NSC 170C1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Gestational Hypertension, Neural Tube Defect, Gestational Diabetes
13 Nov 2016
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Unit 11: nutrition for your life, environment, and world. The prenatal period begins with conception and ends with birth. Lasts about 40 weeks and it often divided into three 13-week trimesters: embryo: human organism during the first 8 weeks after conception, fetus: human organism from 8 weeks after conception until birth. During 2nd and 3rd trimesters the fetus continues to develop and grow until it is physically mature enough to be born. First trimester is a critical stage b/c nutrient deficiencies or exposure to toxic compounds can have devastating effects on the embryo. Placenta: organ of pregnancy that connects the uterus to the embryo/fetus via the umbilical cord: fetus obtains nourishment through this, transfers nutrients/oxygen to the fetus. The importance of birth weight: a healthy baby weights 6 to 8 pounds, low-birth-weight infants generally weight less than 5 pounds, weight depends on supply of nutrients it receives through the placenta.
