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• Embryo Period
– Lasting from the 3rd through the 8th prenatal week. During
which the major organs and anatomical structures take shape
• Fetus Period
– Lasting from the 9th prenatal week until birth. During this
period, all major organ systems begin to function and the fetus
grows rapidly
The Germinal Period (2 weeks)
• While traveling down the fallopian tubes towards the
uterus, cell division occurs thru mitosis.
– The outer layer of cells develops into tissues that protect and
nourish the embryo
IMPLANTATION
• The Blastocyst approaches the uterus (6 to 10 days) and
attaches itself to the wall of the uterus thru small burr
like tendrils which tap into the mother’s blood supply.
– Placenta—an organ formed from the lining of the uterus and the chorion,
that provides for respiration and nourishment of the unborn child and the
elimination of its metabolic waste
– Umbilical cord—a soft tube containing blood vessels that connects the
embryo to the placenta
THE PERIOD OF THE EMBRYO
2 wks to 2 months
• The embryonic disk differentiates into 3 cell layers:
• All of the structures which will be present when the baby is born
are formed at the end of 2 months.
– Body systems become interconnected. Nervous and Muscular system allow
for kicking, twisting of body
– All of these developments in a mere 3 months (1st trimester) and when the fetus
is only 3 inches long and weighs less than an ounce
THE SECOND TRIMESTER
• Motor activities become refined actions such as thumb sucking
or kicking strong enough to be felt by the mother
• By the end of 2nd trimester, fetus visual and auditory senses become
functional
THE THIRD TRIMESTER
• All organs mature rapidly/ preparing the fetus for birth
• Signs of viability.
• Organized and consistent heart rate activity
• Gross motor activity
• Sleepiness/waking activity (Determined thru fetal monitoring
techniques).
– A month later, the fetus has grown an extra pound or two and
grown a inch or two longer due to fat accumulation
(regulation of body temp).
– By the middle of the 9th month, fetal activity slows and sleep
increases
• Fetus is now so large that the most comfortable position is head down
at the base of the uterus/ limbs curled in a fetal position
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
• Teratogens
– External agents such as viruses, drugs, chemicals, and
radiation that can harm a developing embryo or fetus
by causing physical deformities, severely restricting
growth, blindness, brain damage, and even death
– Not all embryos or fetuses are equally affected by a teratogen (genes and
prenatal care play a vital role)
• The longer the exposure to or higher the dose of a teratogen, the greater the
severity of harm
– This is also the time when a woman may not even know that
she is pregnant that the embryo is most vulnerable to
teratogens.
Maternal Diseases
• Some diseases are small enough to cross the placental barrier and affect
developing embryo (immature immune system)
– Rubella (German measles)—mothers who contract this early in pregnancy delivered
babies who were blind, deafness, cardiac abnormalities, and mental retardation (most
serious during 1st tri but impactful during 2nd.
• Genital Herpes—kill about 1/3 affected newborns, cause blindness, brain damage,
neurological disorders
• AIDS—worldwide, nearly 4 million women of childbearing age carry this virus and can
transmit it to their young. ZDV an antiviral drug used to treat aids improve longevity of
life however, those affected by aids will eventually die due to complication
Continued
• The Thalidomide Tragedy
– Drug used in the 1960s to reduce the occurrence of morning
sickness.
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
– Used mid 1940’s to 1965—synthetic hormone formally
prescribed to prevent miscarriages, found to produce cervical
cancer in female offsprings and genital tract abnormalities in
males
CIGARETTE SMOKING
• Cigarette smoking found to cause
spontaneous abortion.
– Low birth weight
• Heroin
– Few physical defects, increased risk for miscarriages,
premature deliveries, SIDS
• Cocaine
– Increased risk for physical defects.
– Problems with blood restriction/pressure.
– Miscarriages/premature births
MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Mothers generally advised to gain 25/30 pounds. Doctors now focus on a healthy (high protein
and calorie) and nutritious diet
– Severe malnutrition stunts growth. Also, additional effects depends on the trimester
• Continue malnutrition after birth leads to irritability which affect the parent/child attachment and
reduce the amount of facilitated play and supportive interaction that could foster healthy social and
emotional development
• Small amounts of zinc and magnesium have been found to improve placenta & reduce difficult
pregnancies
• Folic acid found to prevent down syndrome, spinal bifida, anencephaly, and other defects of the
neural tube (most women consume less than half the recommended daily amount needed)
• Massive campaigns to produce awareness but controversial due to the assumption that more is
better
MOTHERS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
• Prolonged stress can have a detrimental impact on fetal
development.
– Stress produces chemical responses that is released in the blood
and pass the placental barrier. Consequently, causing
premature delivery, low birth, stunted growth
• Adequate prenatal care is the key among all moms irrespective of age
THE BIRTH PROCESS
• Child birth is a 3 stage process
• Postpartum Depression
– Hormone changes in the mother sometimes cause
depression. Elevated and extended depression leads to
the diagnosis. Occurs in 10% on new moms
• Small-for-date babies
– Infants whose birth weight is far below normal,
even when born close to their normal due dates