Prenatal Development

Question 1

What is prenatal development?

Answer 1

The process which a human embryo or fetus grows and develops inside the mother’s womb. The prenatal period spans from conception to birth

Question 2

What are the three stages of prenatal development?

Answer 2

1) Germinal stage (0-2 weeks)
2) Embryonic stage (3-8 weeks)
3) Fetal stage (9 weeks to birth)

Question 3

What factors affect prenatal development?

Answer 3

• Genetics
• Maternal stress, age and health
• Environmental exposures
• Lifestyle choices
• Socioeconomic factors

Question 4

How do genetics play a role in fetal development?

Answer 4

Genetic information determines the aspects like sex, physical characteristics and vulnerability to diseases / genetic conditions

Question 5

How does the environment affect a fetal development?

Answer 5

The development can be affected by the mother’s health, nutrition and exposure to harmful substances

Question 6

What is conception?

Answer 6

The joining of a sperm and egg, also known as fertilization, in the fallopian tube

Question 7

What happens during the germinal stage? (0-2 weeks)

Answer 7

• A zygote is created then makes its journey down the uterus. It divides many times during this process.
• Two separate structures are created, the embryo and the placenta
• Zygote later turns into a blastocyst. It arrives at the uterus and implants into the uterine lining. If successful, body begins producing hormones to support a pregnancy

Question 8

What happens during the embryonic stage? (3-8 weeks)

Answer 8

The blastocyst begins to take on distinct human characteristics and becomes an embryo. By the end of the eighth week, most of the embryo’s organs systems form and take shape

Question 9

What happens during the fetal stage? (9 weeks to birth)

Answer 9

• Embryo turns to a fetus
• Major organs and body systems continue to grow and mature
• Gets its assigned sex at around nine weeks
• Can move its limbs
• Most of the growth (in weight & length), happen in this stage

Question 10

Why is prenatal care important?

Answer 10

• To monitor the health and development of both mother and fetus throughout pregnancy
• Helps assess the health and development of the fetus to provide information and offer guidance
• Allows for early detection of any developmental abnormalities and implement preventive measures

Question 11

Methods of monitoring fetal growth & development?

Answer 11

• Ultrasound
• Blood tests
• Fetal heart rate monitoring
• Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

Question 12

What is Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)?

Answer 12

Invasive tests that can diagnose chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders

Question 13

What is medically assisted procreation? (MAP)

Answer 13

A range of medical techniques and procedures used to help individuals / couples conceive a child when unable to do so through natural means

Question 14

What are some methods of medically assisted procreation? (MAP)

Answer 14

• Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
• Artificial insemination

Question 15

What is the process of In Vitro Fertilization? (IVF)

Answer 15

Extracting eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are then transferred to the woman’s uterus

Question 16

What is the process of Intrauterine Insemination? (IUI)

Answer 16

Sperm is specially prepared and directly inserted into the woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation. This is less invasive and often less expensive but generally has a lower success rate

Question 17

What is cryopreservation?

Answer 17

Eggs, sperm, and embryos are frozen and stored for future use. Useful for individuals undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, that might affect their fertility, or for those who wish to delay parenthood

Question 18

What is surrogacy?

Answer 18

It involves a third party (surrogate) who carries and delivers a baby for another individual or couple

Question 19

What are the benefits of medically assisted procreation? (MAP)

Answer 19

• Increased chances of pregnancy
• Genetic Screening
• Family building for all: provides options for singles, LGBTQ+ couples and those with fertility issues to build families

Question 20

How do genetic factors affect prenatal development?

Answer 20

• Genetic disorders: down syndrome, sickle cell anemia
• Chromosomal abnormalities: Extra or missing chromosomes can lead to developmental problems or miscarriage

Question 21

How do environmental factors affect prenatal development?

Answer 21

• Exposure to Teratogens
• Infections: Maternal infections such as rubella, zika virus, etc.
• Nutrition: Leads to low birth weight, premature birth, etc.
• Radiation: High levels of exposure can cause birth defects and increase risk of miscarriage

Question 22

What are teratogens?

Answer 22

Substances that can cause birth defects, including alcohol, tobacco smoke, illicit drugs and environmental pollutants

Question 23

What maternal health factors affect prenatal development?

Answer 23

• Age: Advance maternal or very young women have a higher risk of complications that can affect prenatal development
• Chronic health conditions: Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity
• Mental health: Maternal stress, anxiety & depression can affect hormonal levels
• Lifestyle: Physical activity, diet and overall lifestyle

Question 24

How do socioeconomic factors affect prenatal development?

Answer 24

• Access to healthcare
• Socioeconomic status: Limited access to healthcare, nutritious food and educational resources, contributing increased risks to the pregnancy

Question 25

What other factors affect prenatal development?

Answer 25

- Multiple pregnancies: Twins or triplets - Maternal immunity and vaccinations

Question 26

Why is a multiple pregnancy risky?

Answer 26

Higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight compared to single pregnancies