: P re -n a t a l
Unit 1
P eri o d
MODULE 11:
PRE-NATAL
DEVELOPMENT
PRE- NATAL
(Latin) “pre-” before + “(g)natus,” birth
= before birth.
Development between conception and
birth
T H R E ES TAGE S
1 2 3
Germinal Embryonic Fetal
stage stage stage
Germinal
Stage
Embryonic
Stage
Fetal Stage
THE STAGES OF
PRE-NATAL
DEVELOPMENT
G ER M I N AL
P E R IO D
• The two-week
period after
conception
• This includes the
creation of zygote,
continued cell
division and the
attachment of the
BLASTOCYST - the inner
layer of cells that develops
during the germinal period,
develops later into the
embryo.
TROPOBLAST - the outer
layer of cells that develops
also during the germinal
period, later provides
EMBRYONIC
PERIOD
• 2 weeks after
conception. In this
stage, the name of
the mass cells,
zygote, become
embryo.
As the zygote gets attached
to the wall of the uterus,
layers of cells are formed….
EMBRYO’S ENDODERM
inner layer of cells that
develops into the digestive
and respiratory systems.
Y ER OF
T ER L A
OU
LL S
CE ECTODERM - is the outer most layer which
becomes the nervous system, sensory receptors
(eyes, ears, nose) and skin parts (nails, hair).
MESODERM – is the middle layer which becomes
the circulatory, skeletal, muscular, excretory
and reproductive systems.
Organogenesis - the process of organ formation
As 3 layers of the embryo form, the support
systems for the embryo develop rapidly…
PLACENTA –is a life-support system that consists of a disk-
shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the
mother and the offspring intertwine but do not join
UMBILICAL CORD -contains two arteries and one vein that
connects the baby to the placenta
AMNION – is a bag or an envelope that contains a clear fluid in
which the developing embryo floats
All these embryo life-support systems develop from the fertilized egg
and not from the mother’s body.
FETAL
PERIOD
• 2 months to 7 months
after conception
• Growth and
development continue
dramatically during
this period.
3 MONTHS AFTER CONCEPTION
• Fetus is about 3 inches long and
weighs about 1 ounce
• Fetus has become active, moves its
arms and legs
• The genitals can now be identified
4 MONTHS AFTER CONCEPTION
• Fetus is about 6 inches long and
weighs 4 to 7
• Pre-natalreflexes are stronger,
mother feels arm and leg
movements for the first time
5 MONTHS AFTER CONCEPTION
• Fetus is about 12 inches long and
weighs close to a pound
• Structures of the skin (fingernails,
toenails) have formed
• Fetus is more active
6 MONTHS AFTER CONCEPTION
• fetus is about 14 years inches long and
weighs one half and half pound
• eyes and eyelids are completely formed
• fine layer of head covers the head
• grasping reflex is present and irregular
movements occur
7 MONTHS AFTER CONCEPTION
• Fetus is about 16 inches
long and weighs 3 pounds
8 AND 9 AFTER CONCEPTION
• fetus grows longer and
gains substantial weight,
about 4 pounds
TERA T OL O G Y A N D
HAZA R D S T O
PA R E NT A L
DEVELO P M E N T
TE RA T OLO
GY
Is the field that
investigates the causes of
congenital (birth) defects.
A teratogen is that which
causes birth defects. It
comes from the Greek
E R S O F H AZ AR D S
A. CLUST
T O PR E - N ATA L
DE V E LO P M E N T
s Aff e c ti n g Pre g n a n c y )
( Fa c to r
PRESCRIPTION AND
NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Antibiotic is an example of
a prescription drug that
can be harmful. Examples
of harmful non-prescription
drugs are diet pills, aspirin,
and coffee.
PSYCHOACTIVE
DRUGS
These include nicotine, caffeine
and illegal drugs such as
marijuana, cocaine and heroin.
- Heavy drinking by pregnant
women results to the so-called
fetalalcohol syndrome(FAS)
which is a cluster of abnormal
ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS
These include radiation
in jobsites and X-rays,
environmental
pollutants, toxic wastes,
and prolonged
exposure to heat in
OTHER MATERNAL
FACTORS
-Rubella (German measles)
-Syphilis- damages organs after
they have formed.
Mother can infect her child in 3
ways
1. During gestation across the
placenta, 2. during delivery through
F O L I C AC I D
• It is necessary for
pregnant
mothers.
• Can reduce the risk of
having a baby with a
serious birth defect of
the brain and spinal
cord, called the ‘neutral
PATERNAL FACTORS
Fathers exposure to lead, radiation,
certain pesticides and
petrochemicals may cause
abnormalities in sperm that lead to
miscarriage or disease such as
HUMAN LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION
That which is in the mother's womb is indeed a developing
human being. An unborn baby of eight ( weeks is not
essentially different from one of eighteen (18) weeks or twenty-
eight (28) weeks. From conception the zygote, the embryo and
the fetus are undeniably human life .
Human life begins from the moment of conception. All that we
have and all that we are have been there at the moment of
conception! The fact that you have brown eyes and black,
straight or curly hair and the fact that you will turn bald at age