Prenatal Development

How long does the germinal stage last?

The first two weeks of prenatal development.

What is a blastocyst?

A ball of cells that eventually forms an embryo.

What is a zygote?

A fertilized egg.

During which weeks does the embryonic stage occur?

Weeks three to eight.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at twenty-two days?

The brain and spine start to form.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at five weeks?

The head forms and the heart begins to beat.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at six weeks?

Arms and legs start to form.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at eight weeks?

Most organs are formed.

What major organs begin to function during the fetal stage?

Intestines, kidneys, liver, and brain; sex organs also form.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at eighteen weeks?

Parents can feel the fetus moving.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at nineteen weeks?

The fetus can hear.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at twenty-seven weeks?

The fetus begins to breathe.

What significant developmental milestone occurs at thirty-seven weeks?

The fetus’s lungs are almost done developing.

What is a teratogen?

An outside factor that negatively affects fetal development.

How can drinking alcohol during pregnancy affect the fetus?

It may lead to small head size, low body weight, learning disabilities, and hyperactive behavior, among others.

What is the grasping reflex?

The reflex that causes babies to hold onto whatever is placed into their hand.

What is the rooting reflex?

The reflex that causes babies to turn towards whatever touches their cheek to look for food.

What is the stepping reflex?

The reflex that causes babies to move as though walking when vertical on a flat surface.

What is the sucking reflex?

The reflex causing babies to suck on whatever is put in their mouth.

What is the swimming reflex?

The reflex causing babies to hold their breath when placed in water.

What characterizes an easy baby?

Consistent biological schedules, adaptability to change, positive responses to new situations.

What characterizes a slow to warm baby?

Difficulty with change, little movement, and a rather negative temperament.

What characterizes a difficult baby?

Immense difficulty with change, intense responses to stimuli, negative temperament, and inconsistent biological schedules.

What is a critical period in development?

A period that starts and ends abruptly and must be met for proper development.

What is a sensitive period in development?

A period that starts and ends gradually and is a good time to have a need met for proper development.