PREGNANCY ANTEPARTUM

STAGES OF FETAL DEVELOPMENT

In just 38 weeks, a fertilized egg (ovum) matures from a single cell carrying all the necessary genetic material to a fully developed fetus ready to be born Terms used to denote Fetal Growth:

OVUM - from ovulation to fertilization ZYGOTE - from fertilization to implantation EMBRYO - from implantation to 5-8 weeks FETUS - from 5-8 weeks until term CONCEPTUS - developing embryo or fetus and placental structures throughout pregnancy

FERTILIZATION

Also referred to as conception, impregnation, or fecundation It is the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon Usually occurs in the outer third or the fallopian tube, the ampullar portion Fertilization is never a certain occurrence, because it depends on at least 3 separate factors: 1. Equal maturation of both sperm and ovum 2. The ability of the sperm to reach the ovum 3. The ability of the sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida and cell membrane

END OF 4TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length: 0.75- 1cm Weight: 400 mg The spinal cord is formed and fused at the midpoint Lateral wings that will form the body are folded forward to fuse at the midline Head folds forward and becomes prominent, representing about one third of the entire structure The back is bent so that head almost touches the tip of the tail The rudimentary heart appears as a prominent bulge on the anterior surface Arms and legs are budlike structures

END OF 8TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length: 2.5 cm ( 1 inch ) Weight: 20 g Organogenesis is complete The heart, with a septum and valve, is beating rhythmically Facial features are definitely discernible Arms and legs have developed External genitalia are present , but sex is not distinguishable by simple observation The primitive tail is regressing Abdomen appears large because the fetal intestine is growing rapidly

END OF 12TH GESTATIONAL WEEK (1ST TRIMESTER)

Length: 7-8 cm weight;: 45 g Nail beds are forming on fingers and toes Spontaneous movements are possible, although they are usually too faint to be felt by the mother Some reflexes such as babinski reflex, are present Bone ossification centers are forming Tooth buds are present Sex distinguishable by outward appearance Heartbeat is audible through Doppler technology

END OF 16TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length: 10-17 cm Weight: 55-120 g Fetal heart sounds are audible with an ordinary stethoscope Lanugo (the fine, downy hair on the back and arms of newborns, which serves as a source of insulation for body heat) is well formed Liver and pancreas are functioning Fetus actively swallows amniotic fluid, demonstrating an intact but uncoordinated swallowing reflex, urine is present in amniotic fluid Sex can be determined by ultrasonography

END OF 20TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length: 25 cm Weight: 223 g Spontaneous fetal movements can be sensed by the mother Meconium is present in the upper intestine Brown fat( a special fat that will aid in temp regulation at birth, begins to be formed behind the kidneys, sternum and posterior neck) Vernix caseosa ( which serves as a protective skin covering during intrauterine life, begins to form Definite sleeping and activity pattern are distinguishable

END OF 24TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

SECOND TRIMESTER Length: 28 -36 cm 550 g Passive antibody transfer from mother to fetus begins Meconium is present as the rectum Active production of lung surfactant begins Eyebrows and eyelashes are well defined Eyelids previously fused since the 12th week, are now open When fetuses reach 24 weeks, or 601 g, they have achieved a practical low end age of viability if they are cared for in modern intensive care facility

END OF 28TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length; 35-38 cm Weight: 1,200 g Lung alveoli begin to mature, and surfactant can be demonstrated in amniotic fluid Testes begin to descend into the scrotal sac from the lower abdominal cavity The blood vessels of the retina are thin and extremely susceptible to damage from high oxygen administration

END OF 32ND GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length:

38-43 cm Weight; 1,600 g Subcutaneous fat begins to be deposited (the former stingy little old man appearance is lost) Fetus responds by movement to sounds outside the womans body Active moro reflex is present Birth position (vertex or breech) may be assumed Finger nails grow to reach the end of fingertips

END OF 36TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

Length:

42-48 cm Weight: 1,800- 2,700 g Body stores of glycogen, iron, carbohydrates and calcium are deposited Amount of lanugo begins to diminish Sole of the foot has only 1 or 2 crisscross creases, compared with the full crisscross pattern that will be evident at term

END OF 40TH GESTATIONAL WEEK

THIRD TRIMESTER
Length:

48- 52 cm Weight; 3,000 g Fetus kicks actively hard enough to cause the mother considerable discomfort Vernix caseosa is fully formed Finger nails extend over the fingertips Creases on the soles of the feet cover at least two thirds in the surface