PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

Stages of Prenatal Growth

Germinal Period (Conception - 2 weeks) Embryonic Period (3 8 weeks)
Fetal Period

Early (3 to 6 months)
Later (7-9 months)

GERMINAL PERIOD

Germinal Period (conception- 2 weeks)

Oocyte (female germ cell) released from ovary and travels to uterine tube. Sperm fertilizes oocyte in uterine tube.
Zygote travels up uterine tube, dividing continuously, creating groups of cells.

EMBRYONIC PERIOD

Embryonic Period (3-8weeks)

Embryo forms different layers of cells
Development of other pre-natal essentials Placenta:Where blood vessels of mother and child intertwine Umbilical cord: Connects embryo to placenta Amnion: Clear fluid sack that protects embryo

Embryonic Period (3-8weeks)

Growth: 6mm long at 4 weeks,
4cm in size at 8 weeks

High risk of congenital malformation

 started from 3rd 6th month / week 13 week 29

 first reflex action begins (quickening)

formation of fingerprints
skeleton starts to harden (rubber cartilage > bone) eyebrows and eyelids are in place fat is put on, wrinkled skin becomes smooth structurally complete, systems need time to mature growth: 3rd month 3 inches, 25 grams 6th month 14 inches, 2 pounds

 started from 7th 9th month / week 30 week 41

 can open and close eyelids, follow a light lungs are well developed brain becomes active kicking and changing position frequently due to cramped quarters growth: 7th month 16 inches, 2.5 pounds 9th month 20 inches, 7 pounds (at birth)

Prenatal Factors and Implications

Age factor Diabetes Drugs and x-rays Diet

Age factor
Teen mothers (below 16) and mothers over 35 are more exposed to the risks of miscarriages, premature births, and birth defects. The children who have down syndrome usually because the mother who was 35 years of age at time of delivery. Premature babies from young mothers are more likely to have neurological defects that will influence their coping capabilities irritability, trouble sleeping, crying, etc.

Diabetes
Central Nervous System Congenital Abnomalities ( heart & skeletal defects )

Musculoskeletal Deformities
Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Traumatic Birth Injury ( Asphyxia, facial Nerve Injury, Brachial Plexus Injury and Cesarean Section

Drugs and x-rays

Drugs caused diverse deformities (e.g. malformed arms, outer ear, missing bone in hand). In one study, children of women who smoked more than 16 cigarettes a day while pregnant had a mean IQ in the average range, but 8 points lower than those of unexposed children ( Fried, Watkinson, and Gray, 2003).

Diet
An unborn baby depends on its mothers for nourishment. To ensure the health of the developing fetus, increased amounts of many nutrients are needed. ( Such as calcium, protein, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, folic acid and etc.) The lack of calcium can result in poor bone and teeth formation, and the lack of protein can lead to a smaller fetus and mental retardation.

Activities during prenatal development

EXERCISE (SWIMMING)

READ TO YOUR BABY

ACTIVITIES DURING PRENATAL DEVELOMENT

LISTENING TO MUSIC

YOGA & PILATES

BabyCenter LLC. (1997). What Your Baby Looks Like This Week. Retrieved from <http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-week-by-week> Sherk, S. D. (n.d.). Prenatal Development. Retrieved from <http://www.healthofchildren.com/P/Prenatal-Development.html>