Develop. Psych. - Chp. 3

Conception

• sperm goes through cervix to ovum

• chemical reaction upon merging (fertilization)

Zygote

a fertilized ovum

Cleavage

when the zygote splits down the middle, forming 2 identical cells (continues rapidly)

Blastocyte

fluid-filled sphere where embryo develops

Implantation

blastocysts burrows into uterine wall after it hatches from zona pellucida

Amnionic Sac

membrane holding amniotic fluid & the embryo

• provides…temp. regulation, cushioning, & protection from shocks

Fallopian Tubes

a long, thin tube that connects the ovaries to the uterus

Placenta

new organ that forms at 4 weeks

• provides…exchange nutrients/waste/gas, thermo-regulation, infection protection, produces hormones for pregnancy,

Neural Tube

formed by ectoderm & folds after 22 days to develop into the CNS

Indifferent Gonads

• gonad in an embryo that has not yet differentiated into testes or ovaries

• start differentiating at 6-8 weeks (finishes at 12-16 weeks)

Critical Period

the extent to which exposure to a teratogen disrupts prenatal development depends on the stage of prenatal development when exposure occurs
*during these periods where the organism is more susceptible

Sleeper Effects

negative affect of a teratogen that doesn’t show up till later

Dilation

cervix opening

Stages of Prenatal Development

1. Germinal

2. Embryonic

3. Fetal

Germinal Stage

• 0-2 weeks

• period of the zygote

• cell division

• blastocyst

• implantation

Embryonic Stage

• 3-8 weeks

• Develops…

  • Embryo

  • Chorion (outer layer enclosing embryo)

  • Amnion

  • Umbilical Cord

  • Placenta

  • Indifferent Gonads

  • Neural Tube

  • Heart

  • Liver & Spleen

  • Neurons

  • External Features

Fetal Stage

1. 1st Trimester: conception - 12 weeks
   *everything begins forming; reflexively move

2. 2nd Trimester: 13-27 weeks
   *movements felt by mom; lanugo, vernix caseosa, glia cells, neural synapses form; sensitive to sound/light

3. 3rd Trimester: 28 weeks - birth
   *rapid gain in neural connectivity/organization; responsiveness to external stimulation increases; sleep-wake cycles; lots of body growth

Lanugo

fuzzy hair that protects the skin in the womb

Vernix Caseosa

greasy material that protects the fetal skin

Fetal Presentation

1. Cephalic

2. Breech

3. Transverse

Cephalic

baby is head first

Breech

baby is bottom first (instead of head)

Transverse

baby is horizontal in uterus
*typically leads to cesarean

Braxton Hicks Contractions

abdominal discomfort, no pattern

Age of Viability

• age at which fetus may survive if born prematurely

• 22-26 weeks

Placenta Previa

placenta attaches low in the uterus & covers the opening of the cervix

Placenta Abruptio

placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery

Childbirth Settings & Methods

1. Prepared/Natural Childbirth

2. Hospital

3. Non-Hospital = less than 1% of US births, usually assisted by midwifes (low/no risk pregnancy)

4. Midwives

5. Doulas = caregiver who provides social support to an expectant mother

6. Spinal

7. Epidural

8. Water = relaxes mother, shortens labor, & reduces need for medication

9. Upright = shortens labor & reduces complications

10. Medication

11. Induction = break amnion, give oxytocin

12. Instrument Delivery

13. Cesarean = major abdominal surgery; done when labor progresses too slowly, fetus is in breech/transverse position, or fetus/mother is in danger

Teratogens

Principles:

1. Complicated Effects (diff. ones can cause the same birth defect & variety of birth defects can result from the same one)

2. Sleeper Effects

Teratogens can be Legal & Illegal:

1. Alcohol: NO safe level

2. Cigarette Smoking

3. Drugs

4. Maternal Experiences: stress

5. Environmental Hazards: toxic fumes

Maternal/Paternal Age: 35+ years = geriatric
*more concern

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Diagnostic Criteria:

1. slow physical growth

2. facial abnormalities

3. brain injury - impairment in a minimum of 3 areas of functioning

*it’s a spectrum

Umbilical Cord

conduit b/t embryo/fetus & placenta

Signs of labor

1. False Labor

2. Lightening

3. Bloody Show

False Labor

• AKA prodromal labor

• Irregular Contractions

Lightening

baby “drops” hours or even weeks before (moving head down into birth position)

Bloody Show

thick, pinkish vaginal discharge, lose mucus plug (part of cervix dilation)

Stage 1 of Childbirth

• Dilation = cervix opening

• Transition = peak of labor, hardest part

• Effacement = thinning of cervix

Stage 2 of Childbirth

• Delivery

• Crowning - ring of fire

Stage 3 of Childbirth

birth of placenta

The Newborn

• Average: 20in long & 7.5lbs

• Skull bones aren’t fused

• Some born w/ lanugo

• Covered w/ vernix caseosa

• Taste & smell are well developed

• Vision is blurry

• Auditory sense is the best developed

States of Arousal

1. Waking Activity: movement, irregular breathing, fussy (1-4hrs)

2. Quiet Alertness: looks around, relaxed, even breathing (1-3hrs)

3. Drowsiness: falling asleep, waking up (varies)

4. Regular Sleep: relaxed, slow regular breathing (8-9hrs)

5. Irregular Sleep: movement, REM, irregular breathing (8-9hrs)

Preterm & Small for Date

• Preterm = born before 37 weeks

• Small for Date = small for gestational age; most at risk for developmental challenges

Low Birthweight

• below the typical birthweight

• lower the birthweight the bigger the issue (physical & emotional)

• outcomes are best when we have intervention (economic disadvantage comes into play)

• CDC says premature & LBW accounts for 35% of infant mortality cases

Kangaroo Care

skin-to-skin contact that helps regulate/soothe the baby
*best immediate intervention

APGAR

1. appearance (color)

2. pulse (heart rate)

3. grimace (reflex irritability)

4. activity (muscle tone)

5. respiration (resp. effort)

*initial assessment right after birth

NBAS

1. neurological competence

2. attention

3. excitability

4. ability to settle down

*assessment that happens later on