Prenatal Development

Fertilization

Also known as Conception

Sex cells

Process by which sperm and ovum

Zygote

Combinations of sex cells to create a single cell

Cell Division

Duplicates itself again and again

Ovulation

Rupture of mature follicle in either ovary and expulsion of its ovum which occurs every month until menopause

Dizygotic Twins

Also known as Fraternal Twins

Monozygotic Twins

Resulted from the cleaving of one fertilized egg and are generally genetically identical

Heredity

Genetic transmission of heritable characteristics from parents to offspring

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Long, spiraling ladder whose steps are made of pairs of chemical unit called based

Based

Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine

Mitosis

Cell division of non-sex cells

Meiosis

Cell Division of sex cells

Chromosomes

Coils of DNA of smaller segments called genes

Mutation

Mistake in copying genetic code which creates permanent alteration in genetic material

Sex chromosomes

23rd pair which indicates the baby’s sex (XX, female: XY, male)

Phenotype

Observable characteristics

Genetype

Underlying genetic makeup

Epigenesis

Environment can influence when and which genes turn on and off

Homozygous

if two alleles are the same

Heterozygous

if two alleles are different

Dominant

allele that is always expressed or shows up as a trait in that person

Recessive

usually doesn’t show unless paired with another recessive trait

Polygenetic Inheritance

interaction of several genes

Down Syndrome

Extra copy of chromosome 21

Klinefelter Syndrome

Extra X Chromosome (XXY)

Fragile X Syndrome

Abnormality in X chromosome causes ID

Turner Syndrome

Missing X chromosome for females

XXY Syndrome

Extra Y chromosome

Carriers

carry one bad copy of recessive gene and one good one

Genotype-Environment Interaction

effects of similar environment conditions on genetically different individuals

Genotype-Environment Correlation

environment often reinforces genetic differences

Passive Correlations:

parents tend to provide environment that encourages the development of that trait

Reactive or Evocative:

children with differing genetic makeups evoke different reactions from others, other people react to the children’s genetic makeup

Active

actively selects or create experiences consistent with their genetic tendencies

Niche-Picking

tendency to seek out environments compatible with one’s genotype

Nonshared Environmental Effects

result from the unique environment in which each child in a family grows up

Infertility

inability to conceive a child

In Vitro Fertilization

eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish

Ultrasound Sonography

high frequency sound waves are directed into the pregnant woman’s abdomen

Gestation

period between conception and birth. Between 37 and 41 weeks

Gestational Age

dated from the first day of an expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle

Cephalocaudal Principle

development proceeds from head to the lower extremities

Proximodistal

development proceeds from the center to outer parts of the body

Germinal Stage

From fertilization to about 2 weeks of gestational age. Zygote enters into cell division (mitosis) while making its way to the fallopian tube

Ectoderm

outer layer (becomes outer layers of skin, nails, hair, teeth, sensory organs, and the nervous system)

Endoderm

inner layer (becomes digestive system)

Mesoderm

middle layer (becomes inner layers of skin, muscles, skeleton, and excretory and circulatory systems)

Amniotic Sacs

encloses the developing embryo, protecting it and giving it a room and grow

Placenta

allows oxygen, nourishment, and wastes to pass between mother and embryo

Umbilical Cord

connects the embryo to the placenta

Embryonic Period

From 2 to 8 weeks (First 2 monts)

Major body systems (respiratory, digestive, and nervous system) develop known as Organogenesis

Fetal Period

From 8 weeks to Birth

Appearance of the first bone cells

Final stage of gestation

Teratogen

environmental agent that can interfere with normal prenatal development

Teratology

field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

characterized by a combination of retarded growth, face and body malformations, and disorders of the central nervous system

Maternal smoking

was identified to be the most important factor for low-birth weight babies

Tobacco

also increases the risks of miscarriage, growth retardation, stillbirth, SIDS, etc.

Caffeine

has slightly increased risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight babies

Rubella

almost certain to cause deafness and heart defects to babies

Toxoplasmosis

caused by parasite in the bodies of cattle, sheep, and pigs, and in the intestinal tracts of cats that causes fetal brain damage, severely impaired eyesight, seizures, miscarriage, etc

Diabetic mothers

are most likely to have babies that have heart and neural tube defects

Labor

process of giving birth

Parturition

series of uterine, cervical, and ther changes which begins 2 weeks before the delivery

Braxton-Hicks Contractions

false contractions

Real labor contractions

are more frequent, rhythmic, and painful, and they increase in frequency and intensity

Midwifery

profession that provides health care to women during pregnancy, birth, and even postpartum period

Doula

caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support for the mother before, during, and after childbirth

Assessing the Newborn

APGAR Scale

A Appearance

P- Pulse

G - Grimace

A - Acitivity

R - Respiration

Anoxia

lack of oxygen

Hypoxia

reduced oxygen supply

Pre-term Infants

born three weeks or more before pregnancy reach full term (before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation

Extremely Preterm

born less than 28 weeks gestation

Postpartum Period

Period after childbirth

Lasts for about 6 weeks or until the mother’s body has completed the adjustment and returned to nearly prepregnant state

Postpartum Blues

2-3 days after birth they feel depressed, anxious, and upset

Postpartum Depression

involves a majordepressive episode that typically occurs about four weeks after delivery or at least a twoweek period of having trouble coping with their daily task

Bonding

Formation of connection, especially a physical bond between parents and the newborn in the period shortly after birth

Newborn MUST have close contact with the mother in the first few days of like to develop optimally is NOT true