2 Prenatal Development and Infancy Free Online FlashCards

When does gestational-age counting usually begin?

Gestational age is usually counted from the first day of the pregnant person’s last menstrual period, about two weeks before fertilization.

What major changes occur during the embryonic stage?

During roughly weeks 3–8 after fertilization, basic body structures and major organs begin to form.

What does the placenta do for the fetus?

The placenta supports the exchange of oxygen and nutrients and carries waste products away from the fetus.

When is a birth considered preterm?

A birth is preterm when it occurs before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

What key adjustments must a newborn make after birth?

After birth, a newborn must begin breathing air and regulating body temperature while adjusting to feeding outside the uterus.

What is the rooting reflex?

Rooting is the automatic turning of the newborn’s head toward a touch near the mouth.

What are gross-motor skills?

Gross-motor skills use large muscles; examples include rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking.

What is a common direction of motor development in infancy?

Motor control commonly develops from the head and trunk toward the arms, hands, and fingers.

What is object permanence?

Object permanence is understanding that people and objects continue to exist when they are out of sight.

What does “serve and return” mean in infant communication?

Serve and return is a responsive back-and-forth interaction, such as when a caregiver responds to an infant’s point or babble.

What is attachment in infancy?

Attachment is a lasting emotional bond between an infant and a caregiver, built through repeated experiences of care and comfort.

What can developmental milestones tell us—and what can’t they tell us?

Milestones describe skills most children demonstrate by a particular age; they are guides, not diagnoses or guarantees.