Fetal development

Dr. Thabat J. Al-Maiahy

MBCHB, DOG, CAOG
objectives
• Define fertilization
• Describe the site of fertilization and
implantation
• Identify the stages of fetal
development
 Fetal Development

• Measured in the number of weeks

after fertilization
• Average pregnancy lasts 280 days
or 40 weeks from the date of the
last menstrual period (LMP)
• Fertilization usually occurs 14 days
after the LMP
 Three Stages of
Fetal Development

• Preembryonic stage: fertilization

through the second week
• Embryonic stage: end of second
week through the eighth week
• Fetal stage: ninth week until birth
 Preembryonic Stage
(Stage 1)

• Fertilization - union of the ovum and

sperm in the outer 3rd of the fallopian
tube creating a zygote
• The union restores the diploid number of
46 chromosomes
 Preembryonic Stage
(Stage 1)
• Zygote undergoes cleavages
(mitosis) as it is transported to the
uterine cavity in 72⁰
• Cleavages create a ball of 16 cells
called a morula, which divides into
cells that form fetal structures
 Preembryonic Stage
(Stage 1)
• Blastocysts - inner cells form the
embryo and the amnion
• Trophoblasts - outer cells form the
embryonic membranes, Chorion and
placenta
• Implantation in the endometrium
occurs between the 7th to 10th day.
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
• A placenta is an organ of round or oval shape
• It is about 20 cm in length, weight of 600g
• It is composed of two different surfaces,
 the maternal surface,
 fetal surface,
• the umbilical cord, the link between the placenta and
the fetus.
 Embryonic Stage
Fetal surface (Stage 2)
• is covered by a structure called the amnion, or amniotic
membrane. Underlying the amnion is the chorion, a
thicker membrane. This structure of the
• placenta is continuous with the lining of the uterine wall.
• Emerging from the chorion are the villi where lies a
system of fetal capillaries (blood vessels) to allow
maximum contact area with the maternal blood (also
known as the intervillous space
• Also visible on the fetal surface of the placenta are the
umbilical veins and arteries that spread out from where
is situated the umbilical cord, near the center of the
organ
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
Maternal surface
• is composed of the decidua,
• There are different portions to the decidua
that have specific names according to
where they are located and what their
function is:
• •Decidua capsularis, decidua basalis,
decidua placentalis, decidua vera, decidua
parietalis
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
Maternal surface
• Also visible on the maternal surface are lobules,
approximately 15 to 20 called cotyledons. They are divided
by deep channels more commonly known as sulci. Each
individual lobule is divided into smaller sections containing
one villi. These villi are the same ones emerging from the
chorion, containing fetal capillaries, which bathe in the
intervillous space (it is important to note that fetal and
maternal blood never mix).
• Embeded in the decidua are maternal veins and arteries
that end in the intervillous space. They are also in
continuous with the maternal circulation.
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
Placenta
• Functioning by end of the 3rd wk.
• Produces hormones that control the
basic physiology of the mother and near
term mature fetal organs for life outside
of the uterus
• Protects the fetus from immune attack
by the mother
• Removes waste produced by the fetus
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
• Placental barrier prevents the mix of
maternal blood with fetal blood
Placental Hormones
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
• Human placental lactogen (hPL)
• Estrogen, progesterone
• Relaxin
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
Amniotic Fluid
• Surrounds embryo,
• Helps maintain a constant body
temperature for the fetus
• Permits symmetric growth and
development
• Cushions the fetus from trauma
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
Amniotic Fluid Function
• Allows the umbilical cord to be relatively
free of compression
• Promotes fetal movement to enhance
musculoskeletal development
 Embryonic Stage
(Stage 2)
Umbilical cord
• Life line between mother and embryo
• 1 large vein & 2 small arteries (AVA)
• Wharton’s jelly surrounds the blood
vessels preventing compression
• Term length 22 in. / 1 in. wide
• Central insertion site on the placenta
 Embryonic stage 3rd to 8th wk.
• Neural tube forms
• Brain waves detectable
• Heart development completed and beats
• Arms and legs move
• Resembles a human being
• Weight 1gram
 Fetal Stage
(Stage 3)
9Th week to Birth
• 12 wks.- heart beat heard with Doppler,
sex is distinguishable, placenta
formation completed
• 13-16 wks.- fetal movement (quickening)
felt by mother
• 17-20 wks.- heart beat can be heard
with a stethoscope
 Fetal Stage
(Stage 3)
• 21-24 wks.- lungs produce surfactant
• 24-32 wks.- alveoli begin to mature,
eyelids can open and close, increase in
subcutaneous fat
• 32-40 wks.- fetus kicks actively, lanugo
decrease, weight 7-8 lb’s
Length 17.3-19.2 in
 Fetal Circulation
• Needed to sustain the fetus
• Must develop quickly and accurately
since the fetal nutrient needs Increase
as the embryo advances to a fetus
• Oxygen received from the placenta
• Placenta functions for the fetal lungs
and liver