chapter 4

Question 1

what is the course of prenatal development

Answer 1

1) germinal period
2) embryonic period
3) fetal period

Question 2

characteristics of germinal period

Answer 2

• 2 weeks after conception
• creation of zygote and its attachment to the uterine wall
• ends when blastocysts attach to uterine wall

Question 3

characteristics of embryonic period

Answer 3

• from 2-8 weeks after conception
• embryo’s endoderm develops into the digestive and respiratory systems
• life support systems for embryo develop

Question 4

what are the life support systems for the embryo

Answer 4

1) amnion = bag of clear fluid where embryo floats
2) placenta = small blood vessels from mother and baby intertwine
3) umbilical cord = contains 2 arteries and 1 vein, connects baby to placenta
4) organogenesis = organ formation that occurs during the first two months of prenatal development (environmental hazards are a risk!)

Question 5

define ectoderm

Answer 5

develops into the nervous system, sensory system, and skin

Question 6

define mesoderm

Answer 6

develops into the circulatory system, bones, muscles, excretory and reproductive systems

Question 7

characteristics of fetal period

Answer 7

• from 8 weeks to birth
• growth and development continue and organ systems mature until life can be sustained outside the womb
• development of bone structure, limbs, and digits of human form
• at the end of the first trimester = fetus is 3 inches (7.62cm) long
• major organs are present
• 4th and 5th month = movement is felt, toenails and fingernails forming
• end of 5th month = fetus sleeps, wakes, sucks, moves
• end of 6th month = eyes, eyelids, and eyelashes form ; eyes are light sensitive ; can hear uterine sounds
• end of 9th month = nails grown, fetus less active, getting immunity from mother

Question 8

what are hazards to prenatal birth

Answer 8

1) teratogen
2) alcohol

Question 9

what is teratogen

Answer 9

an agent that causes birth defects.

example: prescription and non-prescription drugs (cross the placenta and affect fetus), diet pills, aspirin, environmental pollutants

Question 10

why is alcohol bad during prenatal birth

Answer 10

• can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Question 11

what else is bad?

Answer 11

• nicotine (lower birth weight, respiratory problems)
• cocaine
• marijuana
• heroin
• ecstasy
• radiation, environmental pollutants, toxic wastes

Question 12

what are some maternal diseases

Answer 12

• rubella (German measles: prenatal defects)
• syphillis
• genital herpes
• HIV / AIDS

Question 13

prenatal care includes what

Answer 13

• screening that can reveal manageable conditions or treatable diseases that can affect mother or baby
• education about pregnancy, labour, delivery, and caring for newborn

*maternal nutrition = of utmost importance!

Question 14

how many stages of birth are there

Answer 14

3

Question 15

what happens in stage 1

Answer 15

• first births = 12-24 hours
• uterine contractions 15-20 minutes apart and last up to 1 minute
• woman’s cervix stretches and opens
• end of stage 1 = cervix dilates to 10cm
• contractions 2-5 mins apart

Question 16

what happens in stage 2

Answer 16

• baby’s head moves through cervix and birth canal
• ends with baby emerging from mother’s body
• lasts 1.5 hours

Question 17

what happens in stage 3 (afterbirth)

Answer 17

placenta and umbilical cord expelled

Question 18

transition from fetus to newborn

Answer 18

• umbilical cord cut immediately after birth ; baby has to breathe on their own
• baby’s skin is covered in Vernix Caseosa (protective grease)

Question 19

what are the types of delivery during the birth process

Answer 19

1) natural
2) prepared
3) c-section

Question 20

define natural childbirth

Answer 20

• dick-read 1914
• education about childbirth, breathing and relaxation

Question 21

define prepared childbirth

Answer 21

• lamaze method
• a special breathing technique to control pushing, anatomy, and physiology course

Question 22

define c-section

Answer 22

if baby is in breech position and birth is not progressing, baby is removed through incision in abdomen

Question 23

what are some special neonatal considerations

Answer 23

• full-term infant: 38-42 weeks
• preterm infants: born before 38 weeks
• low-birth weight infants: born after regular gestation but weigh less than 2.5kg (5.5 lbs.) at birth
• very-low-birth weight: under 1.6kg
• extremely-low-birth weight: under 0.9kg
• small-for-gestational-age infants: birth weight below normal for length of pregnancy

Question 24

what are some low birthweight reasons

Answer 24

• adolescent birth
• drug use
• poor nutrition

Question 25

what can help the children with these problems

Answer 25

• kangaroo care = increases weight gain and improves breast feeding, less pain
• massage therapy = improves weight gain and lowers stress response

Question 26

how do we measure neonatal health and responsiveness

Answer 26

using the APGAR scale.
- it is used to assess newborn health
- 1 to 5 minutes after birth
- heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body colour, reflex irritability (score = 0, 1, or 2)

7-10 = good
5 = difficulties
3 or less = emergency

Question 27

characteristics of the postpartum period

Answer 27

• period after childbirth or delivery
• woman’s body adjusts physically and psychologically to childbearing
• lasts about 6 weeks
• body returns to near pre-pregnant state
• important to understand the postpartum health needs of the new mother

Question 28

what are some examples of physical adjustments

Answer 28

• fatigue
• involution (uterus returns to normal size)
• hormonal changes
• sleep loss
• resuming sexual intercourse
• resuming exercise

Question 29

what is postpartum depression

Answer 29

difficulty coping with daily tasks for more than 2 weeks after childbirth