Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn Baby

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, stages, and definitions from the lecture on prenatal development, labor stages, newborn health assessment, and infant reflexes.

Germinal Stage

The first and shortest stage of the prenatal period (fertilization to 2 weeks), characterized by methodical cell division and attachment of the organism to the wall of the uterus.

Embryonic Stage

The prenatal period from 2 weeks to 8 weeks, during which the organism is designated an embryo and develops three distinct layers of tissue.

Fetal Stage

The prenatal period from 8 weeks to birth, formally starting when differentiation of major organs has occurred and characterized by rapid physical growth.

Ectoderm

The outer embryonic layer that forms the skin, hair, teeth, sense organs, brain, and spinal cord.

Endoderm

The inner embryonic layer that forms the digestive system, liver, pancreas, and respiratory system.

Mesoderm

The middle embryonic layer that forms the muscles, bones, blood, and circulatory system.

Infertility

The inability to conceive after 12 to 18 months of trying to become pregnant, affecting approximately 15% of couples.

Miscarriage

The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy, which occurs in 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies.

Stage 1 of Labor

The initial labor stage characterized by uterine contractions that widen the cervix to allow the baby's head to pass through.

Stage 2 of Labor

The labor stage typically lasting around 90 minutes where the baby's head moves through the cervix and birth canal, ending when the baby completely leaves the mother's body.

Stage 3 of Labor

The quickest and easiest labor stage taking a few minutes, during which the child's umbilical cord and placenta are expelled from the mother.

Apgar Scale

A standard measurement system evaluating five health qualities (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration), scored 0 to 2 each for an overall score ranging from 0 to 10.

Premature Infants

Infants born early by three weeks or more, or weighing less than 5½ pounds.

Eye Blink Reflex

A newborn reflex that protects the infant from strong stimulation.

Rooting Reflex

A newborn reflex where the infant's head turns toward the source of stimulation to help find the nipple.

Sucking Reflex

A newborn reflex that permits feeding.

Moro Reflex

A newborn reflex involving an embracing motion that may have helped the infant cling to the mother in the evolutionary past.

Palmar Grasp Reflex

A newborn reflex where the infant grasps a finger, preparing the infant for voluntary grasping.

Tonic Neck Reflex

A newborn reflex where the infant lies in a fencing position, which may prepare the infant for voluntary reaching.

Stepping Reflex

A newborn reflex that prepares the infant for voluntary walking.

Babinski Reflex

A newborn reflex where toes fan out and curl as the foot twists in when the sole of the foot is stroked.