that is a membrane in the form of a sac that contains a clear fluid in which the developing embryo floats

Question 7

plactenta

Answer 7

A life-support system that consists of a disc-shapped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and offspring intertwine

Question 8

organogenesis

Answer 8

organ formation that takes place during the first two months of development

Question 9

foetal period

Answer 9

Lasting about 7 months in typical pregnancies, the period between 2 months after conception and birth

Question 10

neurons

Answer 10

nerve cells, which process and transimit information in the nerveous system.

Question 11

teratogen

Answer 11

From the greek word tera, meaning monster. Any agent that affects the course of development adversly. The field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects is called a teratology

Question 12

afterbirth

Answer 12

the third stage of birth, when the palcenta, umbilical cord and other membranes are detached and expelled

Question 13

doula

Answer 13

A caregiver who provides physical emational and educational support for the mother before, during and after birth

Question 14

natural childbirth

Answer 14

This method attempts to reduce the mothers pain by decreasing her fear through education about childbirth and relaxation techniques during delivery

Question 15

prepared childbirth

Answer 15

Developed by French obstetrician Ferdinand Lamaze, this childbirth stratagey is similar to natural childbirth but includes a special breathing technique to control pushing in the final stages of labour and a more detailed anatomy and physiology course.

Question 16

breech postion

Answer 16

The babys postion in the uterus tha causes the buttocks to be the first part to emaerge from the vagina

Question 17

caesarean delivery

Answer 17

The baby is removed from the mothers uterus through an incision made in her abdomen

Question 18

Apgar scale

Answer 18

a widely used method to assess the health of newborns at one to five minutes after birth. The Apgar Scale evaluates an infants heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone , body colour and reflex irrtabiliy

Question 19

Brazeltons Neonatal Bevavioural Scale (NBAS)

Answer 19

A measure that is used in the first month of life to assess the newborns neurological development, reflexes and reactions to people and objects

Question 20

neonatal intensive acre unit neurobehavioral scale (NNNS)

Answer 20

An offspring of the NBAS, the NNNS provides an assestment of the newborns behaviour, neurologicsl and stress responses and regulatory capacities

Question 21

low birth weight infants

Answer 21

Infants that weigh less than 2500 grams at birth

Question 22

premature infants

Answer 22

those born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation (the time between fertilisation and birth)

Question 23

small for date infants.

Answer 23

Also called small for gestational age infants, these infants birth weights are below normal when the length of pregnancy is considered. Samll for date infants might be premature or full term.

Question 24

kangaroo care

Answer 24

Threatment for prem babies that involves skin to skin contact

Question 25

postpartum period

Answer 25

The period after childbirth when the mother adjusts, both physically and psychologically, to the process of childbirth. This period lasts for about six weeks or until her body has completed its adjustment and returned to near prepregnant state

Question 26

postpartum depression

Answer 26

Characteristics of women who have such strong feelings of sadness, anxiety or despair that they have trouble coping with daily tasks in the post partum period

Question 27

bonding

Answer 27

The formation of a close connection, especially a physical bond, between partents and their newborn in the period shortly after birth