Week 3: Nursing Care During Normal Pregnancy & Fetal Development – Vocabulary Flashcards

Mwa mwa mwa

Union of an ovum and a spermatozoon, usually occurring in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.

Fertilization

Attachment of the blastocyst to the endometrium, beginning the pregnancy proper.

Implantation

Early embryonic structure that implants; consists of an inner cell mass and trophoblast.

Blastocyst

Outer layer of the blastocyst that forms the placenta and fetal membranes.

Trophoblast

Stage from ovulation to fertilization.

Ovum Period

Fertilized egg from conception until implantation.

Zygote

Developing human from implantation to the end of 8 weeks’ gestation.

Embryo

Developing human from 8 weeks until birth.

Fetus

Collective term for the embryo/fetus and its supporting structures throughout pregnancy.

Conceptus

Earliest gestational age (about 24 weeks or 500–600 g) at which a fetus can potentially survive ex utero.

Age of Viability

Specialized endometrium of pregnancy; has basalis, capsularis, and vera regions.

Decidua

Portion of decidua lying directly beneath the embryo; forms the maternal part of placenta.

Decidua Basalis

Part of decidua that covers the implanted conceptus.

Decidua Capsularis

Remaining uterine lining not in direct contact with the conceptus.

Decidua Vera

Temporary organ serving fetal respiratory, excretory, nutritive, and endocrine functions.

Placenta

First placental hormone; basis of pregnancy tests, maintains corpus luteum early in pregnancy.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

“Hormone of women”; promotes uterine growth and breast development in pregnancy.

Estrogen (Placental)

“Hormone of mothers”; maintains endometrial lining and reduces uterine contractility.

Progesterone

Placental hormone that promotes maternal metabolism of fats and glucose, stimulates breast growth.

Human Placental Lactogen (HPL)

Fetal lifeline containing one vein (oxygenated) and two arteries (deoxygenated).

Umbilical Cord

Zygote cell capable of forming any cell type in the body or placenta (first 4 days).

Totipotent Stem Cell

Embryonic cell with potential to become many—but not all—cell types (about day 5–8).

Pluripotent Stem Cell

Partially specialized cell that can develop into a limited range of cells.

Multipotent Stem Cell

Growth pattern that proceeds from head toward tail.

Cephalocaudal Development

Outer germ layer giving rise to CNS, PNS, skin, hair, nails, and sense organs.

Ectoderm

Middle germ layer forming heart, circulatory system, upper urinary system, and reproductive organs.

Mesoderm

Inner germ layer forming lining of GI and respiratory tracts and lower urinary tract.

Endoderm

Critical period (to 8 weeks) when major organs form; fetus is highly susceptible to teratogens.

Organogenesis

Any agent (drug, infection, alcohol, etc.) that can disturb fetal development.

Teratogen

First functional fetal system; heartbeat audible by Doppler at 10–12 weeks.

Cardiovascular System (Fetal)

Fetal vessel that shunts oxygenated blood from umbilical vein to inferior vena cava, bypassing liver.

Ductus Venosus

Opening between right and left atria allowing blood to bypass fetal lungs.

Foramen Ovale

Connection between pulmonary artery and aorta diverting blood away from lungs.

Ductus Arteriosus

Oxygen-high-affinity hemoglobin; higher concentration (≈17 g/dL) than adult blood.

Fetal Hemoglobin

Phospholipid mixture produced by fetal lungs that lowers alveolar surface tension.

Surfactant

Major surfactant component that surges after 35 weeks gestation.

Lecithin

Early surfactant phospholipid used with lecithin to assess lung maturity (L/S ratio).

Sphingomyelin

Embryonic structure that forms brain and spinal cord; closure depends on adequate folic acid.

Neural Tube

Neural tube defect involving herniation of meninges through spinal defect.

Meningocele

Produced by fetal pancreas; does not cross placenta from mother.

Insulin (Fetal)

Complete blockage of a hollow organ (e.g., intestinal atresia).

Atresia

Narrowing of a bodily passage, such as part of GI tract.

Stenosis

Congenital defect where intestines remain in umbilical cord at birth.

Omphalocele

Abdominal wall defect with herniated intestines free in amniotic cavity.

Gastroschisis

First neonatal stool composed of fetal waste products; dark green/black and sticky.

Meconium

Fine downy hair covering fetus that helps with insulation.

Lanugo

Cheesy protective skin coating preventing maceration in utero.

Vernix Caseosa

Mother’s first perception of fetal movement, usually at 16–20 weeks.

Quickening

Thermogenic fat deposited in fetus around kidneys, sternum, and neck by 20 weeks.

Brown Fat

Undescended testes; common in preterm males, may require surgery.

Cryptorchidism

Embryo 0.75 cm; rudimentary heart bulge; limb buds present.

Age-Related Milestone: 4 Weeks

Fetus 2.5 cm, 20 g; organogenesis complete; heart beating with chambers.

Age-Related Milestone: 8 Weeks

Fetus 7–8 cm; reflexes present; sex distinguishable; tooth buds form.

Age-Related Milestone: 12 Weeks

Fetus 10-17 cm; lanugo formed; heart tones audible by stethoscope; sex visible on ultrasound.

Age-Related Milestone: 16 Weeks

Fetus 25 cm, 223 g; quickening felt; hair and vernix present; antibody production starts.

Age-Related Milestone: 20 Weeks

Fetus 28-36 cm, 550 g; surfactant production begins; eyelids open; threshold of viability.

Age-Related Milestone: 24 Weeks

Fetus ≈1.2 kg; alveoli almost mature; testes start descent; retina vessels fragile.

Age-Related Milestone: 28 Weeks

Fetus 1.6 kg; subcutaneous fat builds; Moro reflex active; iron stores accumulate.

Age-Related Milestone: 32 Weeks

Fetus 42-48 cm; more fat and glycogen; most assume vertex position.

Age-Related Milestone: 36 Weeks

Fetus 48-52 cm, ~3 kg; fetal hemoglobin conversion begins; soles well-creased.

Age-Related Milestone: 40 Weeks

Measurement of fundal height in centimeters to estimate gestational age.

McDonald Rule

Maternal record of fetal kicks to assess well-being.

Daily Fetal Movement Count

External monitoring of fetal heart rate accelerations with movement to assess oxygenation; non-invasive.

Non-Stress Test (NST)

Use of sound to elicit fetal heart accelerations during NST.

Vibroacoustic Stimulation

Imaging technique using sound waves to visualize fetus and placenta.

Ultrasonography

Combination of NST and ultrasound evaluating fetal breathing, movement, tone, amniotic fluid, and heart rate.

Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Advanced imaging used to assess detailed fetal anatomy when ultrasound limited.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Blood tests measuring specific proteins/hormones to assess risk of fetal anomalies.

Maternal Serum Screening

First-trimester invasive test obtaining placental tissue for genetic analysis.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Needle aspiration of amniotic fluid for genetic, enzyme, or lung maturity studies.

Amniocentesis

Guided needle sampling of fetal cord blood for diagnosis or therapy.

Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS)

Endoscopic visualization of fetus and amniotic cavity, can allow therapeutic procedures.

Fetoscopy