Prenatal Development, Pregnancy, and Birth

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on prenatal development, pregnancy, and birth.

Uterus

Female reproductive structure.

Endometrium

Lining of the uterus.

Cervix

Neck of the uterus.

Fallopian tubes

Tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus.

Ovaries

Female reproductive organs where ova reside.

Ova

Female reproductive cells containing the mother's genetic material.

Testes

Male reproductive organs that continually manufacture sperm.

Penis

Male reproductive organ.

Ovulation

Process where ovum is expelled from ovary and suctioned into fallopian tube.

Fertilization

Union of sperm and egg, where one sperm penetrates the ovum and nuclei combine.

Germinal Stage

First two weeks of prenatal development, from fertilization to full implantation.

Zygote

The single cell formed through fertilization.

Blastocyst

Structure formed in early development of mammals, possessing an inner cell mass which subsequently forms the embryo.

Implantation

Attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall.

Placenta

Organ that nourishes the developing fetus.

Embryonic Stage

Weeks 3-9 of prenatal development, characterized by fast-paced organ construction.

Proximodistal sequence

Development from the center of the body outward.

Cephalocaudal sequence

Development from head to toe.

Mass to Specific sequence

Development from large, undifferentiated structures to smaller, more defined structures.

Fetal Stage

Week 9 to birth; final phase of prenatal development where baby grows dramatically and body structures are refined.

Age of viability

The point when a baby can survive if born prematurely (now 22-23 weeks).

Gestation Period

Period of pregnancy (267-277 days).

Trimester

One of the three-month periods into which pregnancy is divided

Quickening

The moment in pregnancy when the mother starts to feel or perceive fetal movements in the uterus.

Teratogens

Substances that may cross the placenta to harm a developing embryo or fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A condition resulting from alcohol exposure during prenatal development.

Cortisol

Stress hormone that can impact fetal development.

Down syndrome

A genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra, or part of a copy of chromosome 21.

Nondisjunction

Cell division error that causes an extra chromosome or piece to adhere to a chromosome pair. such as in down syndrome.

Dominant disorders

Genetic disorders where inheriting one copy of the gene results in the disease.

Recessive disorders

Genetic disorders where inheriting two copies of the abnormal gene results in the disease.

Sex-linked single-gene disorders

Genetic disorders carried on the mother's X chromosome.

Genetic Counselor

Professional who counsels couples about the risk of genetic disorders.

Infertility

The inability to conceive after a year of unprotected sex.

In Vitro Fertilization

Fertilization outside of the womb where eggs are harvested and fertilized in a Petri dish.

Dilation and Effacement

First stage of birth.

Natural childbirth

Delivery without medication, with the help of a midwife or doula.

Cesarean section

Procedure to remove fetus manually through an incision in abdominal wall and uterus.

Epidural

Regional anesthesia used during labor to block pain.

Apgar Scale

First test immediately after birth, rating color, muscle tone, respiration, heart rate, and reflex response.

Low birth weight (LBW)

Body weight of less than 5½ lbs.

Very low birth weight

Body weight of less than 3¼ lbs.