Fetal DevelopmentMonth by Month

On the table, answer the true or false worksheet, Write BEFORE on the

side you answer.

Prenatal Development • Prenatal development – the process by which a

baby grows inside the mother– Begins @ conception and ends at birth

• 9 months 280 days/40 weeks

• Support system also forms

• One structure is the protective sac that surrounds and encloses the developing baby. The sac is filled with amniotic fluid which cushions the baby from outside pressures.

Prenatal Development • Placenta – the tissue, shaped somewhat like a

pancake, is attached to the uterine wall and contains a rich network of blood vessels.– Acts as a filter between the mother’s and baby’s bodies

• Baby is connected to placenta by the umbilical cord.

• Pregnancy – blood will flow from the mother’s body through the placenta and umbilical cord, carrying nutrients & oxygen to the baby

• Wastes from the baby – same process into mom’s bloodstream for processing & disposal.

First Month• Week 1: The first day of last

menstrual period

• Week 2: Lining of uterus is thickening

• Week 3: Congratulations!! Baby is conceived

– Within hours after sperm meets eggs, the fertilized cell (zygote) divides and then continues to divide. Within days, baby is a microscopic ball of cells.

– Zygote stage – last about 2 weeks

First Month• Week 4: Implantation

Time!!• Ball of cells – great

divide – Baby & placenta (baby’s life line)

• Baby is about the size of a pin head. The heart, which is no larger than a poppy seed, has begun beating.

First Month (Mommy)

•Fewer than 30% - implantation bleeding•Breast changes•Bloating•Fatigue•Frequent urination•Nausea•Increase sensitivity to smell •Mood swings •Drooling

On a sheet of paper

• Mini poster of the first month of pregnancy

First Month

Two Months

• Week 5: baby – growing fast– Size – orange seed– Heart taking shape

• Week 6: – Crown (head) to rump

(bottom) measurements– Jaws, cheeks & chin –

beginning to develop– 80 beats per minute

Two Months• Week 7:

– 10,000 times bigger than at conception– Size blueberry– Brain – 250,000 cells per minute

generated – Mouth, tongue forming – Arm, legs buds – begging to sprout

segment

• Week 8: – Baby (embryo) is about 1/2 inch long

(size of a grape) and has distinct, slightly webbed fingers. Face, eyes, ears, and limb have developed. Veins are clearly visible. The heart has divided into right and left chambers.

– Looks more human– Spontaneous movements – you cannot

feel

Two Months (Mommy)

• Fatigue, urination, nausea (with/out vomiting), breast changes (darkening of the areolas)

• Darkening of areolas • Excess saliva• Constipation• Heartburn• Food aversions & cravings• Slight whitish discharge• Occasional faintness/dizziness• Emotional ups & downs

Two Months (Mommy)

• Progesterone & relaxin – tend to relax muscle tissue

• Spidery purplish vines – extra blood flow, pregnancy hormone flow, genetics

Two Months

Prenatal Stages

• Zygote– After sperm & ovum unites– Lasts about two weeks

• Embryo– Last about the time of implantation (week 4) until

week 8– Muscle, bone, organs & other body parts of the body

form– Almost all internal organs begin to form

Beginning at the 3rd month/Week 9

• Fetus – Growth – process of growth and maturation– Last about 7 months

Three Months• Week 9:

– At the beginning baby (fetus) is about 1 inch long by the end, 3 inches!!! Weighing in at 1 ounce

– Bones forming, elbows can now bend – Muscles & tissues start to develop– Covered by very thin skin (see through)

• Week 10:– 1 ½ in” long – Bones forming, elbows can now

bend – Buds of baby teeth are forming

under gums – Eye lids begin to close to protect

developing eyes

Three Months• Week 11/12 :

– Just over 2 in @, 2 ½ @ 12”– 1/3 oz @ 11, ½ oz @ 12– Body – straightening out– Fingers & toes nails forming

– Gender is evident (though cannot tell with ultrasound)

– More Human characteristics – Most systems formed,

though immature

Three Months• Week 13:

– 3 in” – Size – peach– Head – about half the size of

baby

Three Months (Mommy)

•Same as month two plus:– Increased appetite (if morning

sickness is easing)– Visible veins on abdomen, legs,

& else where as blood supply pumps up

– Rounding of belly, clothes feeling a little snugger

– Headaches – (thanks to hormonal changes)

Questions????

• Why the constipation??

• Which baby weighs more at birth: boys or girls?? Why?

• Does a baby’s heart rate give you a clue if baby is a he or she???

• What is a miscarriage?

• Why does the chance for miscarriage decrease considerably after the first trimester?

Answers• Constipation – high levels of progesterone – relaxes

muscles (advantage – added time for nutrients to be absorbed into bloodstream) – Fiber, exercise

• Research – shows that moms carrying boys tend to eat more than moms expecting girls. (food for thought)

• Old wives tell – a heart rate above 140 – girl, below 140 – boy

• Spontaneous loss of the pregnancy after less than 20 weeks of fetal development

• Since your baby's most critical development has taken place, your chance of miscarriage drops considerably after three months into the pregnancy.

Miscarriage

• A spontaneous loss of the pregnancy after less than 20 weeks of fetal development.

• It is not uncommon • According to research 15-20% known

pregnancies end in miscarriage

• Many end before woman knows she is even pregnant

Miscarriages

• Myths – physical activity, minor falls and stress are not believed to cause the loss of a pregnancy

• Early in pregnancy – usually genetic abnormality

• Couples should not blame self

• Many are able to have successful pregnancy later

Miscarriages

• Identified Risk Factors– Age (woman – over age 35)– Previous miscarriage– Family history of miscarriage– Certain diseases or infections– Exposure to hazards during pregnancy (alcohol,

drugs, smoking, heavy caffeine use or certain chemicals)

Stillbirth

• If the fetus dies after the 20th week.

• Occurs approximately one out of 200 pregnancies

• Death can occur during labor or delivery, but more often occurs before labor

• Causes vary & sometimes no cause can be found

Bell Work

• What is an ectopic pregnancy?

• What are birth defects?

• What are some causes of birth defects?

• Can birth defects be prevented?

Ectopic Pregnancy

• Sometimes a fertilized egg never reaches the uterus, it plants outside the uterus (usually in the fallopian tube)

• The embryo cannot survive without the nourishment and protection of the uterus

• When the embryo grows, it may eventually burst the fallopian tube – life threatening - bleeding - mommy to be

Birth Defects

• An abnormality that is present at or before birth and results in mental or physical disability

• My be genetic factors, environmental factors or a combination

• Often the cause in unknown

Birth Defects – Genetic Causes

• Errors in genes or chromosomes – Missing, damaged or duplicated

• (Down Syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21)

Birth Defects – Environmental Causes

• What a pregnant woman eats, drinks, breathes in and exposed to – has the potential to either help or harm developing baby– Poor nutrition during pregnancy – Tobacco, alcohol, drugs– Exposure to X-rays– Certain illness (chicken pox, rubella)– Certain prescriptions & over the counter meds– STDs

Prevention and Treatment

• Good health can help prevent birth defects– Proper medical care, take steps to avoid hazards– Medical advances

• Correct defect before baby is born – Surgery or other means

• Not curable - early diagnosis & intervention – can help child reach full potential

Working Time Line

• You are to create a time line for the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

2nd Trimester 14 Weeks – 27 Weeks

• Babies will start growing at different paces

Four Months

• Baby is covered with a layer of thick, downy hair called lanugo. His heartbeat can be heard clearly. This is when you may feel your baby's first kick. Size about 3 inches long.

• Facial feature becomes clearer

Four Months

• Baby becomes sensitive to touch

Four Months (Mommy)• Previous, plus:

– Nasal congestion & occasional nosebleeds; ear stuffiness

– Sensitive gums (may bleed when you brush

– Mild swelling of ankles & feet (hands & feet)

– Varicose veins of legs and/or hemorrhoids

4 months

Five Months

• A protective coating

called vernix caseosa begins to form on baby's skin

• End of the month – baby weighs one pound and is nearly 8 inches long

Five Months

• Hair, eyelashes &

eyebrows appear• Teeth continue to

develop• Organs are maturing • Hands able to grip• Baby more active

Five Months

Previous Plus:– More energy!– Fetal movements @

end– Achiness in lower

abdomen & along sides (stretching of ligaments supporting the uterus)

– Backache– Leg cramps– Skin color changes– A protruding naval

Six Months• Eyebrows and eyelids

are visible. The baby's lungs are filled with amniotic fluid, and he/she has started breathing motions. If the mother talks or sings, the baby can hear.

• Grows to about two pounds

• Fat deposits begin to appear beneath wrinkly skin

Six Months (Mommy)

• Previous, plus:– More definite fetal

activity

– Itchy abdomen

– Stretch marks

– Enlarged breast

– Continued absentmindedness

6 Months

3rd Trimester

• 28-40 Weeks

• Getting enough Omega-3 is more important than ever in the 3rd trimester when your baby’s brain development is being fast tracked.

• Time to think about signing up for child birth classes.

Seven Months

• At the beginning of the seventh month, the baby weighs about 2 ½ pounds and is about 14-16 inches long.

Seven Months

• His body is well-formed. Fingernails cover his fingertips

• Nervous, circulatory & other systems mature

• Periods of fetal activities are followed by periods of rest & quiet.

Seven Months (Mommy)

• Previous, plus:– Stretch Marks– Shortness of breath– Difficulty sleeping– Scattered Braxton Hicks – Clumsiness– Colostrum, leaking from

nipples – Strange and vivid

dreams

Eight Months

• Baby is gaining about half a pound per week, and layers of fat are piling on. He/she has probably turned head-down in preparation for birth.

• End of the month, baby weighs in at 5 ½ pounds

Eight Months (Mommy)

• Previous, plus:– Strong, regular fetal

activity– Increasing vaginal

discharge – Increasing Braxton Hicks

Contractions

Nine Months

• Baby is a hefty 6-9 pounds at the end of the month and measures between 19 and 20 inches.

• Fetal movement decreases with less room to move

• Increase fat under the skin makes baby looks less wrinkled

Nine Months

• Baby gains disease-fighting antibodies from the mommy’s blood

• Baby descends lower into the pelvis, ready for birth (breath easier)

Nine Months (Mommy)

• Previous, plus:– Changes in fetal activity

(more squirming, less kicking)

– Vaginal discharge becomes heavier & contains more mucus

– Extra fatigue or extra energy (nesting syndrome)

Nine Months

• Fewer than 5% of babies are actually born on their due date

• 50% are late (born after due date)