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1 Discovering the Life Span

1 Fifth Edition
2 Chapter 2
The Start of Life
3 Module 2.2
Prenatal Growth and Change
2 Section in Module 2.2
•The Prenatal Period
3 Learning Objectives
2.7: Explain the process of fertilization and the three stages of development.
2.8: Describe some of the physical and ethical challenges that relate to pregnancy.
2.9: Describe the threats to the fetal environment and what can be done about them.
4 THE PRENATAL PERIOD
Module 2.2 Prenatal Growth and Change
5 The Moment of Conception and the Onset of Development
1 LO 2.7 Explain the process of fertilization and the three stages of development.
2 •Fertilization occurs when the sperm and ovum join to form a new cell.
•The Germinal Stage: Fertilization to 2 Weeks
–Cell division
–Baby is a zygote
–Cells form protective layer
–Placenta provides nourishment and oxygen
6 Figure 2-9: Anatomy of
the Female Reproductive Organs
The basic anatomy of the female reproductive organs is illustrated in this cutaway view.
Source: Based on Moore & Persaud, 2003.
7 The Moment of Conception and the Onset of Development
1 LO 2.7 Explain the process of fertilization and the three stages of development.
2 •The Embryonic Stage: 2 to 8 Weeks
–Baby called an embryo
–Baby composed of three layers:
▪Ectoderm
▪Endoderm
▪Mesoderm
–Brain undergoes rapid growth
8 The Moment of Conception and the Onset of Development (3 of 3)
1 LO 2.7 Explain the process of fertilization and the three stages of development.
2 •The Fetal Stage: 8 weeks to Birth
–Baby called a fetus

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Baby called a fetus

–Dramatic increase in size and weight
–Organs become differentiated and operational
–Brain becomes increasingly sophisticated
▪Hemispheres grow rapidly
▪Neurons become coated with myelin
–By 3 months, fetus swallows and urinates; by 4 months, mother can feel movement
–In weeks 8 to 24, hormones begin the differentiation that results in male or female fetus
9 Embryo and Fetus
(a) Germinal stage: fertilization to 2 weeks (b) Embryonic stage: 2 weeks to 8 weeks (c) Fetal
stage: 8 weeks to birth
10 Figure 2-10: Body Proportions
During the fetal period, the proportions of the body change dramatically. At 2 months, the
head represents about half the fetus, but by the time of birth, it is one quarter of its total size.
11 Pregnancy Problems
1 LO 2.8 Describe some of the physical and ethical challenges that relate to pregnancy.
2 •Infertility
–Inability to conceive after trying 12 to 18 months
–About 15 percent of couples will have problems
–Causes
▪Age of parents
▪Previous use of birth control, illicit drugs, or cigarettes
▪Men who have low sperm count
▪Woman’s mother taking certain drugs during pregnancy
▪Most common cause: Failure to ovulate
12 Pregnancy Problems
•Infertility
–Treatments
▪Artificial insemination (Sperm Donor)
–Intracervical insemination (ICI)
–Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
▪In vitro fertilization (IVF)
–Intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
–Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
•Sometimes a surrogate mother used
–Pregnancy rates as high as 48 percent; live births lower
–Ethical considerations
13 Figure 2-11: Older Women and Risks of Pregnancy
Not only does the rate of infertility increase as women get older, but the risk of chromosomal
abnormality also increases.
Source: Based on Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey(2002), Age and rate of
infertility in women.

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infertility in women.
14 The Prenatal Environment:
Threats to Development
1 LO 2.9 Describe the threats to the fetal environment and what can be done about them.

2 •Teratogen
–Impact of teratogens depend on when they occur
–Different organ systems are vulnerable at different times
•Mother’s Diet (Nutritional Needs)
–Important in supporting development of fetus
–High-nutrient diet leads to fewer complications
–Diet is immense concern worldwide
15 Figure 2-12: Teratogen Sensitivity
Depending on their state of development, some parts of the body vary in their sensitivity to
teratogens.
Source: Moore, 1974.
16 The Prenatal Environment:
Threats to Development
1 LO 2.9 Describe the threats to the fetal environment and what can be done about them.

2 •Mother’s Age
–Mothers over 30 have greater risk of complications:
▪Premature birth
▪Low birth weight
▪Down syndrome
▪Infant mortality
•Mother’s Health
–Illness can cause devastating consequences:
▪Rubella
▪Chicken pox
▪Syphilis and gonorrhea
▪AIDS
▪Mental health
17 The Prenatal Environment:
Threats to Development
1 LO 2.9 Describe the threats to the fetal environment and what can be done about them.

2 •Mother’s Drug Use

–Legal and illegal drugs pose risk
▪Legal drugs
▪Illegal drugs
–Marijuana restricts oxygen

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Marijuana restricts oxygen

–Cocaine restricts oxygen and blood flow
18 The Prenatal Environment:
Threats to Development
1 LO 2.9 Describe the threats to the fetal environment and what can be done about them.

2 •Mother’s Use of Alcohol and Tobacco

–Small amounts can impact fetus
–Alcohol
▪Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
▪Fetal alcohol effects (FAE)
▪Two drinks a day has been associated with lower intelligence
–Tobacco Use
▪Reduces oxygen and increases carbon monoxide
▪Babies can miscarry or be born low birth weight
▪Babies are shorter and 50 percent more likely to have intellectual disability
19 The Prenatal Environment:
Threats to Development
1 LO 2.9 Describe the threats to the fetal environment and what can be done about them.

2 •Do Fathers Affect the Prenatal Environment?

–Secondhand smoke
–Alcohol and illegal drug use can lead to chromosomal damage at conception
–Stress may be unhealthy for mother
–Sperm damage from environmental toxins
20 Pregnancy Problems
•Miscarriage
•Miscarriage is spontaneous abortion
–Pregnancy ends before child is viable
–15 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage
▪Many times mother not aware of pregnancy
▪Usually due to genetic abnormality
–Women who suffer miscarriages experience anxiety, depression, and grief
▪Depression rates for women who have had a miscarriage remain high
21 Pregnancy Problems
•Abortion
–Abortion is voluntary termination of pregnancy
▪About one in five pregnancies end in abortion worldwide
▪Decision to abort is difficult
▪Physical, psychological, legal and ethical issues may arise
22 Review: Prenatal Growth and Change

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•Fertilization joins the sperm and ovum.

•The germinal stage is fertilization to two weeks.
•The embryonic stage is 2 to 8 weeks.
•During the embryonic stage, the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm grow and specialize.
•The fetal stage is 8 weeks to birth.
•The fetal stage is characterized by rapid increase in complexity and differentiation of organs.
23 Development in Your Life: Optimizing the Prenatal Environment
•Optimizing pregnancy
•Planning
•Schedule nonemergency X-rays only during first 2 weeks after menstrual periods
•Get vaccinations 3 months before getting pregnant
•Discontinue birth control pills 3 months before pregnancy
•Eat well before and during pregnancy
•Don’t use alcohol or other drugs
•Monitor caffeine intake
•Don’t smoke
•Exercise regularly
24 Review: Prenatal Growth and Change

•Some couples need medical aid to conceive.

•Options for infertility include IVF and artificial insemination.
•A teratogen is a drug, chemical, or virus that produces birth defects.
•Factors in the mother that can affect the unborn fetus are diet, age, and illness and drug,
alcohol, or tobacco use.
•The behaviors of fathers can affect the health and development of an unborn child.
25 Check Yourself:
Prenatal Growth and Change
The fertility treatment in which fertilization is induced inside the mother’s body is known as
_________.
A) artificial insemination
B) intracervical insemination
C) intrauterine insemination
D) in vitro fertilization
26 Check Yourself:
Prenatal Growth and Change
Fertilization that occurs outside the mother’s body is called __________.
A) artificial insemination
B) infertility
C) in vitro fertilization
D) intracervical insemination
27 Check Yourself:

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Check Yourself:
Prenatal Growth and Change
Match the following descriptions of prenatal development to their appropriate labels:
germinal, embryonic, and fetal.
A) This stage lasts from 8 weeks until birth and involves the differentiation of major
organs._______________
B) From 2 to 8 weeks following fertilization, when the major organs and basic anatomy
begin developing.____________________
C) The first and shortest stage, where the zygote begins to divide and grow in
complexity during the first 2 weeks following conception.___________________
28 Check Yourself:
Prenatal Growth and Change
A __________ is an environmental agent such as a drug, chemical, virus, or other factor that
produces a birth defect.
A) terminal button
B) teratogen
C) terrapin
D) chromosome
29 Applying Lifespan Development
Studies show that “crack babies” (babies born to mothers who used cocaine during
pregnancy) who are starting school have significant difficulty dealing with multiple stimuli
and forming close attachments. How might both genetic and environmental influences have
combined to produce these results?