Chapter 9: Parenting and Prenatal and Early Childhood Development

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to fertilisation, prenatal development stages, protective and risk factors, and early childhood health and resources.

Fertilisation

The fusion of a sperm and an ovum, forming a zygote; marks the start of prenatal development (usually occurs in the fallopian tubes).

Zygote

The single cell formed when a sperm fertilises an ovum; contains 23 chromosomes from each parent (46 total).

Gamete

A reproductive cell (sperm or ovum) carrying half the number of chromosomes needed for a new individual.

Ovum

The female sex cell; formed in the ovaries before birth and matures at puberty.

Sperm

The male sex cell produced in the testes; fertilises the ovum.

Morula

Early 16-cell stage of the embryo before the blastocyst forms.

Blastocyst

Early embryo with an inner cell mass and outer layer; implants into the endometrium; placenta begins to form.

Endometrium

Lining of the uterus where implantation of the blastocyst occurs.

Germinal stage

0–2 weeks after conception; fertilisation, zygote formation, implantation and placental beginnings.

Embryonic stage

3–8 weeks after conception; major organs start to develop; neural tube forms; heart begins to beat.

Foetal stage

9–40 weeks; organs mature, growth continues, sex can be detected; lungs mature for breathing.

Placenta

An organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, enabling nutrient uptake, waste removal, and gas exchange.

Umbilical cord

Cable between placenta and fetus that carries nutrients and wastes.

Third stage of labour

Placenta expulsion; the placenta is expelled about 15–30 minutes after birth.

Teratogen

Any environmental factor that can cause developmental defects; examples include tobacco smoke, alcohol, some medicines, rubella.

Embryonic stage teratogen sensitivity

During the embryonic stage, major organs form and teratogens have the greatest potential to cause defects.

Epigenetics

The study of how gene expression is influenced by environment and life experiences.

Intergenerational health

The health and wellbeing of one generation influencing the health and wellbeing of the next.

Risk factor

A factor that increases the likelihood of adverse prenatal outcomes.

Protective factor

A factor that reduces the risk of adverse prenatal outcomes.

Identical twins

Develop from the same egg and sperm; usually same sex; may share a placenta.

Fraternal twins

Develop from two eggs and two sperms; may be same or different sex; usually have separate placentas.

Gestation

The duration of pregnancy, about 40 weeks.

Placenta function

Provides nutrients, removes waste, and exchanges gases between mother and fetus.

Health literacy

Knowledge of health and wellbeing behaviours that promote health and development.

Medicare

Australia’s universal health insurance scheme offering subsidised medical care - federal resource

Dad and Partner Pay

Government-funded pay for new dads/partners during the first year after birth or adoption.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby helpline

Government information and advice service on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, baby development and sleeping.

RaisingChildren.net.au

Australian government parenting website that provides information to optimise child health and wellbeing.

My Health and Development Record

A resource given to newborns to help parents record milestones, health, development and immunisations.

Maternal and Child Health Service (Victoria)

State service offering free health checks and support for families with children from birth to school age.

Teratogens examples

Tobacco smoke, alcohol, some prescription medications, rubella (and other diseases) can harm prenatal development.