Life begins in the reproductive

system of the female, set inside

the pelvic cavity.
The term natal
means birth
so pre-natal
means before
birth.
Ampulla
Fimbria
.
Ovum is ripening
inside follicle
Endometrium
(uterine wall)
Maturing
follicles
Cervix a mucous
plug forms in this
area during
pregnancy


Vagina
Fallopian
Tube
Ovary
Uterus
(womb)
Egg maturation and ovulation is stimulated by two hormones secreted by the
pituitary gland- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Approximately every 28 days, at the start of a cycle, these hormones cause
several follicles to start growing. Of these, only one matures to form a large fluid-
filled structure that contains a ripening egg. When the egg matures it is released
from the follicle when the follicle rupturesin a process called ovulation. This
occurs on about the 14
th
day of the cycle.
The egg contains 23 chromosomesthe mothers genetic material.
The egg, or ovum, slowly travels through
the fallopian tube, and if sperm are present
at that location, one may unite with the
ovum in a process called fertilization. Only
one sperm can enter the eggs outer
membrane. The moment the sperm
penetrates the egg is called conception,
creating a new and separate cell called the
Zygote.
The penetrating sperm loses its tail, the
head dissolves, and out spills its genetic
material23 chromosomes.
Stage 1
Germinal Period

(Conception to 10 days)
Did You Know?
7
From day 1 at conception, all the information
needed to become a person, is already present (e.g.
colour of eyes, sex, etc.); Except for oxygen &
nutrition, nothing more is added to ensure growth
and maturity into a perfect baby.
The fertilized egg now has 23
PAIRS, or 46 chromosomes.
Immediately the cell begins to
duplicate, taking approximately
30 hours to complete the first cell
division.
At an increasingly faster rate, new
cells are added until they form a
hollow, fluid-filled ball, called a
blastocyst (about 4 or five days
after conception).
Approximately 60 to 70 cells form
the blastocyst. Those on the inside
(called the embryonic disk) will
become the new organism
whereas those on the outside will
provide the protective covering.
Multiple births can occur two different ways. Sometimes two (or more) different
eggs are released, and both are fertilized by two different sperm. The result is
fraternal twins. They may be both boys or both girls or one of each; they may or
may not look similar. In other cases, a single egg fertilized by a single sperm will
split completely in half during that very first cell division. This results in
identical twins. They will both be of the same sex and will look very similar if not
the same. Identical twins have identical DNA, but different fingerprints!
Around the seventh or ninth day after
conception, the blastocyst burrows into the
uterine lining in a process called implantation.
The protective covering quickly develops into
the amnion, surrounding the organism in
amniotic fluid. A yolk sac also develops,
producing blood cells until the liver, spleen,
and bone marrow is mature. The womans
ovaries produce massive doses of the
hormone progesterone, signaling the body
that a pregnancy is in progress.
All the time an egg has been
ripening and preparing for
ovulation, the endometrium of
the uterus has been forming a
nutrient-rich lining. It is
preparing to receive a fertilized
egg. (If no egg is fertilized, this
lining will leave the body during
a process called menstruation.)
Stage 2
Embryonic Period

(2 to 8 weeks)
Nerve growth begins when a sheet of cells on the
back of the embryo folds in the middle to form a tube,
which will become the future spinal cord. At one end
tube enlarges to form the brain's major sections. The
amniotic fluid that cushions the fetus begins to form.
14
Fetal brain begins to form on
day 23
Brain waves produced by 6
weeks
Fetal heart begins
to form 18 days after
conception
Measurable heart beat 21-24
days after conception
5 weeks - At this time the embryo is
still the size of a raisin. Low on the
sides of the head are two folds of
tissue that will become the ears.
Although not completely developed,
all the major body organs and
systems are formed. The neural tube
enlarges into three parts, that will
soon develop to become a very
complex brain. Also the placenta
begins functioning, including the
chorionic villi and the umbilical cord,
through which the baby will receive
nourishment and oxygen. The spine
and spinal cord grows faster than the
rest of the body at this stage and will
give the appearance of a tail. This
disappears as the baby grows.

6 weeks - The embryo itself is about a 1/4 inch long. Other major organs,
including the kidneys and liver, have begun to develop, and the neural tube,
which connects the brain and spinal cord, closes.
The physical sensations of pregnancy start--nausea, fatigue, sore breasts and
frequent urination.
16
The brain has
developed into 5 areas
and some cranial nerves
are visible. Arm and leg
buds are visible and the
formation of the eyes,
lips, and nose has
begun.
7 weeks - The embryo's hands and feet are shaped like paddles, but the fingers
are beginning to take shape. The embryonic tail has almost disappeared. The
pituitary gland is also forming and the fetus is beginning to grow muscle fibers.
The heart has divided into the right and left chambers and is beating about 150
beats a minute which is about twice the rate of an adult. The baby's facial
features are visible, including a mouth and tongue. The eyes have a retina and
lens. The major muscle system is developed, and the baby starts to practice
moving. The baby has its own blood type unique from the mother's and the
blood cells are produced by the liver now instead of the yolk sac.
18
Major organs have
all begun to form.
Hair follicles and
nipples form and
knees and elbows
are visible.
19
The embryo is
reactive to its
environment
inside the amniotic
sac where it
swims and
moves. Hands
and feet can be
seen. At the end of
week 8, the
embryonic period
is over and the
fetal stage begins.
20
Years ago, while giving an anesthetic for a ruptured tubal pregnancy (at
two months) I was handed what I believed to be the smallest human being
ever seen. The embryo sac was intact and transparent. Within the sac was a
tiny human male, swimming extremely vigorously in the amnionic fluid, while
attached to the wall by the umbilical cord. The tiny human was perfectly
developed, with long, tapering fingers, feet and toes.
The baby was extremely
alive and did not look at all
like the photos and drawings
of 'embryos' which I have
seen. When the sac was
opened, the tiny human
immediately lost its life.

- Paul E. Rockwell, M.D.
(8 weeks)
Stage 3
Fetal Period

(8 weeks-birth)
FETAL PERIOD
o This is the final stage of gestation. The
developing organism now, is called a
FETUS.
o The fetal period differs from the embryonic
period in several fundamental ways.
o During this period, the organs and body
systems become more complex.
o Right up to birth, finishing touches, such as
fingernails, toenails and eyelids develop.

o The fetus is very active, moving its arms and
legs, opening and closing its mouth, and
moving its head
The mother can feel the jerky and squirmy
movements around the 4th month
o Between the 4
th
and 6
th
months, there is a
decline in the fetus activity

The decline corresponds to the
development of the higher regions of the
brain responsible for more controlled and
coordinated motor activity

Evidence indicates that fetal activity is
crucial for normal development of limbs
and joints
Placenta
Umbilical cord
Amniotic sac
filled with
amniotic fluid

Mucous
Plug
8 weeks- The unborn baby is now called a
fetus. The fetus is protected by the
amniotic sac and filled with fluid. Inside
the child swims and moves gracefully. The
fetus is now about 3/4 inches long. The
arms and legs have lengthened. During
this time of development, the baby's head
appears much larger than the body
because the brain is growing very rapidly.
Brain waves can now be measured. The
teeth and the palate are beginning to
form and the larynx is developing.
Through its parchment-thin skin, the
baby's veins are clearly visible. By the
eighth week the ears begin to take shape.

9 weeks - Though the fetus is constantly
moving, fetal movement is not felt, for
several more weeks. All of the organs,
muscles, and nerves are in place and
beginning to function. As the hands and
feet develop fingers and toes, they lose
their paddle-like look, and the touch pads
on the fingers form.
28
"A person's a
person, no
matter how
small!"
-Dr. Seuss
This is a foot of a 9 week
old fetus. At this stage in
the pregnancy there are
already footprints and
fingerprints.
9 weeks
10 weeks - The heart
is almost completely
developed and very
much resembles
that of a newborn
baby. The eyelids
have fused shut.
The wrists and
ankles have formed
and the fingers and
toes are clearly
visible.
11 weeks - The vital organs--the liver, kidneys, intestines, brain and lungs--are
fully formed and may begin to function, while the the head is almost half the
length of the entire body.

30
.

11 weeks
Nearly all structures and organs are
formed and beginning to function.
Fingers and toes have separated.
Take a glimpse at how incredibly
precious the childs tiny feet are at this
point. Hair and nails begin to grow.
The genitals begin to take on the
proper gender characteristics. It will
be just a few more weeks before an
ultrasound can show if the baby is a
boy or a girl! Amniotic fluid begins to
accumulate as the kidneys begin to
function. This fluid, consisting
primarily of water, helps provide a
cushion for the baby within the womb.
The muscles in the intestinal walls
begin to practice contractions that
digest food. The baby is only about
4.1 cm (1.61 inches ) long and weighs
7gm (0.25 ounce) but it is busy moving
and kicking.
Month 3
Twelve Week Fetus
The eyelids now cover the eyes,
and will remain shut until the
seventh month to protect the
delicate optical nerve fibers. The
hair is on the head and the fingers
and toes have developed soft
nails. The kidneys are developed
and begin to secrete urine.
The skull is not solid bone, but
has formed in sections. These
sections can overlap during the
birth process. There are even a
couple of soft spots where bone
has not formed at all called
fontanelles.
THIS IS THE END OF THE FIRST
TRIMESTER, WHEN THE MAIN TASK
WAS FORMATION!
During this first trimester period of
formation, many things can go wrong.
Sometimes the womans body will self-
abort. This is called a miscarriage.
34
The heart is almost completely
developed and the heart rate
can be heard on a Doppler
machine at the doctor's office.
Most major organs and tissues
have developed. The face is
well formed and the eyes are
almost fully developed.
Arms, hands, fingers, legs,
feet, and toes are fully formed.
Nails and earlobes start to
form and tooth buds develop
in the gums. Fetus can make a
fist with its fingers.
Heartbeat 12 wks
Vocal chords are complete, and the
child can and does sometimes cry
(silently).

The brain is fully formed, and the
child can feel pain.

The fetus may even suck his thumb

The baby can also squint and
swallow and is sensitive to heat
touch light and noise.
35
12 weeks - cont
Month 4
Four
months (16
weeks)
Sixteen Week Fetus
By now, the fetus has grown large enough that the movements can
sometimes be felt by the mother. Often felt like a flutter or a "flip-flop", these
first movements that can be felt by the mother is called quickening.
39
This baby is about 13 weeks old, though the skin is still
somewhat transparent, you can see veins and nerves,
formed ears and fingers. The baby even at this small stage,
feels comfort in sucking their thumb
13 weeks
By 14 weeks, the baby has formed
muscle systems and the mother can
feel it kick.
At 15 weeks the baby has taste-buds
and can even taste the mothers
meals.
40
At 16 weeks, they have eyelashes, eyebrows
and fine hair.
14 weeks
16 weeks
At the end of the fourth month, white, downy hair called lanugo (lu- noo-
go) covers the entire body of the fetus. It provides warmth, since the fetus
has no layer of fat beneath the skin yet.
At some point later, a white waxy,
cheese-like substance also forms
over the entire surface of the skin.
This is called vernix caseosa. The
vernix is a perfect skin lotion, which
along with the lanugo, protects he
skin from the constant exposure to
amniotic fluid. It is also believed that
it serves as a sort of skin cleanser
and antibacterial substance. The
lanugo and vernix caseosa
diminishes in amount during the last
weeks of the gestation period and
usually rubs off during delivery. The
presence of a great deal of vernix or
lanugo at the time of birth, therefore,
is often a sign of prematurity.
Month 5
Five
months
(20 weeks)
Twenty Week Fetus
17 weeks
45
Ultasound - view the heart beating
and mouth opening
During the 5
th
month, at 22
weeks, the fetus weighs a little
over 1 pound, and is about 1
foot in length. At this time, the
movements can clearly be felt
by the mother and by others
who place their hands over the
mother's abdomen.
The fetus also has a number of sensory
capacities. However, it still has a long
way to go before it is mature enough to
survive outside of the womb.
Although there are a few cases of infants
being born and surviving at this time, the
chance of survival (and without later
complications), is very slim.

Around 5 months after conception, the fetus
develops a sense of balance and starts
noticing changes in the mothers posture.

Toward the end of pregnancy, fetus is able
to respond to light and may actually see light
through the stretched wall of the mothers
abdomen.
The fetus also shows a sensitivity to light
and can be stimulated and irritated.
Sensory capacities of the fetus
From 4 months onward, fetuses hear and
respond to loud noises in the outside
environment, in the uterus, especially their
mothers voices.

But the sounds are muffled by background
noise.

Sensory capacities of the fetus
(Contd.)
Month 6
Six months
(24 weeks)

During the 4
th
-6
th
months,
most of the organs that were
formed during the first
trimester begin to function. If
born at this time, the fetus has
a chance of survival. The
point in which it can first
survive is referred to as the
age of being viable and
occurs sometime between 22
and 26 weeks.
THIS IS THE END OF THE
SECOND TRIMESTER,
WHEN THE MAIN TASK
WAS FUNCTIONING!
Month 7
7
th
month
(28
weeks)


THIRTY WEEKS
FETUS
At only about 3 pounds,
the 7 month old fetus has
a few pounds to go before
reaching the average 7.5
pounds.
During this time, the brain
continues to develop at
an increasingly fast rate.
By 7 months, the fetus
clearly responds to
sounds outside of the
womb, and develops a
preference for the tone
and rhythm of its
mother's voice.
Month 8
8
th
month
(32 weeks)
THIRTY SIX WEEKS
FETUS
By the eight month, the fetus
has little room for large
movements. During this month,
a layer of fat is added that will
assist with temperature
regulation.
The lungs however, still remain
immature. If born at this time,
the infant will likely require
some help with breathing. It is
not until the ninth month that
the lungs are mature enough to
regulate breathing without
assistance.
Month 9
9
th
month
(38
weeks)
During this last month of the gestation
period, baby continues to grow at a
rate of to 1 pound per week. Baby
will turn around in the womb, to a head-
down position. The lungs are maturing,
preparing for that first breath.
THIS IS THE END OF THE THIRD TRIMESTER,
WHEN THE MAIN TASK WAS GROWTH!
Learning during fetal period
DeCasper and Spence study

Pregnant mothers read aloud a passage from
a storybook twice a day in the last month and
a half.

Newborns change their sucking rates (either
increase or decrease from the baseline) in
order to be able to hear the same passage.
Learning during fetal period
(cont.)
Another study showed that fetus
heartbeats decreased when the same story
was played, indicating increased attention.
A different story lead to no changes in the
heartbeat.

Evidence that newborns and fetus
recognizestories read to them repeatedly.
Salk experiment

Fetus learn about normal heartbeat in the
womb.

Newborns get irritated when made to listen
to higher beats per minute than the
mothers heartbeat.
Learning during fetal period
(cont.)