Fetal Development

Lecture Objectives
Student will be able to:
differentiate assessment techniques for
fetal well-being and maturity.
determine the use of the electronic
fetal monitors.

Fertilization

Fetal Development
I.
II.
III.

Pre-embryonic 2 weeks
Embryonic 2 8 weeks
Fetal Period 9th week - birth

Major Organs of Pregnancy

Embryonic

Membranes

Chorion

Outermost membrane
that develops into the placenta

Amnion

innermost membrane
produces amniotic fluid

Amniotic Fluid
Cushions

embryo and fetus

Controls temp
Promotes growth, allows movement
Prevents fetal adherence to the amnion
700-1000 normal
Oligohydramnios less than 500 ccs
Hydramnios- more than 1000 ccs
Polyhydramnios more than 2000 ccs

Placenta
Responsible

for nutrition, respiratory and

excretory exchange between mother and
fetus
Two parts: maternal and fetal side
Umbilical Cord
2

arteries and 1 vein

Whartons jelly

FETAL CIRCULATION
The

lung and liver are

nonfunctional

Ductus Venosus
Blood

bypasses the liver through the

ductus venosus and goes directly to the
inferior vena cava.

Foramen Ovale
Shunts

blood from right atrium to left

atrium, enables oxygen rich blood to bypass the lungs and circulate into the
body.

Ductus Arteriosus
Blood

from the superior vena cava

passes through the right ventricles and
pulmonary artery through the ductus
arteriosus into the descending aorta on
its way to get oxygenated in the
placenta.

etal Circulation
continued)