PRENATAL

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES

From about the second week to the eighth week of prenatal development the
embryo is busy growing and changing into a more human like figure. During this time
an important milestone is the development of the placenta and the umbilical cord.
The placenta, exchange[s] food, waste, blood, and oxygen with the mothers blood
supply. The placenta connects to the mother by way of the umbilical cord at the
abdomen (later forming the belly button) (Mossler, 2011 p. 2.2). It is important for
mothers to consume a diverse array of nutritious foods throughout the pregnancy. A
healthy diet ensures that the developing fetus receives adequate amounts of vitamins
and minerals to aid in healthy physical development.
The second trimester of prenatal
development holds many milestones that mark
typical development. During this time the
mother can begin to feel the movements of the
fetus. The fetus reacts to lights and sounds
outside of the womb. The second trimester also
brings about the age of viability. At about 22
weeks of gestation a child born could potentially
survive outside the womb. Many organs are welldeveloped, but there would be many complications as the fetuses lungs are not fully
developed and the brain has not developed enough to control breathing movements
(Berk, 2013).
In the third trimester of prenatal development there are several areas of
physical growth. The brain is developing at an exponential rate as well as the body.
Mossler (2011) says, At the beginning of the third trimester (week 26) the average
fetus is 14 inches (35.5 cm) long and weighs about 1.7 pounds (760 g) (p. 2.2).
Throughout the course of the last weeks of pregnancy the fetus gains another five or
so pounds and grows another seven inches. With this rapid rate of growth the fetus
fills the uterus and fetal movement becomes less (Berk, 2013).

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
A fetus begins to develop language skills while still in the womb through various
means. One of the first ways is by hearing the mothers voice. Berk (2013) describes a
study in which mothers read aloud The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss during the last six

weeks of their pregnancy. Once the infants were born they were
taught to turn on recordings of their mothers voice by sucking on
nipple. The infants sucked the hardest when they heard the
recording of their mother reading The Cat in the Hat. This study
suggests that while still in the womb children are gaining an
understanding of their native language.

Another example of prenatal language development occurs

when the fetus displays heart rate changes due to other sounds
heard while in the womb. Berk (2013) says,
fetuses distinguish the tone and rhythm of different voices and sounds: They
show a systematic heart rate changes in response to a male versus a female
speaker, to the mothers voice versus a strangers, to a stranger speaking their
native language (English) versus a foreign language (Mandarin Chinese), and to
a simple familiar melody (descending tones) versus an unfamiliar melody
(ascending tones) (p. 94).
Exposure to these types of stimuli allow infants to pick up on the sounds of their
native language when learning to speak throughout the rest of their development.

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
There are so many cognitive gains while a fetus resides within the womb. At
just seven weeks the production of neurons begins. These neurons travel to their
permanent locations to, form the major parts of the brain (Berk, 2013 p. 91).
These neurons allow the fetus to develop their sense of touch, smell, taste, sight, and
sound. By the third month the fetuses brain is able to send signals to other parts of
its body. This new development allows the fetus to kick, clench its fists, and suck its
thumb.
Reactions to these outside stimuli create connections within the brain. As the
fetus senses light it may turn away or shield its face in response. A fetuses response
to certain sounds and voices indicate that they are learning about their environment.
Berk (2013) describes another study in which fetuses were exposed to repeated
sounds. The study showed that initially the fetuses displayed an increase in heart
rate. After five or six minutes they began to adapt to the sound and their heart rates
slowed. When the sound was reintroduced after a brief period of time their heart
rates slowed more quickly. This indicates that fetuses have the ability to remember at
least for a short time.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

By about 20 weeks the fetus can be stimulated and annoyed by sounds. The
emotional reactions to these stimuli will probably not boast as much prevalence as
when the child is outside the womb. The fetus cannot be heard crying in reaction to a
startling sound but they can let the mother know through movements such as kicks.
Berk (2013) describes a study where, more active fetuses during the third trimester
became 1-year-olds who could better handle frustration and 2-year-olds that who
were less fearful (p. 93). These indirect ways of socially and emotionally connecting
with people outside the womb are important to a childs development.

SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT

One social factor that influences the prenatal period of development would be
the support of the mothers family and friends. A pregnant mother is going through
changes that may or may not be similar to the women around them. Some women
experience morning sickness while others feel exhausted all the time. Having people
there to talk with is immensely helpful for mothers. The better and more involved the
support system is with the mothers pregnancy the easier it will be, come time to
have the baby.

CULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT

Each culture views pregnancy and prenatal development differently. One
cultural factor that influences prenatal development would be how the mothers eat.
In some countries food is readily available and people can choose when and what to
eat with ease. Other cultures only eat specific things based on religious beliefs or
availability of food. These types of cultural differences effect the infants growth and
development.

SIGNS OF ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

During the prenatal period there are some circumstances that may signal some
atypical development. Since there is no way to take the baby out and physically
examine it for abnormalities, doctors provide a choice of prenatal testing to
determine if a fetus possesses certain developmental problems. Berk (2013) describes
amniocentesis as, The most widely used technique. A hollow needle is inserted
through the abdominal wall to obtain a sample of fluid in the uterus. Cells are
examine for genetic defects (p. 85). Genetic defects can vary from Down syndrome
to abnormalities in sex chromosomes.
Other factors that can signal attention to possible atypical development
include things that can be seen during an ultrasound. Measurements of the fetus
reveals if it is gaining weight, the amount of amniotic fluid present, and the size of
vital organs. If there is something that is not growing in a typical way other tests may

be conducted to find the cause. This test can aid physicians in detecting heart or
brain abnormalities. Another advantage of being able to take a peek inside is
determining if the fetus is in the correct position for birth. A fetus that is in a breech
position, head up butt down, may cause complications during birth (Berk, 2013).

STRATEGIES FOR FAMILIES

The prenatal period marks an exponential amount of growth. Human beings
start with the division of cells and become infants that are able to cry, breathe, suck,
move, and learn. There are many ways to influence a childs learning and
development during this period. The most important way is for the mother to be
healthy, this means eating well and maintaining some kind of activity throughout the
pregnancy. Providing proper nutrition allows the fetus to obtain nourishment during
this very important phase.
Another way parents can influence their childs
learning is to read to their children. As the Cat in the Hat
experiment described earlier displayed, a fetus is already
able to make the distinction between their mothers voice
and that of another female or strangers. There are not
many ways that a mother can connect with their baby
beyond their voice and what they put into their bodies until the baby is born. During
this time it is important that the mother maintains a healthy lifestyle, free of drugs,
alcohol, and limited stress.