Prenatal Development and Birth

Question 1

The period of prenatal development that takes place in the first two weeks of conception. Includes the creation of the zygote, continued cell division, and the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall

Answer 1

Germinal period

Question 2

The inner layer of cells that develops during the germinal period which later develop into an embryo

Answer 2

Blastocyst

Question 3

The outer layer of cells that develops in the germinal period. Provide nutrition and support for the embryo

Answer 3

Trophoblast

Question 4

The period of prenatal development that occurs two to eight weeks after conception. The rate of cell differentiation intensifies, support systems for the cells form, and organs appear.

Answer 4

Embryonic period

Question 5

The part of prenatal life-support system that consists of a sac containing a clear fluid in which the developing embryo floats

Answer 5

Amnion

Question 6

Part of the prenatal life-support system that connects two arteries and one vein that connect the baby to the placenta

Answer 6

Umbilical cord

Question 7

A prenatal life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and offspring intertwine

Answer 7

Placenta

Question 8

Organ formation that takes place during the first two months of prenatal development

Answer 8

Organogenesis

Question 9

The period between two months after conception and birth in typical pregnancies

Answer 9

Fetal period

Question 10

First trimester of pregnancy

Answer 10

First 3 months

Question 11

Second trimester of pregnancy

Answer 11

Middle 3 months

Question 12

Third trimester of pregnancy

Answer 12

Last 3 months

Question 13

The generation of new neurons that continues through the remainder of the prenatal period but is largely complete by the end of the fifth month after conception

Answer 13

Neurogenesis

Question 14

Any agent that causes a birth defect

Answer 14

Teratogen

Question 15

The field study that investigates the cause of birth defects

Answer 15

Teratology

Question 16

A cluster of abnormalities that appear in the offspring of some mother who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy

Answer 16

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Question 17

First stage of birth

Answer 17

Uterine contractions are 15 to 20 minutes apart. Lasts an average of 6 to 12 hours.

Question 18

Second stage of birth

Answer 18

Baby’s head starts to move through the cervix and birth canal. Lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

Question 19

Third stage of birth

Answer 19

Also called afterbirth, when the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes are detached and expelled.

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Doula

Question 21

Method of childbirth which attempts to reduce the mother’s pain by decreasing her fear through information about childbirth and instruction in relaxation techniques to reduce pain during delivery

Answer 21

Natural childbirth

Question 22

Childbirth strategy which includes a special breathing technique to control pushing in the final stages of labor and a more detailed anatomy and physiology course

Answer 22

Prepared childbirth

Question 23

Surgical procedure in which the baby is removed from the mother’s uterus through an incision made in her abdomen

Answer 23

Cesarean delivery

Question 24

The baby’s position in the uterus that causes the buttocks to be the first part to emerge from the vagina

Answer 24

Breech position

Question 25

A widely used method of assessing the health of newborns at one and five minutes of birth. Evaluates an infant’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body color, and reflex irritability

Answer 25

Apgar Scale

Question 26

A measure that is used in the first month of life to assess the newborn’s neurological development, reflexes, and reactions to people and objects.

Answer 26

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS)

Question 27

An “offspring” of the NBAS, the NNNS provides an assessment of the newborn’s behavior, neurological and stress responses, and regulatory capacities.

Answer 27

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS)

Question 28

An infant that weighs less than 5 pounds 8 ounces at birth

Answer 28

Low birth weight infants

Question 29

An infant born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation

Answer 29

Preterm infants

Question 30

An infant whose birth weigh is below normal when the length of pregnancy is considered

Answer 30

Small for date infants

Question 31

The period after childbirth when the mother adjusts, both physically and psychologically, to the process of childbirth. Lasts about six weeks or until her body has completed its adjustment

Answer 31

Postpartum period