Biology

Pregnancy and Childbirth

964 Questions

This hub covers essential biology questions on pregnancy, fetal development, and childbirth. Topics include the placenta, maternal physiology, and the stages of labor. These concepts are frequently tested in general science sections of various competitive examinations.

Placenta and fetal nutritionStages of laborMaternal immune systemPregnancy complications

Pregnancy and Childbirth Questions

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is true of congenital abnormalities seen in the newborn baby?

  1. Deformations are typically due to an insult in the first trimester whereas malformations occur due to insults in the second or third trimester.

  2. Congenital anomaly allows researchers to identify clusters of abnormality and may allow earlier identification of a teratogenic source.

  3. Deformities of the skull bones are extremely rare and need urgent neurosurgical referral.

  4. An abnormal uterus or breech position does not cause limb abnormalities to occur.

  5. Talipes equinovarus responds best to early corrective surgery by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is important to monitor congenital abnormalities to understand their aetiology. Preconception folic acid supplementation to prevent spina bifida shows the benefit of recognizing high-risk groups.

Multiple choice

In a woman a twin pregnancy is identified at 12 weeks' gestation. One placenta and one separate amniotic sac are identified. In which of the following scenarios, is this is most likely to arise?

  1. Ovulation induction

  2. ICSI with single embryo transfer

  3. Natural conception

  4. Family history of multiple pregnancy in sister

  5. Maternal age 35 – 39 years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This increases the risk of monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins by 5 times.

Multiple choice

What does a test tube baby mean?

  1. Transplantation in the uterus

  2. Fertillisation in vitro

  3. Fertilisation in vitro & then transplantation in the uterus.

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Test tube baby refers to a baby conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), where fertilization occurs outside the body in a laboratory dish (in vitro) and the resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus for implantation and development. Options A and B are incomplete - they describe only one part of the process.

Multiple choice

Umbilical cord is the lifeline between

  1. mother and the child

  2. mother and the unborn child

  3. Father and the child

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The umbilical cord is the vital connection between the fetus (unborn child) and the placenta, which is attached to the mother's uterine wall. Through this cord, oxygen, nutrients, and blood are delivered to the developing baby, while waste products are removed. The 'unborn' specification is crucial because after birth, this connection is severed.

Multiple choice

Amniocentosis is a method for

  1. Determination of foetal sex

  2. Separation of amino acids

  3. Inducing abortion

  4. Determination of the sequence of amino acids in a proteins
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Amniocentesis (note the correct spelling) is a prenatal test where a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted from the amniotic sac. While it can determine fetal sex, its primary purpose is detecting chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Sex determination for selective abortion is illegal in India.

Multiple choice

Gestation period in woman is of ____.

  1. 380 days

  2. 280 days

  3. 250 days

  4. 200 days
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The average human gestation period is 280 days (40 weeks) from last menstrual period. This is the standard duration used in medical practice.

Multiple choice

Connection between fetus and the mother is called ____.

  1. fertilization

  2. implantation

  3. placenta

  4. ovulation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The placenta is the special organ that forms the connection between the fetus and the mother's uterus, allowing for nutrient and gas exchange. Fertilization is the fusion of gametes, implantation is when the embryo attaches to the uterus, and ovulation is the release of an egg - none of these represent the ongoing fetal-mother connection.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is true about congenital abnormalities seen in a newborn baby?

  1. Deformations are typically due to an insult in the first trimester whereas malformations occur due to insults in the second or third trimester.

  2. Congenital anomaly registers allow researchers to identify clusters of abnormality and may allow earlier identification of a teratogenic source.

  3. Deformities of the skull bones are extremely rare and need urgent neurosurgical referral.

  4. An abnormal uterus or breech position does not cause limb abnormalities.

  5. Talipes equinovarus responds best to early corrective surgery by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is important to monitor congenital abnormalities to understand their aetiology.