Prenatal Development

natal

time of birth

conception-2 weeks

germinal stage

weeks 2-8

embryonic stage (critical period for development)

weeks 9-40

fetal stage

gestational age

Period of time from mother’s 1st day of last menstrual period to the current date.

Usually, fetal development is measured by ____. Full term or full gestation is considered to be 37 weeks, but usually lasts 40 weeks, can last 42.

differentiation

Embryo cells rapidly multiply and begin to take on specific functions.

This process occurs most rapidly during the first trimester, which means the first trimester is also when the fetus is at most risk for issues.

fetal development factors

maternal age (35+ is advanced maternal age), maternal nutrition (folic acid deficiencies are a major concern in developing nation), diseases, prenatal care (access to ultrasounds, alcohol, drug use)

trimesters

week 1-12: conception and development of major body systems

weeks 13-27: major development happens here

weeks 28-40/42: final touches, head down positioning

full term

36 weeks

amniotic sac

• filled with amniotic fluid, surrounds the fetus throughout the pregnancy

• amniotic fluid protects the fetus from injury

•  helps to regulate the temperature of the fetus

placenta

• an organ shaped like a flat cake that only grows during pregnancy

• attached to the uterine wall 

• works to exchange nourishment and waste products between mother and fetus

umbilical cord

• ropelike cord connecting the fetus to the placenta

• Contains two arteries and a vein, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus

APGAR score

Devised by Virginia Apgar in 1952 as a quick way to assess if a baby needs immediate attention.

Score of 7 or less, require some intervention. Predictor of a developmental disability.

Assigned at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth.  Again at 10 minutes with resuscitation.

APGAR scale to look for (consists of 10 points total, 2 points for each item)

Appearance- Color

Pulse- heart rate

Grimace- reflex irritability

Activity- muscle tone

Respirations

birth defects

structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part or parts of the body (e.g., heart, brain, foot). 

causes of birth defects

genes, maternal behaviors, environment

teratogens

Substances that may produce physical or functional defects in the human embryo or fetus after the pregnant woman is exposed to the substance. Alcohol and cocaine are examples of such substances.

premature birth

Birth prior to the 37th week of gestation. 

Birth before the 32nd week is considered highest risk of neonatal death.

1 in 10 newborns in US

Associated with half of all children born with a developmental disability

low birth weight

When a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

Does not have to be premature in order to have ___

Preterm birth and ___ account for about 17% of infant deaths.

failure to thrive

children whose current weight or rate of weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age and gender (post-natal).

• Child continues to display low weight, stunted height, low head circumferences.

• Growth has stopped or slowed.

• Does not meet developmental milestones.

• Causes- medical conditions, environmental causes such as poverty, lack of bond with parent, neglect/abuse, refusal to eat, poor feeding (NIH, 2016)

• Can result in permanent mental, emotional and/or physical disability.

neonatal sepsis

infection in the bloodstream

meconium aspiration

occurs when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium (their first stool) and amniotic fluid into their lungs, leading to breathing difficulties and potentially serious complications

pulmonary hypoplasia

a condition characterized by small, underdeveloped lungs that can affect not only breathing but also heart function, ability to feed, hearing and overall development

seizure

a sudden, temporary disruption in brain electrical activity that can cause changes in behavior, movement, sensation, or consciousness

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)

a serious condition where a baby's blood vessels in the lungs remain constricted after birth, leading to high blood pressure in the lungs and difficulty breathing

hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

a condition that occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen and blood flow. This can happen before, during, or shortly after birth

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

structural problems with the heart that are present at birth, affecting how blood flows through the heart and body.

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar; blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg/dL