Prenatal Development and Birth Flashcards
The period of prenatal development that takes place in the first two weeks of conception. Includes the creation of the zygote, continued cell division, and the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall
Germinal period
The inner layer of cells that develops during the germinal period which later develop into an embryo
Blastocyst
The outer layer of cells that develops in the germinal period. Provide nutrition and support for the embryo
Trophoblast
The period of prenatal development that occurs two to eight weeks after conception. The rate of cell differentiation intensifies, support systems for the cells form, and organs appear.
Embryonic period
The part of prenatal life-support system that consists of a sac containing a clear fluid in which the developing embryo floats
Amnion
Part of the prenatal life-support system that connects two arteries and one vein that connect the baby to the placenta
Umbilical cord
A prenatal life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and offspring intertwine
Placenta
Organ formation that takes place during the first two months of prenatal development
Organogenesis
The period between two months after conception and birth in typical pregnancies
Fetal period
First trimester of pregnancy
First 3 months
Second trimester of pregnancy
Middle 3 months
Third trimester of pregnancy
Last 3 months
The generation of new neurons that continues through the remainder of the prenatal period but is largely complete by the end of the fifth month after conception
Neurogenesis
Any agent that causes a birth defect
Teratogen
The field study that investigates the cause of birth defects
Teratology
A cluster of abnormalities that appear in the offspring of some mother who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
First stage of birth
Uterine contractions are 15 to 20 minutes apart. Lasts an average of 6 to 12 hours.
Second stage of birth
Baby’s head starts to move through the cervix and birth canal. Lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Third stage of birth
Also called afterbirth, when the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes are detached and expelled.
A caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support for the mother before, during, and after childbirth.
Doula
Method of childbirth which attempts to reduce the mother’s pain by decreasing her fear through information about childbirth and instruction in relaxation techniques to reduce pain during delivery
Natural childbirth
Childbirth strategy which includes a special breathing technique to control pushing in the final stages of labor and a more detailed anatomy and physiology course
Prepared childbirth
Surgical procedure in which the baby is removed from the mother’s uterus through an incision made in her abdomen
Cesarean delivery
The baby’s position in the uterus that causes the buttocks to be the first part to emerge from the vagina
Breech position
A widely used method of assessing the health of newborns at one and five minutes of birth. Evaluates an infant’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body color, and reflex irritability
Apgar Scale
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.
Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS)
An “offspring” of the NBAS, the NNNS provides an assessment of the newborn’s behavior, neurological and stress responses, and regulatory capacities.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS)
An infant that weighs less than 5 pounds 8 ounces at birth
Low birth weight infants
An infant born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation
Preterm infants
An infant whose birth weigh is below normal when the length of pregnancy is considered
Small for date infants
The period after childbirth when the mother adjusts, both physically and psychologically, to the process of childbirth. Lasts about six weeks or until her body has completed its adjustment
Postpartum period
