CHLD DVLP 04

chapter 4 of child development textbook

term

the typical period of time between conception and the birth of a baby

neonate

a newborn child

braxton-hicks contractions

the first (usually painless) contractions of childbirth

prostaglandins

hormones that stimulate uterine contractions

oxytocin

a pituitary hormone that stimulates labor contractions

efface

to thin

dilate

to widen or enlarge

episiotomy

a surgical incision in the area between the birth canal and the anus that widens the vaginal opening, preventing random tearing through childbirth

transition

the initial movement of the head of the fetus into the birth canal

midwife

an individual who helps women in childbirth

anesthesia

a method that produces partial or total loss of the sense of paina

natural childbirth

a method of childbirth in which women use no anesthesia and are educated about childbirth and strategies for coping with discomfort

lamaze method

a method of childbirth in which women are educated about childbirth, learn to relax and breathe in patterns that conserve energy and lessen pain, and have a coach (usually the father), present during childbirth. also termed prepared childbirth

cesarean section

a method of childbirth which the neonate is delivered through a surgical incision in the abdomen

anoxia

a condition characterized by lack of oxygen

hypoxia

a condition characterized by less oxygen than is required

schizophrenia

a severe psychological disorder that is characterized by disturbances in thought and language, perception and attention, motor activity, and mood and by withdrawal and absorption into daydreams or fantasy

breech presentation

a position in which the fetus enters the birth canal buttocks first

preterm

born at or before completion of 37 weeks of gestation

small for dates

a description of neonates who are unusually small for their age

lanugo

fine, downy hair that covers much of the body of neonates especially preterm babies

vernix

an oily, white substance that covers the skin of neonates, especially preterm babies

respiratory distress distress syndrome

a cluster of breathing problems including weak and irregular breathing, to which preterm babies are particularly prone

incubator

a heated, protective container in which premature infants are kept

postpartum period

the time that immediately follows childbirth

postpartum depression

severe, prolonged depression that afflicts 10-20% of women after delivery and is characterized by sadness, apathy, and feelings of worthlessness

bonding

the process of forming bonds of attachment between parent and child

apgar scale

a measure of a newborns health that assesses appearance, pulse, grimace, acivity level, and respiratory effort

NBAS

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

NNNS

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale

reflex

an unlearned stereotypical response to a stimulus

neural

of the nervous system

rooting reflex

a reflex in which infants turn their mouths and heads in the direction of a stroking of the cheek or corner of the mouth

moro reflex

a reflex in which infants arch their back, fling out their arms and legs, and draw them back toward their chest in response to a sudden change in position

grasping reflex

a reflex in which infants grasp objects that cause pressure against their palms

stepping reflex

a reflex in which infants take steps when held under the arms by leaning forward so that their feet press against the ground

babinski reflex

a reflex in which infants fan their toes when the underside of their feet are stroked

tonic-neck reflex

a reflex in which infants turn their head to the side, extend their arm and leg on that side, and flex the limbs on the opposite side

visual acuity

Keenness or sharpness of vision

visual accomodation

the automatic adjustments made by the lenses of the eyes to bring objects into focus

convergence

the inward movement of the eyes as they focus on an object that is drawing nearer

intensity

brightness

saturation

richness or purity of a color

hue

color

rods

in the eye, rod-shaped receptors of light that are sensitive to intensity only. rods permit black and white vision

cones

in the eye, cone-shaped receptors of light that transmit sensations of color

amplitude

the maximum vibration of a soundwave. the higher the amplitude of sound waves, the louder they are

pitch

the highness or lowness of a sound, as determined by the frequency of sound waves

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

periods of sleep during which they are likely to dream, as indicated by rapid eye movements

non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep

periods of sleep during which we are unlikely to dream

electroencephalograph (EEG)

an instrument that measures electrical activity of the brain

sudden unexpected infant death (SUID)

the sudden death of a baby less than one year old for which there is no obvious cause

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

the death, while sleeping, of apparently healthy babies who stop breathing for unknown medical reasons. also called crib death

medulla

a part of the brainstem that regulates vital and automatic functions such as breathing and the sleep-wake cycle

serotonin

a neurotransmitter that is involved in the responsiveness of the medulla, emotional responses such as depression, and motivational responses such as hunger