Prenatal Fact Sheet

Physical Milestones
In the first trimester of pregnancy, which is the first twelve weeks, the basic structures of the
fetus are developing. During this trimester, the fetus forms a face, arms, legs, toes, fingers, heart,
muscles, ribs, and backbone (Berk, 2013). During the second trimester, which is weeks 13 to 24,
the fetus rapidly grows and the eyes are sensitive to light (Berk, 2013). During the third
trimester, the fetus’ lungs mature and it rotates to an upside-down position for birth (Berk, 2013).

Language Milestones
During the prenatal period, the fetus cannot talk, so limited language milestones are developed.
Although, during the second trimester, the fetus reacts to sound, such as the mothers voice (Berk,
2013). “They show systematic heart rate changes in response to a male versus a female speaker,
to the mother’s voice versus a stranger’s, to a stranger speaking their native language (English)
versus a foreign language (Mandarin Chinese), and to a simple familiar melody (descending
tones) versus an unfamiliar melody (ascending tones)” (Berk, 2013, sec. 3.3). At thirty weeks,
sensory and brain mechanisms for hearing are developed and the unborn baby can listen to their
mother talk during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy (McElroy, 2013).

Cognitive Milestones
Between weeks 13 to 24, most of the fetus’ brain’s neurons should be in place (Berk, 2013).
During the last trimester, the fetus has rapid brain development which causes its’ sensory and
behavioral capacities to expand (Berk, 2013). Also, in the third trimester, the cerebral cortex
enlarges and convolutions and grooves in the surface start to appear (Berk, 2013).
Social-Emotional Milestones
At about the sixth month of pregnancy, babies start to develop emotion. This is due to the fact
that hearing has developed, and the baby is more aware of its surroundings out of the womb
(Farrelly, 2017). A social milestone is that around this same time, the baby may respond to
voices, singing, or music by kicking or pushing in the womb (Farrelly, 2017).

Atypical Development
If the mother cannot feel fetal movement by twenty weeks, the fetus may be developing
atypically. This is because between 17 and 20 weeks, the baby should be large enough to where
to mother is able to feel it move (Berk, 2013). If there is no movement, the fetus may not be
growing typically, or something may be wrong with the fetus. Consult a doctor if there is no fetal
movement by week 20. Another sign of atypical development is if the fetus is not showing much
growth within the second trimester. In this trimester, the fetus is supposed to be growing rapidly,
so there may be something wrong if there is little to no growth.

Social Factor that Influences Prenatal Development

• Talking to the fetus- When the mother talks to her fetus, it helps the baby to recognize her
voice to more easily bond after birth.

Cultural Factor that Influences Prenatal Development

• Maternal stress- this can negatively affect prenatal development because stress on the
mother may lead to poor health, including diet and higher heart rates.

Strategy to Influence Learning and Development

One strategy to help the fetus in brain development is to play music. When a fetus is exposed to
music, there can be positive long-term effects on the fetus’ developing brain and it can enhance
their neural responsiveness to the music (Partanen, Kujala, Tervaniemi, & Huotilainen, 2013). It
may help specifically if an infant is at risk for dyslexia and their auditory processing is shown to
be impaired, prenatal exposure to a structured sound environment may help to support their
auditory processing (Partanen et al., 2013).
 References

Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Retrieved

from https://content.ashford.edu/

Farrelly, L. (2017, October 25). The Emotional Development of the Baby in the Womb.

Retrieved from https://howtoadult.com/the-emotional-development-of-the-baby-in-the-

womb-12212638.html

[Fetal Development (Weeks 9-38)]. (n.d.). Retrieved July 7, 2019, from

https://www.ck12.org/biology/prenatal-development/lesson/The-Human-Fetus-

Advanced-BIO-ADV/

McElroy, M. (2013, January 2). While in womb, babies begin learning language from their

mothers. Retrieved from https://www.washington.edu/news/2013/01/02/while-in-womb-

babies-begin-learning-language-from-their-mothers/

Partanen, E., Kujala, T., Tervaniemi, M., & Huotilainen, M. (2013). Prenatal music exposure

induces long-term neural effects. PloS one, 8(10), e78946.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0078946

[Periods of Fetal Development]. (n.d.). Retrieved July 7, 2019, from

https://www.drugs.ie/drugs_info/about_drugs/drugs_and_pregnancy/