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Prenatal
Two Physical Milestones: Between 8-12 weeks the fetus genitals are fully visible. By 9 weeks
the fetus can respond to lip contact (Nudelman & Lao, 2014). Between 20-24 weeks a fetus can
suck and swallow.
Two Cognitive Milestones: At three to four weeks an embryos primitive brain have formed. The
Central nervous system is responding as well. At 28 weeks, the fetus brain is growing rapidly, as
if its a newborn baby brain growing from activities.
Two Language Milestones: While in the womb, a fetus can hear the sound of its mothers voice.
At 30 weeks of gestational age the fetus sensory and brain mechanisms have formed (McElroy,
2013). 10 weeks before beginning born and soon after birth the baby can illustrate what was
heard while in the womb.

Two Atypical Milestones: The fetus cognitive and attention system are impacted in a negative
way.

The mother is one social factor who influences this period of development. If a mother is
extremely depressed it can affect the fetal heart rate.

Social Factors: During this period it is important for the mother to eat healthy meals and
consume the right amount of calories. Both plays a major part in the growth and development of
the baby. A pregnant woman should gain 20percent of her ideal baby weight for the fetus to
grow correctly (ZTNCITF, 2014). Which means she needs to take in an additional 300 calories a
day.

Cultural Factors: Pregnant women who lives in an industrialized nation are in danger of inhaling
harmful chemicals. Harmful chemicals like mercury can cause brain damage.

Learning/Play-Based Strategies: Mothers can place head-phone sets on belly, so the fetus can
hear music. Mothers can read children books to their baby, while in the womb.

References
Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development. (9th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
McElroy, M. (2013, January 2). While in womb, babies begin learning language from their
mothers. Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/01/02/while-in-womb-babiesbegin-learning-language-from-their-mothers/
Nudelman, L., & Lao, J. (2014). Age Norms: Prenatal Physical Development. Retrieved from
http://parentingliteracy.com/humor/56-physical-development/108-age-norms-prenatal-phsical
Thompson, B. L., Levitt & Stanwood, G.D. (2009). Prenatal exposure to drugs: effects on brain
development and implications for policy and education. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, (4), 303312. Doi: 10.1038/nm2598