Prenatal Development, The Newborn, and The Transition to Parenthood

Cards covering vocabulary related to prenatal development, the newborn, and the transition to parenthood.

Germinal Stage

The stage from conception to 2 weeks of pregnancy.

Blastocyst

A hollow sphere of cells, with an inner cell mass that becomes the embryo and an outer trophoblast that forms the placenta.

Inner Cell Mass

A solid clump of cells in the blastocyst that later develops into the embryo.

Trophoblast

The outer ring of cells in the blastocyst that develops into the support system for pregnancy.

Infertility

Defined as the failure to conceive within a year, affecting about 12% of U.S. married women.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Techniques such as artificial insemination and surrogacy to assist with conception.

Embryonic Stage

The stage from 3 weeks to 8 weeks of pregnancy when the embryo develops.

Amnion

The inner fetal membrane that surrounds and protects the embryo.

Placenta

The organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to the embryo and removes waste products.

Organogenesis

The process during embryonic stage when major organ systems are formed.

Fetal Stage

The stage from week 9 to birth characterized by growth and organ maturation.

Sexual Differentiation

The process that occurs around the 9th week of pregnancy determining male or female fetal development.

Androgen

Hormones that promote the development of male genitalia.

Prenatal Hormones

Hormones influencing brain development, including structures like the amygdala.

Sensory Development

The sequence in which a fetus develops senses, starting with touch.

Prenatal Learning

The recognition of familiar language sounds by newborns.

Trimester

One of three divisions of pregnancy: first (0-3 months), second (3-6 months), and third (6-9 months).

Miscarriage

Natural loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation.

Induced Abortion

A medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy.

Maternal Health

The health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Diet during Pregnancy

Expectant mothers need only an extra ~300 calories a day; nutrition is vital.

Teratogens

Agents that can disrupt prenatal development and cause malformations.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

Conditions caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The leading cause of death for infants 1-12 months old.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

A condition resulting from violently shaking a newborn, causing brain injury.

Crying

A primary form of infant communication, especially in the early weeks.