Attiya Batool 1
CHAPTER 2:
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
1.🌸 Prenatal Development🌸
Prenatal Development:
Prenatal development is the complete process in which a baby grows and develops
inside the mother’s womb, starting from the moment of fertilization and ending at birth.
→ Growth and development of baby before birth
→ Pre = before
→ Natal = birth
It lasts about 40 weeks (9 months).
→ Divided into 3 main stages:
1. Germinal,
2. Embryonic,
3. Fetal
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2. 🌺Stages of Prenatal Development
🌺Stage 1: Germinal Stage (0 – 2 weeks)
➢ This stage begins at fertilization and
➢ includes the formation of the zygote,
➢ rapid cell division, and
➢ the movement of the cells toward the uterus for implantation.
Attiya Batool 2
→ Early stage right after fertilization
→ Duration: 2 weeks
🌺 Key Events🌺 :-
Fertilization:
Fertilization happens when a sperm from the father successfully joins an egg from the
mother to create the first cell of the baby.
→ Sperm + Egg = Zygote
→ Start of life
Zygote:
A zygote is the first single cell formed after fertilization and it contains genetic
information from both parents.
→ First cell of baby
→ Has 46 chromosomes
Cell Division:
The zygote divides again and again to form many identical cells while moving toward
the uterus.
→ One cell becomes many cells
→ Rapid multiplication
Blastocyst:
A blastocyst is a hollow ball of divided cells that prepares to attach to the uterine wall.
→ Ball of cells ready for implantation
Implantation:
Attiya Batool 3
Implantation is when the blastocyst attaches itself to the lining of the uterus so it can
receive blood and nutrients from the mother.
→ Blastocyst sticks to uterus wall
→ Beginning of pregnancy
Stage 2:
🌺Embryonic Stage (2 – 8 weeks)🌺
In this stage, the baby is called an embryo, and all major body organs and systems
start to form. This is the most critical and sensitive stage of development.
→ Formation of major organs
→ Most sensitive period
Organogenesis:
Organogenesis is the process during which all the major organs of the body begin to
develop.
→ “Organs are being created”
→ Genesis = beginning/creation Embryo:
The term embryo is
used for the developing
Examples of organ formation in this stage:
baby from the 2nd week
❖ Brain and spinal cord start developing to the 8th week of
❖ Heart starts beating pregnancy, when all
major organs and body
→ First heartbeat around week 4
structures begin to form.
❖ Limbs start to appear (arms, legs)
→ Early developing
❖ Facial features start forming (eyes, ears)
baby (2–8 weeks)
→ Organ formation
Why this stage is sensitive? stage
Attiya Batool 4
Because harmful substances can easily cause birth defects.
→ Risk of abnormalities highest.
Stage 3:
🌺Fetal Stage (8 weeks – birth)🌺
In this stage, the baby is called a fetus, and its main job is to:-
• grow bigger,
• gain weight, and
• allow organs to mature and function properly.
→ Growth and maturation stage
→ Longest stage of prenatal development
Fetus:
The term fetus is used for the developing baby from the 8th week of pregnancy until
birth, when the organs grow, mature, and the body gains size and weight.
→ Developing baby (8 weeks to birth)
→ Growth and maturation stage
🌺Key Points🌺:-
➢ Baby starts moving (kicking can be felt).
➢ Muscles and bones get stronger.
➢ Nails, hair, eyelashes form.
Attiya Batool 5
➢ Brain develops rapidly.
➢ Organs start working properly.
➢ Baby gains weight and prepares for birth.
By 24 weeks:
Baby can survive outside the womb with medical help.
→ Age of viability
By 38–40 weeks:
Baby is fully developed and ready for birth.
→ Full-term baby
✅ Quick Table Summary ✅
Stage Time Baby Called Main Focus
Germinal 0–2 weeks Zygote/Blastocyst Cell division +
Implantation
Embryonic 2–8 weeks Embryo Organs start
forming
(organogenesis)
Fetal 8 weeks– Fetus Growth + Organ
birth maturity
Point No 2:-
🌼Genetic Influences in Development🌼
Attiya Batool 6
Genetic influences are the factors that children inherit from their parents through
biological information, which affect how they look, grow, and behave.
→ Traits passed from parents to child
→ Inherited characteristics
🌼Key Terms in Genetics🌼
Gene:
A gene is a small unit of heredity made of DNA that carries instructions for specific
traits such as eye color, height, or hair type.
→ Basic unit of inheritance
→ Controls specific traits
Extra:
Human body has 20,000+ genes.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid):
DNA is a long, spiral-shaped chemical molecule inside genes that stores all the
genetic information needed for the development and functioning of the body.
→ Genetic code or blueprint of life
→ Contains instructions for making the body
Attiya Batool 7
Chromosomes:
Chromosomes are thread-like structures made of DNA that hold many genes and are
found in the nucleus of every cell.
→ Structures that carry genes
→ 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in humans
→ 23 from mother + 23 from father
Sex chromosomes:
XX = Female
XY = Male
🌼How Traits Are Passed🌼
Dominant Gene:
A dominant gene is a strong gene that always shows its trait, even if only one copy is
present.
→ Strong gene, trait appears
Attiya Batool 8
→ Example: Brown eyes
Recessive Gene:
A recessive gene is a weak gene that shows its trait only when both parents pass the
same gene.
→ Weak gene, needs two copies
→ Example: Blue eyes
🌼Genotype vs Phenotype🌼
Genotype:
Genotype is the complete genetic makeup of a person (all genes they carry), even the
traits that are hidden.
→ All genes inside the body
Phenotype:
Phenotype is the physical appearance or behavior that we can actually see.
→ Visible traits (eye color, height, etc.)
Attiya Batool 9
🌼Genetic Combination Example🌼:-
Eye Color
B = Dominant (Brown)
B = Recessive (Blue)
Genotype Phenotype
BB Brown eyes
Bb Brown eyes
Bb Blue eyes
🌼Genetic Disorders🌼
Sometimes genes or chromosomes have changes (mutations), which can cause
disorders.
Attiya Batool 10
Mutation:
A mutation is a sudden change or mistake in a gene that can affect normal
development.
→ Change in DNA
🌼Sickle Cell Anemia🌼
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder in
🌼Types of Genetic which the red blood cells become shaped like a
crescent or sickle instead of being round, which
Disorders is🌼:- makes it hard for them to move smoothly
through blood vessels and carry oxygen
properly.
✅ Single-Gene Disorders :- → Abnormal (sickle-shaped) red blood cells
→ Hard to carry oxygen
Caused by a problem in one gene. → Causes pain, tiredness, and organ damage
→ Example: Sickle Cell Anemia
Reason:-
Caused by a mutation in a single gene
inherited from parents.
If child gets defective gene from BOTH parents
→ has sickle cell anemia.
If child gets it from ONE parent → carrier (no
severe symptoms).
✅ Chromosomal
Abnormalities :-
Caused by extra or missing chromosomes.
Attiya Batool 11
→ Example: Down Syndrome
→ Has an extra copy of chromosome 21 (Trisomy 🌼Down Syndrome🌼
21).
Down syndrome is a genetic
✅ Multifactorial Disorders :- condition that happens when a
person is born with an extra copy of
chromosome 21, which affects their
Caused by both genes and environment. physical appearance, growth, and
intellectual development.
→ Example: Heart disease, diabetes
→ Extra chromosome 21 (Trisomy
21)
→ Developmental delay + distinct
facial features
Common Features:
Why Genetics is Important in ➢ Flat facial profile
➢ Almond-shaped eyes
Prenatal Development? ➢ Slow learning or delayed
speech
➢ Weak muscle tone
➢ Determines physical traits (height, eye color,
skin color)
Why it happens?
Occurs due to a mistake during cell
➢ Influences personality and intelligence (partly)
division (not parents’ fault).
➢ Can cause inherited diseases
Risk increases if the mother’s age
is above 35.
➢ Sets the potential for growth and development
Attiya Batool 12
3. 🌸Environmental and
Psychological Influences on
Prenatal Development🌸
Environmental and psychological influences are external factors that affect the baby’s
growth inside the womb, including the mother’s health, nutrition, emotions, lifestyle, and
surroundings.
→ Anything around the mother that affects the baby’s development
→ Includes physical, mental, and social factors
Environment
Environment means all the outside conditions that affect the baby
during pregnancy (mother’s body, lifestyle, surroundings).
➤ Outside factors affecting baby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 1. Nutrition (Diet of the Mother)
The mother’s diet is extremely important because the developing baby receives all
nutrients from the mother to grow properly.
→ Healthy diet = healthy baby
→ Poor diet = risk of low birth weight and developmental problems
Attiya Batool 13
🌼Important nutrients🌼:
➢ Protein (body growth)
➢ Iron (blood supply)
➢ Calcium (bones and teeth)
➢ Folic acid (prevents brain defects)
If mother has poor nutrition:
→ Baby may be born weak
→ Brain development may be affected
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 2. Teratogens (VERY IMPORTANT TERM )
Teratogens:
Teratogens are harmful substances or agents that can enter the mother’s body and
cause birth defects or problems in the baby’s development.
→ “Tera” = monster (causes damage) Teratogens are any harmful
substances that can damage
→ Harmful to baby
the developing baby during
pregnancy (like drugs, alcohol,
viruses, chemicals).
Examples of teratogens:
➤ Harmful agents for baby
➢ Alcohol
Radiation Exposure
➢ Smoking (nicotine)
➢ Drugs/medications (without doctor advice) X-rays or radiation can damage
➢ Pollution and chemicals baby’s cells and cause deformities.
➢ Radiation (X-rays).
➤ Strong rays harm baby
Attiya Batool 14
Critical Period:
If teratogens affect the embryo during organ formation (2–8 weeks), the damage is
more serious.
→ Most dangerous during embryonic stage
Alcohol → Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:
Baby may have physical deformities, learning problems, and behavior issues.
Smoking:
→ Low birth weight
→ Breathing difficulties
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 3. Mother’s Physical Health
The physical health of the mother plays a vital role in the baby’s growth and safety
during pregnancy.
→ Healthy mother = healthy baby
If mother has diseases (like diabetes, high blood pressure, infections):
→ Can affect baby’s brain, heart, and development
Regular medical checkups help to detect problems early.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 4. Psychological / Emotional Factors
Attiya Batool 15
The mother's mental and emotional state directly affects the baby’s development
through stress hormones.
→ Mother’s mind affects baby’s body
If mother is happy and supported:
→ Better brain development
→ Healthier emotional growth
If mother is stressed, anxious, or depressed:
➢ Stress hormones pass to baby
➢ Blood flow to baby decreases
➢ Baby may have low birth weight
➢ Baby may develop emotional problems later
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 5. Substance Abuse (Use of harmful drugs)
Using harmful drugs during pregnancy can damage the baby’s brain and body
development.
Effects:
➢ Premature birth
➢ Addiction in newborn
➢ Learning and memory problems
Attiya Batool 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 6. Age of Mother
Too young (<18) → Body not fully ready
Too old (>35) → Higher risk of genetic disorders (like Down syndrome)
→ Ideal age range: 20–30 years
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 7. Stress and Hormones
When the mother experiences stress, her body releases stress hormones (like cortisol)
which can cross the placenta and affect the baby’s heart rate and brain development.
→ Long-term stress = negative impact
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 8. Social and Cultural Factors
The environment around the mother, including family support, culture, and society,
influences her physical and mental health.
→ Supportive family = less stress
Attiya Batool 17
🌼If mother has education and support:
→ Better choices
→ Healthier lifestyle
🌼If mother lives in poverty or unhealthy environment:
→ Poor nutrition
→ No medical care
→ Higher stress
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ 9. Prenatal Care
Prenatal care refers to the medical checkups and guidance given to the mother during
pregnancy to ensure the baby’s healthy development.
→ Regular doctor visits = problem detection early
→ Vitamins and advice → Can also be the → Reasons to → improve baby’s health.
Attiya Batool 18
Prenatal Care
-------------------------------- Regular doctor visits, checkups, --------------------------------
-------------------------------- guidance, supplements to ------------------
ensure healthy development.
➤ Medical care during
pregnancy
✅Quick Summary (Easy Revision)✅
❖ Nutrition affects baby’s growth.
❖ Teratogens are harmful substances that cause birth defects.
❖ Mother’s health and diseases can affect the baby.
❖ Stress and emotions of the mother influence baby’s brain and behavior.
❖ Drugs, smoking, and alcohol are very dangerous.
❖ Age of mother also matters.
❖ Family, culture, and environment affect development.
❖ Prenatal care protects mother and baby.
Attiya Batool 19
Environmental Influences
1. Nutrition
2. Drugs / Medications
3. Alcohol
4. Smoking / Nicotine
5. Infections
6. Radiation
7. Maternal Health Conditions
8. Maternal Age
9. Environmental Toxins (chemicals, pollution)
10. Prenatal Care
11. Living Conditions (poverty, hygiene)
Psychological Influences
1. Maternal Stress
2. Anxiety
3. Depression
4. Emotional State
5. Social Support
6. Family Relationships
7. Cultural Beliefs and Practices
8. Mother’s Attitude toward
Pregnancy