STAGES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BEFORE BIRTH

Growth - generally refers to changes in size.

Development - occurs through maturation of physical & mental capacities & learning.
Stages of Human Development Conception to Birth
1. Fertilization of the Ovum
 egg that has been fertilized by sperm.
 sperms are deposited in the vagina and move through the uterus into the fallopian tubes.
 If the sperm reaches the fallopian tube within 36 hours during the ovulation period, there will be
an egg ready for fertilization in one of the fallopian tubes.
 Nearly 300 – 400 million sperm cells may have made the journey to the fallopian tube, yet only
ONE of these sperms will fertilize the egg.
 During fertilization, only the head of a sperm enters an egg, so the father’s mitochondria are not
passed on to the offspring.
Acrosome – a sperm cell penetrates an ovum and releases the enzymes stored here. These enzymes break
down the jelly-like outer layers of the ovum.
The head of the sperm enters the ovum, and the nuclei of the ovum and the sperm fuse together to
produce a Diploid cell called a Zygote which will later develop into a new organism.
The nucleus of the sperm and that of the egg each has 23 chromosomes. When they unite through
fertilization, a zygote with 46 chromosomes, or 23 chromosome pairs, is formed.
Period of the Zygote

 begins when egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube.

 period of rapid cell division
 ends 2 weeks later when the zygote is implanted in the wall of the uterus
Fertilization is complete when the nucleus of the sperm joins the nucleus of an egg.
2. Embryonic Development
 Cell division takes place as the zygote travels back down the oviduct toward the uterus, a journey
of 6 – 7 days after fertilization.
 Eventually, the zygote becomes a small ball of cells (blastocyst) that attaches itself to the uterine
wall in the process called Implantation. The zygote is now called an Embryo.
 It takes about 9 months from the time the embryo becomes implanted on the walls of the uterus
until a baby is born. The period of development from fertilized egg to birth is called Pregnancy.
 Part of the uterine wall produces the Villi, which constitutes the s, along with other blood vessels
and capillaries.
 An Umbilical Cord forms and connects the placenta to the embryo. Nutrients and oxygen in the
mother’s blood are transported to the embryo through veins in the umbilical cord. Carbon dioxide
and other wastes are carried away from the embryo through an artery in the umbilical cord to the
mother’s bloodstream for disposal.
During the 3rd week of pregnancy, a thin membrane called the Amniotic Sac begins to form around the
embryo. It becomes filled with a clear liquid called amniotic fluid, which helps cushion and protect the
embryo.

Development of the Human Embryo Inside the Uterus

(First 2 months of pregnancy the child is called embryo)
Conception – Zygote – Embryo - Fetus
Period of the Embryo

 3 to 8 weeks after conception

  body parts are formed.
 embryo rests in the amnion filled with amniotic fluid
 umbilical cord joins embryo to placenta
Fetal Development

 During the 3rd month of pregnancy, the developing embryo begins to look more human – eyes,
fingers, toes, arms, and legs will have developed – and is now called a Fetus.
 By this time, too, all the major organs are present to some extent.
 The fetal heart can be heard beating, and the mother starts feeling the movement of the fetus
within the uterus.
 The fetus also begins to suck its thumb.
 By the 3rd month the sex of the fetus can be determined by an ultrasound test. The fetus becomes
more active as it moves around in the uterus.
 By the end of the 7th month of pregnancy, a layer of fat develops under the skin, and fetal bones
begin to harden.
Period of the Fetus

 from 9 weeks after conception to birth

 increase in size and systems begin to function
 age of viability: 22 to 28 weeks
First Month - end of the first month, the embryo is about 1/10 of an inch long. The heart, which is no
larger than a poppy seed, has begun beating.
Two Months - The embryo is about 1 inch long and has distinct, slightly webbed fingers. Veins are
clearly visible. The heart has divided into right and left chambers.
Three Months - By now the fetus is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long and is fully formed. He has begun swallowing
and kicking. All organs and muscles have formed and are beginning to function.
Four Months - Your baby is covered with a layer of thick, downy hair called lanugo. His heartbeat can
be heard clearly. This is when you may feel your baby's first kick.
Five Months - A protective coating called vernix caseosa begins to form on baby's skin. By the end of
this month, your baby will be nearly 8 inches long and weigh almost a pound.
Six Months - Eyebrows and eyelids are visible. Your baby's lungs are filled with amniotic fluid, and he
has started breathing motions. If you talk or sing, he can hear you.
Seven Months - By the end of the seventh month, your baby weighs about 3 1/2 pounds and is about 12
inches long. His body is well-formed. Fingernails cover his fingertips.
Eight Months - Your baby is gaining about half a pound per week, and layers of fat are piling on. He has
probably turned head-down in preparation for birth. He weighs between 4 to 6 pounds.
Nine Months - Your baby is a hefty 6 to 9 pounds and measures between 19 and 22 inches. As he
becomes more crowded, you may feel him move around less.
Ultrasound - an essential imaging tool that helps us see a fetus in the womb. It uses high-frequency
sound waves and their echoes. The technique is like the echolocation used by bats, whales, and dolphins
as well as the SONAR used by submarines.
Influences on Prenatal Development

 General Risk Factors

o Nutrition: adequate amount of food, protein, vitamins, and minerals
o Stress: decreases oxygen to fetus and weakens mother’s immune system
o Mother’s Age: neither too young, nor too old
 Teratogens: Diseases, Drugs, and Environmental Hazards
o Many diseases pass through the placenta directly and attack the fetus
o Dangerous drugs not limited to cocaine but include alcohol and caffeine.
 o Environmental hazards
o Teratogen - any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. It may cause a
birth defect in the child or may halt the pregnancy outright. The classes of teratogens include
radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.
 How Teratogens Influence Prenatal Development
o Not universally harmful
o Structures at a particular point in development in particular animals
 Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment
o Amniocentesis
o Chorionic Villus Sampling

Birth

 By the 9th month, the fetus has usually rotated to a head-down position inside the uterus. The time for
birth has arrived.
 The birth process begins with the onset of Labor, the muscular contractions of the uterus. As the
contractions become stronger and in closer succession, the amniotic sac usually breaks and releases
its fluid.
 Eventually, the contractions cause the opening of the uterus to widen so the baby can pass through the
vagina and then out into the world, taking in his/her first gasp of air.
Labor and Delivery
Stage 1: starts when the muscles of the uterus contract and ends when the cervix is fully enlarged (about
10 cm)
Stage 2: baby is pushed down the birth canal.
Stage 3: placenta is expelled.
Approaches to Childbirth

 Childbirth classes provide information about pregnancy and childbirth, teach pain control through
deep breathing, imagery, and supportive coaching.
 Mothers who attend classes use less medication during labor and feel more positive about labor and
birth.
Birth Complications
Lack of oxygen (anoxia): Often leads to surgical removal of the fetus (C-section)
Premature and Small-for-date infants
Prematurity is less serious than small-for-date.
The Newborn

 Assessing the newborn: Apgar to assess newborns’ health; NBAS for a comprehensive assessment of
infants.
 4 primary states: alert inactivity, waking activity, crying, sleeping.
 Half of newborns’ sleep is REM (deep sleep)
 Putting the baby to sleep on their back may prevent SIDS
Postpartum Depression

 Half of all new moms feel some irritation, resentment, and crying.
 10-15% feel more severe postpartum depression.
 Postpartum depression affects warmth and enthusiasm of mothering.