Pregnancy Flashcards
fertilization/conception
union of an ovum and a sperm
chromosome
threadlike structure that carries genes
gene
unit of hereditary material
female and male sex chromosomes
female: XX
male: XY
Every ovum contains X. Sperm can contain X or Y. Sex is determined by X or Y.
amniocentesis
diagnostic procedure in which a needle is inserted through the uterus to extract fluid from the amniotic sac
amniotic sac
pouch of fluid surrounding a fetus; determines fetus’s sex
ultrasound
uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of a developing baby
after fertilization
fertilized ovum divides, moves through Fallopian tube to uterus, attaches to uterus, now called “embryo”
after embryo
now called a “fetus”, inside the placenta (anchors fetus to uterus using umbilical cord)
signs of pregnancy
amenorrhea, tender breasts, fatigue, appetite change, nausea, vomiting
three trimesters of pregnancy
1st: heartbeat, two-lobed brain, spinal cord; sex ID, physical features
2nd: tiny details (hair, lips, nails, etc.), can now move
3rd: final development
prenatal care
given to the mother and baby before birth
fetal alcohol syndrome
presence of severe birth defects in babies born to mothers who drink alcohol
ectopic pregnancy
embryo becomes implanted in Fallopian tube or other wrong location
toxemia of pregnancy
leakage of protein into urine, rising blood pressure
cesarean section
incision to remove abnormally huge baby
labor
process of childbirth
three stages of labor
1st: longest stage, cervix widens to allow baby to move through
2nd: baby moves down the birth canal, head first; mother pushes, uterus contracts
3rd: afterbirth comes out (placenta)
twins
identical: develop from same ovum
fraternal: two ova fertilized at same time by different sperm
