prenatal development Flashcards
zygote
- when egg is fertilized in fallopian tube
- Rapid cell division
- Ends 2 weeks later when zygote is implanted un uterus
- Placenta formed between mother and developing organism to provide nutrients and remove waste
embryo
- 3-8 weeks after conception
- Body structures and organs start to form
- Embry rests in the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid
- Umbilical cord joins embryo to placenta
period of the fetus
- from 9 weeks – brith
- Finishing touches on body
- Brain grows, particularly cerebral cortex
- Genital organs develop in 3rd month
- Age of viability: 22-28 weeks fetus has change of survival outside of womb
- At 6 months there are variations in HR response to physiological stress
fetal behavior
- Movements begin at 4 months
- Fetus hears moms heart beat, sounds and vouces
- Newborns show recognition of sensory experiences that happeded during pregnancy
- Can learn super quick after birth → unnecessary to start lerning before birth
nutrition risk factor
o Enough food (for baby and for doing lots of work)
o Need lots of protein, certain vitamins an minerals
o Malnourished moms → more likely to have a deformed kid
o Obese → can get diabetes, respiratory problems, high rates of hypertension and infections (in moms)
o Some fish have high levels of mercury → bad for baby (miscarriages, lower cognitive ability)
o Moms → don’t eat raw fish, unpasteurized food, deli meat bc of bacteria
prolonged stress risk factor
o Lower oxygen
o Lower immune system
o Increased illness
o Must deal with stress in a healthy way (no alcohol, cigarettes, etc.)
moms age risk factor
o Too young or too old is bad
o Babies that die: 2x higher than in teens than moms in 20s
• Not enough nutrients for kids
• Not as much education
• Not enough prenatal care
o After age 40: less eggs, less physically able to have kids
• Increased down syndrome risk
o Dads age: increased risk of autism, down syndrome, schiz
teratogens risk factor
- Diseases, drugs, environmental factors
- Agent that causes abnormal prenatal development or birth defect
- Alcohol = harmful
o Even moderate amounts of alcohol can results in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
o Problems with fasd: abnormal facial development, heart problems, attention, cognitive and behavioral problems
o Can only research how alcohol affects by asking moms because its unethical to get subjects to drink and fuck up the kids
o Possible that a very small amount of alcohol is ok
thalidomide
o Mild tranquilizer marked for morning sickness
o No ill effects on rats so they thought it would be safe for humans too
o Led to severe birth defects (deformed limbs)
other teratogens
o Caffeine: research unclear about safety, maybe low birth weight
o Nicotine: increased risk of miscarriage and preterm births, low birth weights, respiratory problems, adhd, sids
o Cocaine: neurological, medical, cognitive deficits
o Marijuana: neurocognitive deficits, lower birth weight, less motor control
o Heroine: behavioral problems and attention deficits, slow growth
diseases and environmental hazards
o Hazards in food, water, air → bad bc usually unaware that they’re there
o Preg women should avoid incesticides and chemical in food and household chemicals
o Test moms to see if immune to rubella and tosoplasmosis if planning to get knocked up bc it can lead to defects or death
o Certain communities → higher risk of athesma, cancer, etc.
how teratogens influence prenatal development
- Not universally harmful
- Harm particular vulnerable body systems at diff points in prenatal development
- Each teratogen harms specific and diff aspects of development
- Impact depends on dose
- Damage not always evident in birth
ultrasound
o Least invasive
o Sound waves generate image
o Determined due date and position of fetus, check deformities, multiple births and sex
chorionic villus sampling (cvs)
o Sample of tissue from chorion
o Screen for genetic disorders
amniocentesis
o Sample of fetal cells are obtained in amniotic fluid → needle in amniotic sacs
o Screens for genetic disorders
o Invasive, chance of miscarriage
