Learning about Pregnancy and Childbirth
The Beginning
Conception: union of an egg and a sperm
Uterus: muscular organ that supports the fertilized egg during pregnancy
Placenta: an organ that attaches the egg to the inner wall of the uterus.
Umbilical cord: a ropelike structure through which the mother and developing baby exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste
Amniotic sac: a thin membrane filled with fluid in which the developing baby floats
Zygote: the single cell that is formed from the union of the sperm and egg
Embryo: the mass of cells during the first eight weeks after conception
Fetus: developing of cells from the eighth week of conception until birth
Pregnancy Care
Pregnancy: time period from conception to birth
Prenatal Care: care given to both the mother-to-be and her unborn baby
Obstetrician: a physician who specializes in the care of a mother-to-be and her developing baby
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: presence of severe birth defects in babies born to mothers who drink alcohol.
Additional Notes*
Possible Problems During Pregnancy
Miscarriage: natural ending of a pregnancy before a baby is developed enough to survive on its own
Pre-eclampsia: condition in which high blood pressure, sudden weight gain, blurred vision, headaches, and swelling of hands and feet occur
Premature birth: the birth of a baby before it is fully developed
Childbirth: the process by which a baby moves from the uterus to the outside world
Labor: is series of three stages that result in the birth of the baby
Effacement: the thinning and shortening of cervix
Cesarean section: is surgical procedure in which the baby and the placenta are delivered through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus
Apgar Score: a scoring system to rate the health of a newborn baby
Postpartum Period: is the 6-8 week period after the birth of a baby
Prolactin: hormone that causes the mammary glands in the mothers breasts to produce milk
Additional Notes*