Module 14: Pregnancy, Growth, and Development

Pregnancy is a very exciting time! So many physical changes occur in both the mother's body and in their developing offspring that it's helpful to have a separate module detailing these changes. In this module, you'll use the information learned in the female reproductive system module to highlight the differences between  pregnant and non-pregnant bodies, as well as during labor and delivery and lactation. You'll also learn about how fertilization occurs, and then the development from a single-celled zygote to an embryo, fetus, and then neonate after birth. This will provide a good foundation for you to work with pregnant women and their babies both before and after birth in a medical setting.

(Image: "Pregnancy Progression", Andrew Bardwell, https://www.flickr.com/photos/abardwell/396050289, CC license). 

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Define vocabulary terms related to pregnancy, growth, and development.
2. Identify the anatomical structures occurring uniquely in the pregnant person, embryo, fetus, and neonate.
3. Describe the physiological functions occurring uniquely in the pregnant person, embryo, fetus, and neonate.
4. Explain the principle of homeostasis occurring uniquely in the pregnant person, embryo, fetus, and neonate.
5. Predict physiological outcomes of common disorders occurring uniquely in the pregnant person, embryo, fetus, and neonate.
6. Explain the interrelationships between the pregnant person’s, embryo’s, fetus’s, and neonate’s anatomical and physiological systems, including form, function, and real-world scenarios.

To achieve these objectives: 

1. Read the Module 14 Introduction 
   
2. Read and view the materials in the Module 14 Pressbooks book
3. Complete the Module 14 Quiz and Module 14 Case Study.

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities