Prenatal Development

(Conception to Birth)


The prenatal period consists of three developmental stages with defined time confines.
The germinal stage is the first two weeks following conception. The embryonic stage is until
the end of the eighth week of pregnancy. Lastly, the fetal stage lasts until birth.

The Germinal Period



Developmentally, fertilization takes place in fallopian tube and the zygote then travels to
the uterus. Cell division takes places. A week after fertilization the ovumembeds itself in the
uterine wall. After implantation the placenta begins to form. The umbilical cord attaches the
placenta and fetus through the navel and the placenta allows food and oxygen to reach the
developing fetus. Negative developmental influences include diseases such as rubella and
diabetes, medications, psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, radiation,
and cannabis. In addition, Chemicals, Stress, maternal age, malnutrition, poverty, and weight can
also negatively affect the developing fetus. The listed influences can cause Low birth weight,
brain damage, missing limbs, blindness, deafness, miscarriages, death, fetal alcohol spectrum
syndrome (FASD) and heart abnormalities. Prenatal medication, proper nutrition, immunization,
and exercise positively influence development. Prenatal medication helps support development
by supplying the fetus and mother with vital vitamins and minerals. Recommendations for this
period include a complete physical to include dental examwith no x-ray taken, blood test to
determine Rh factor, and signing up for informational pregnancy class and request pregnancy
handbook and pamphlets (Lefrancois, 2012).


The Embryonic Period

The embryonic period begins at the end of the second week of pregnancy following the
implantation of the zygote in the uterine wall. At the onset of this period, the embryo is a fraction
of an inch long and weighs much less than an ounce. During this period cells differentiate into
skin cells, nerve bones, as well as other body tissue. Beginnings of eyes, ears, and nose emerge.
Some of the internal organs begin to develop and by the end of the second week, the heart begins
to beat. By the end of the sixth week, all organs have developed and the embryo is recognizable
as being human. Arms and legs begin budding and sex organs appear. Negative developmental
influences include diseases such as rubella and diabetes, medications, psychoactive drugs such as
alcohol, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, radiation, and cannabis. In addition, Chemicals, Stress,
maternal age, malnutrition, poverty, and weight can also negatively affect the developing fetus.
The listed influences can cause Low birth weight, brain damage, missing limbs, blindness,
deafness, miscarriages, death, fetal alcohol spectrumsyndrome (FASD) and heart abnormalities.
Prenatal medication, proper nutrition, immunization, and exercise positively influence
development. Prenatal medication helps support development by supplying the fetus and mother
with vital vitamins and minerals. Recommendations include maintaining a healthy diet and
exercise regularly, the mother should get an adequate amount of sleep. Exercising regularly and
proper rest helps to eliminate stress that can be harmful. Rh factor immunization should be
administered if necessary. Keeping all prenatal appointments is important in monitoring proper
development. Maintain healthy weight (Lefrancois, 2012).

The Fetal Period


The end of the eighth week marks the start of the fetal period. At ten weeks, the fetus is
still less than three inches long and weighs half an ounce. The head is now one-third of its length
and will become one-fourth by the end of the six month. In the third month of pregnancy, the
fetus is adequately developed and if aborted it can create breathing movements. In the fourth
month the bones begin to form, all organs become distinct,

and there may be signs of movement. The fifth month comes with the growth of lanugo, a downy
covering that grows over most of the fetuss body. Lanugo normally shed during the seventh
month but may still be seen at birth. Close to the end of the sixth month, the fetus can be felt
through the mothers abdomen. The heart beat becomes stronger and the eyelids separate, which
allows the fetus to open and close its eyes. During the last few months, Brain development and
physical growth take place. Brain development is critical during the last three months of
pregnancy and will continue to be key after birth and particularly for the first two years.
Negative developmental influences include diseases such as rubella and diabetes, medications,
psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, radiation, and cannabis. In
addition, Chemicals, Stress, maternal age, malnutrition, poverty, and weight can also negatively
affect the developing fetus. The listed influences can cause Low birth weight, brain damage,
missing limbs, blindness, deafness, miscarriages, death, fetal alcohol spectrumsyndrome
(FASD) and heart abnormalities. Prenatal medication, proper nutrition, immunization, and
exercise positively influence development. Prenatal medication helps support development by
supplying the fetus and mother with vital vitamins and minerals that help fill any nutritional gaps
in the mothers diet. Prenatal vitamins also supply the fetus with folic acid needed in developing
the brain and the spinal cord. Furthermore, prenatal vitamins supply iron which helps to carry
oxygen to the mother and the fetus. Recommendations include keeping stress to a minimum. It is
especially important to go to prenatal appointments and to monitor fetal movements. Lack of
fetal movements can signal a problemwith development (Lefrancois, (2012).
While the mothers overall health and habits are particularly important in ensuring proper
development, researchers have found that the fathers health, personal habits, and support for the
mother during the pregnancy also contribute to the fetuss development (Marotz & Allen, 2013).
It is also a recommendation to read and talk to the baby as it is beneficial in language
development. As the baby hears the language being spoken, he or she begins taking statistics.
They are able to take statistics or gather information on the important sounds that will be needed
for their language (Kuhl, 2011). The sound patterns babies are able to learn helps themin
learning words within their native tongue (Siegler & Alibali, 2005).



References

Kuhl, P. (2011, February). The Linguistic Genius of Babies [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies.html?quote=906

Lefrancois, G.R. (2012).Childrens Journey: Exploring Early Childhood. San Diego, CA:
Bridgepoint Education.

Marotz, L.R. & Allen, K. E. (2013). Developmental profiles: pre-birth through adolescence (7
th

ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Siegler, R.S. & Alibali, M. W. (2005). Children's Thinking (4th ed). Pearson Learning Solutions.
Retrieved fromhttp://online.vitalsource.com/book s/0558582575/id/ch02lev1sec1