Prenatal Development and Labor Terms

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to prenatal development, childbirth, and related medical terms.

Amniocentesis

A prenatal test that involves removing a small amount of amniotic fluid to analyze for specific problems.

Chorionic villi sampling

Sampling of placental tissue for microscopic and chemical examination to detect fetal abnormalities.

Ectopic pregnancy

Pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, commonly in the uterine tubes.

Embryo

The developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month.

Fetus

The developing human organism from 9 weeks after conception to birth.

Miscarriage

The loss of a pregnancy within the first 20 weeks.

Ultrasound imaging

Technique using high-pitched sound waves to form an image of the fetus.

Zygote

The first stage of a developing baby; a single cell formed by the union of egg and sperm.

Anemia

A lack of a normal number of red blood cells.

Obstetrician

A physician specializing in medical care for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Preeclampsia

A disorder involving high blood pressure, protein in urine, and fluid retention.

Rh factor

Presence or lack of antigens on red blood cells; can affect pregnancies.

Listeriosis

A disease that can cause fever and miscarriage, spread by contaminated food.

Cesarean delivery

A surgical birth where a fetus is removed through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.

Contraction

The tightening and relaxing of the uterus muscles during labor.

Episiotomy

A surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vagina for childbirth.

Labor

The birthing process.

Postnatal

Time after birth.

Transition

The last part of active labor.

Vernix

A greasy white material covering a newborn's skin.

Effacement

The thinning of the cervix.

Dilation

The opening of the cervix in preparation for birth.

Breech

When the fetus's buttocks or feet are positioned to come out first during birth.

Full term pregnancy

Lasts approximately 280 days or 40 weeks.

Genetic abnormality

A common cause of miscarriages often occurring early in pregnancy.

Factors increasing miscarriage risk

Age over 35, previous miscarriage, family history, certain diseases, or environmental hazards.

Amniotic fluid

Fluid that cushions the developing baby and facilitates growth.

Weight gain in third trimester

A fetus typically triples its weight, gaining about half a pound each week.

Prenatal testing risks

Amniocentesis and Chorionic villi sampling have increased risks of miscarriage.

First trimester zygote development

Begins as a zygote, travels to the uterus, and becomes an embryo after 8 weeks.

Pregnancy blood test

Detects hormones present only in pregnant women's urine or blood.

Weight gain during pregnancy

Most women should gain between 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.

Exercise during pregnancy

Low impact and moderately intense activities are recommended for pregnant women.

Negative effects of drug use during pregnancy

Increased risk of miscarriage and fetal complications.

Fetal alcohol disorders

Problems caused in fetuses due to alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

Diseases affecting pregnancy

Pregnant women can contract diseases that negatively impact the fetus.

Signs of pregnancy

Missed period, nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, frequent urination.

Breaking of water

When the amniotic sac ruptures, often signaling the start of labor.

False labor

Mild contractions that may feel like labor but do not indicate actual labor onset.

Real labor

Characterized by intense contractions starting in the lower back spreading to the abdomen.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Practice contractions experienced during pregnancy that do not indicate true labor.

Apgar scale

A scoring system used to assess a newborn's physical condition after birth.

Hospital stay after vaginal delivery

Typically lasts one to two days.

Hospital stay after c-section

May last several days.

Stages of labor

1st stage: Contractions and dilation; 2nd stage: Birth; 3rd stage: Expulsion of placenta.

Reasons for c-section

Small pelvis, breech position, multiple fetuses, placenta issues, etc.

Pica

An eating disorder characterized by craving and eating non-food items.

Complications from long labor

May threaten the health of the mother or fetus.