PRE-NATAL DEVELOPMENT

CONCEPTION – The union of a

male sperm cell and a female egg
cell to form a new organism.
Stages of Pre-Natal Development
Divided into three stages:

Germinal Period
Embryonic Period
Fetal Period
Germinal Period
 Happens 2 weeks after conception
 Creation of the Zygote
 Continued cell division: and
 The attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall
 Rapid cell division
 By the end of the stage, the fertilized egg becomes a
blastocyst and plants itself in the wall of the uterus.
Embryonic Period
 Happens 2 to 8 weeks after conception
 Zygote becomes embryo
 Cell differentiation intensifies
 Life-support systems for the embryo develop
 Organs appear
Organogenesis

 The process of organ formation

during the first two months of
pre-natal development.
Fetal Development
 2 to 7 months after conception
 Growth and development continue dramatically during
this period.
 Fetus is about 3inches long
 It has become more active by moving its arms and legs
opens and closes its mouth, and move its head
 The genitals can now be identified as male or female
4th month (16 weeks)
 Fetus is about 6inches long
 Stronger pre-natal reflexes
 First arm and feet movement are felt by the mother
5th month (20weeks)
 Fetus is about 12inches long
 Structure of the skin have formed
 Fetus is more active
6th month (24 weeks)
 Fetus is about 14inches long
 Eyes and eyelids are completely formed
 Fine layer of hair covers the head
 Grasping reflex present and irregular movements occur
9th month (38 weeks)
 Fetus is 19 to 20 inches long
 The lungs are mature
 Baby is now fully developed and can survive outside the mother’s body
 Skin is pink and smooth
 He/She settles down lower in the abdomen in preparation for birth and may seem less active