Foetal Monitoring and Reproductive Technologies

Vocabulary flashcards covering foetal monitoring, maternal health effects, reproductive testing, genetics, and stages of embryonic and foetal development.

Ultrasound

The use of inaudible high frequency sound waves to produce an image of the foetus to monitor growth, identify gender, and detect problems with limbs or the placenta.

Amniocentesis

A procedure where $10-20\,mL$ of amniotic fluid is removed between the $16th$ and $20th$ week to test for chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.

Fetoscopy

A method of looking directly at the foetus through a telescope-like needle.

Smoking Effect on Baby

Nicotine narrows blood vessels, reducing oxygen to the baby and causing low body weight, premature birth, and ongoing lung development issues.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorder

A condition caused by alcohol passing through the placenta directly to the baby, resulting in brain damage, facial abnormalities, and poor memory.

Prenatal Screening

Uses blood tests and ultrasounds early in pregnancy to measure tissue space at the back of the baby's neck and determine the risk of passing on genetic disorders.

Preimplantation genetic testing

Testing done during IVF where cells are removed from the embryo and DNA is analyzed before the embryo is placed in the uterus.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

The removal and testing of cells from the foetal membrane at $10-13$ weeks to test for Down syndrome and neural tube defects.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Genetic information contained in the nucleus and mitochondria that carries the genetic code for the structure and activities of cells.

Chromosomes

Thin thread-like structures in the nucleus where DNA is stored; humans have $46$ chromosomes ($23$ pairs), while having $47$ leads to Down syndrome.

Gene Locus

The specific position or location along a chromosome where a gene is found.

Alleles

The two different forms of a single gene.

Blastocyst

A hollow ball of cells that stays in the uterus for $2-3$ days before sticking to the endometrium and attaching to the uterine wall.

Implantation

The process where the blastocyst attaches to the wall of the uterus, occurring around Day $8-9$ after fertilization.

Placenta

An organ that allows the exchange of materials between the mother and the baby, attached to the foetus by the umbilical cord.

Amnion

A membrane surrounding the embryo that acts as a shock absorber to protect the foetus and maintains a constant temperature.

Umbilical Cord Composition

A structure containing one umbilical vein carrying blood toward the baby's heart and two umbilical arteries carrying blood away from the baby's heart.

Embryo

The stage of development during the first two months of pregnancy from $3-8$ weeks.

Foetus Milestones: Week 5

Stage where the heart starts beating, the brain is growing, and the placenta begins developing.

Foetus Milestones: Week 12

The body straightens, the placenta is fully formed, and fingers and hair begin to appear.

Vernix

A protective coating that appears on the foetus alongside fine hairs around week $20$ and disappears near full term.

Full Term New Born

An average newborn at $40$ weeks is approximately $50\,cm$ long and weighs $3.5\,kg$.