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5: Prenatal Development and Birth

  • Page ID
    234007
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    Learning Objectives

    After completing Chapter Five students will be able to:

    • Discuss the evolutionary perspective on development
    • Describe how genes impact human development
    • Describe important reproductive challenges and choices
    • Characterize how heredity and environment interact to produce individual changes in development
    • Describe the three periods of prenatal development
    • Describe potential hazards during prenatal development
    • Discuss the stages, transitions and decisions involved in birth
    • Characterize the development of low-birth-weight infants
    • Describe three measures of neonatal health and responsiveness
    • Explain the physical and psychological aspects of the postpartum period

    • 5.1: The Role of Genetics
      Jim Springer and Jim Lewis, identical twins separated at 4 weeks, were reunited at 39 and found they had striking similarities, like jobs, habits, and preferences. Their story contributed to the Minnesota Twin Family Study, which examined nature vs. nurture over 20 years. The study underscores the impact of genetics on development, a theme also explored in the film "Three Identical Strangers.
    • 5.2: Concerns in Conception
      The page provides information about chromosomal abnormalities and gene-linked abnormalities, detailing various conditions such as Down Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and others. It discusses prenatal testing methods like ultrasounds, chorionic villi sampling, amniocentesis, and maternal blood screening, which help detect potential genetic conditions.
    • 5.3: The Germinal Period
      The page explains the stages of prenatal development after conception, starting with the Germinal Period where the zygote forms and implants into the uterine wall. This is followed by the Embryonic Period where organ formation begins and vital systems such as the endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm layers develop. In the Fetal Period, significant growth occurs, including the development of fingers, toes, and reflexes.
    • 5.4: Pregnancy Concerns
      A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, calculated from the first day of a woman's last menstrual period, equating to nearly ten months. Early pregnancy symptoms include missed periods, breast changes, fatigue, and nausea. Teratogens, such as alcohol, drugs, and environmental hazards, pose risks to fetal development, potentially causing birth defects or health issues. Medical conditions like rubella, syphilis, and genital herpes can also impact the fetus.
    • 5.5: Birth
      The birth experience is transformative, especially for first-time parents. Women preparing for birth may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, with the cervix thinning and a strong desire for the pregnancy to conclude. Birth has three stages: the first stage involves initial contractions and cervical dilation; the second involves the baby's passage through the birth canal; and the third involves the expulsion of the placenta.
    • 5.6: After Birth
      This page provides insights into birth practices, challenges faced by preterm and low birth weight infants, postpartum issues, and bonding between parents and newborns. It highlights different assessment scales for infants and discusses the postpartum period's psychological impacts. Additionally, it explores various cultural childbirth practices worldwide, contrasting them with those in the United States, and reflecting on the natural versus medical view of childbirth.


    This page titled 5: Prenatal Development and Birth is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Deirdre Budzyna and Doris Buckley (Remixing Open Textbooks with an Equity Lens (ROTEL)) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.