Lifespan Development: Chapter 3

Question 1

Germinal Period

Answer 1

The period of prenatal development that takes place in the first two weeks after conception. It includes 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 cells that develops during the germinal period. These cells later develop into the embryo.

Question 3

Trophoblast

Answer 3

The outer layer of 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 that occurs two to eight weeks after conception. During the embryonic period, the rate of cell differentiation intensifies, support systems for the cells form, and organs appear.

Question 5

Amnion

Answer 5

The life-support system that is a bag or envelope that contains a clear fluid in which the developing embryo floats.

Question 6

Umbilical Cord

Answer 6

A life-support system containing two arteries and one vein that connects the baby to the placenta.

Question 7

Placenta

Answer 7

A life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped 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 prenatal development.

Question 9

Fetal Period

Answer 9

Lasting about seven months, the prenatal period between two months after conception and birth in typical pregnancies.

Question 10

Neurons

Answer 10

Nerve cells, which handle information processing at the cellular level in the brain.

Question 11

Teratogen

Answer 11

From the Greek word tera, meaning “monster.” Any agent that causes a birth defect. The field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects is called teratology.

Question 12

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

Answer 12

A cluster of abnormalities that appears in the offspring of mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy.

Question 13

Afterbirth

Answer 13

The third stage of birth, when the
placenta, umbilical cord, and other membranes are
detached and expelled.

Question 14

Doula

Answer 14

A caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support for the mother before, during, and after childbirth.

Question 15

Natural Childbirth

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Prepared Childbirth

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Breech Position

Answer 17

The baby’s position in the uterus that causes the buttocks to be the first part to emerge from the vagina.

Question 18

Cesarean Delivery

Answer 18

The baby is removed from the mother’s uterus through an incision made in her abdomen.

Question 19

Apgar Scale

Answer 19

A widely used method to assess the health of newborns at one and five minutes after birth. The Apgar Scale evaluates an infant’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body color, and reflex irritability.

Question 20

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS)

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Neurobehavioral

Scale (NNNS)

Answer 21

An “offspring” of the NBAS, this provides an assessment of the newborn’s behavior, neurological and stress responses, and regulatory capacities.

Question 22

Low Birth Weight Infants

Answer 22

An infant that weighs less than 5½ pounds at birth.

Question 23

Preterm Infants

Answer 23

Those born before the completion
of 37 weeks of gestation (the time between
fertilization and birth).

Question 24

Small for Date Infants

Answer 24

These infants’ birth weights are below normal when the length of pregnancy is considered. They may be preterm or full term.

Question 25

Kangaroo Care

Answer 25

Treatment for preterm infants that

involves skin-to-skin contact.

Question 26

Postpartum Period

Answer 26

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 a near prepregnant state.

Question 27

Postpartum Depression

Answer 27

Characteristic of women who have such strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair that they have trouble coping with daily tasks in the postpartum period. Symptoms linger for weeks or months and interfere with daily functioning.

Question 28

Postpartum Blues

Answer 28

Symptoms appear 2 to 3 days after delivery and usually subside within 1 to 2 weeks.

Question 29

Bonding

Answer 29

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

Question 30

David Olds

Answer 30

Founded the Nurse Family Partnership that involves home visits by trained nurses beginning in the second or third trimester of prenatal development and continues until the baby reaches two years of age.

Question 31

Ferdinand Lamaze

Answer 31

French obstetrician who developed prepared childbirth.

Question 32

T. Berry Brazelton

Answer 32

Developed a neonatal assessment of neurological development.

Question 33

Tiffany Field

Answer 33

Explored the role of touch and massage in development.