Key Terms

1.0 Images of Life-Span Development: Jim and Sara, An Expectant Couple

Prenatal Development

germinal period

blastocyst

trophoblast

implantation

embryonic period

endoderm

ectoderm

mesoderm

placenta

umbilical cord

amnion

organogenesis

fetal period

miscarriage

abortion

teratogen

teratology

ectopic pregnancy

rubella

sexually transmitted diseases (STDS)

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

environmental hazards

toxoplasmosis

2. Birth

dilation

birth

afterbirth

precipitate

anoxia

breech position

cesarean section

tranquilizer

sedative

analgesic

oxytocin

standard childbirth

Leboyer method

prepared, or natural, childbirth

Lamaze method

sibling

full-term infant

preterm infant

low-birthweight infant

stimulation

Apgar Scale

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

4.0 The Postpartal Period

pospartal period

involution

bonding

5. Contemporary Concerns

health care circle

massage

Essay and Critical Thinking Questions

Comprehension and Application Essay Questions

We recommend that you follow either our guidelines for "Answering Essay and Critical Thinking Questions," or those provided by your instructor, when preparing your response to these questions. Your answers to these kinds of questions demonstrate an ability to comprehend and apply ideas discussed in this chapter.

1. Describe development during the germinal, embryological, and fetal periods. Also indicate and explain what factors might contribute to complications at specific times during gestation.

2. What is organogenesis, and why is this concept important to the process of development?

3. Discuss medical, ethical, psychological, and personal issues pertinent to the decision to have an abortion.

4. What is a teratogen? Also indicate at least two examples of teratogens and their specific effects.

5. Compare and contrast the risks to expectant mothers who are either teenagers, twenty-something, or thirty-something.

6. Describe the stages of birth, and also explain three birth complications.

7. Imagine that you are about to give birth. What questions about cesarean sections and the use of drugs during delivery would be important to you? What reasons would lead you to accept or reject a cesarean section and drugs such as tranquilizers, sedatives, and analgesics during delivery?

8. Imagine that you are an expectant parent. What would you do and learn in a parent education class on pregnancy, prenatal development, and the three most common childbirth strategies?

9. Why and how have fathers and siblings become more involved in childbirth? Also discuss the pros and cons of this involvement.

10. How do preterm and low-birthweight infants differ?

11. What would you learn about your newborn from the Apgar and Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scales?

12. Explain why some claim that the postpartal period should be termed the fourth trimester.

13. A newborn baby often raises a question as to whether the mother will return to work outside the home or stay home with the baby. Explain how the advice of Eisenberg, Murkoff, and Hathaway would help you make this decision.

14. Summarize the evidence for and against the claim that touch and massage improves the growth, health, and well-being of infants and children.