Prenatal and Postnatal

DEVELOPMENT
Prenatal
Development
 Itis the process of growth and development in the womb in which a
single-cell zygote becomes an embryo, a fetus, and then a child.
 Simple cell multiplication concerns the first two weeks of growth. This
small mass of cells then adheres to the uterus’ inner wall. The next three
weeks, as the cell mass splits into distinct primitive structures, see intense
cell differentiation. The embryo took on a approximately human form at
the end of eight weeks and is called a fetus. The primitive circulatory,
nervous, pulmonary and the other systems of the fetus will mature for the
next twenty weeks, and it will begin to move its limbs. Fat starts to
accumulate under the skin at 28 weeks, toenails and fingernails appear,
nad body and scalp sprout downy hair. The fetus may periodically open
their eyes. The fetus remains to gain weight for the remaining weeks of
growth, and its inner structures are reaching complete gowth.
Stages of Prenatal Development
TRIVIA
Stages of Prenatal Development

Germinal Stage
 begins at conception when the sperm and egg cell unite in one of the two fallopian
tubes. 
Stages of Prenatal Development

Embryonic Stage
 The embryonic stage plays an important role in the development of the brain. 
 The embryo begins to divide into three layers each of which will become an
important body system.
 The neural tube begins to form along an area known as the neural plate. 
Stages of Prenatal Development

 Fetal Stage
 The fetal period of prenatal develop marks more important changes in the brain
 begins during the ninth week and lasts until birth.
 It is at this point in prenatal development that the neural tube develops into the
brain and spinal cord and neurons continue to form.
 Synapses, or the connections between neurons, also begin to develop.
Prenatal Care
 also known as antenatal care, is a type of preventive health care. Its goal is to
provide regular check-ups that allow doctors or midwives to treat and prevent
potential health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy and to promote
healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child.
Nutrition

 A balanced diet is important. It must have proteins, vitamins, and minerals. When
a pregnant woman does not provide these nourishment’s, the infant is likely to be
born prematurely and tend to be underweight.
Age

• The mother’s age can affect prenatal development. Teen mother’s

are at risk of miscarriages. Women who are between 20 and 35 are
healthy and have been better health care. However, women above
35 are more likely to experience difficulties in pregnancy and
highly susceptible to miscarriage.
Rest and Exercise

• Chronic stress and inability to rest, exercise, and eat properly can weaken a pregnant
woman’s immune system
Drugs, illness, and environmental
hazards
• A.) Ingesting substances like alcohol, aspirin, caffeine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or
nicotine could contribute to mental retardation, fetal alcohol syndrome, and cognitive
impairement in the infant.
• B.) Diseases like veneral disease, AIDS, and German meales, can lead to neurogical
disorders, encephalitis, deafness, or blindness in the infant.
• C.) Exposure to hazards like lead, mercury, and x-ray,can cause mental retardatiom,
cerebral palsy, or leukemia in infant
Postnatal Development
• Begins immediately after the birth of a child as
the mother's body, including hormone levels
and uterus size, returns to a non-pregnant state.
Prehension

• Refers to grasping object

( palmar grasping )
Language Development
• Infants begin life with no language other than
cries and grunts.
• Babies learn to say their first word at about
one year.
Postnatal Care
• Postnatal care (PNC) is the care given
to the mother and her newborn baby
immediately after the birth and for the
first six weeks of life
Importance of Postnatal Care

• effective postnatal care can make the most difference to

the health and life chances of mothers and newborns is in
the early neonatal period
• To avoid neonatal death