Ed101 Module 4

Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Fuentes Drive, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 Fax No. (036) 6214-578
website: www.capsu.edu.ph email address:
roxas@capsu.edu.ph
Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)

Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 Fax No. (036) 6214-578
roxas@capsu.edu.ph
Module 4: Pre-Natal Stages
Overview:
While you might think of child development as something that begins during
infancy, the prenatal period is also considered an important part of the developmental
process. Prenatal development is a time of remarkable change that helps set the stage for
future psychological development. The brain develops over the course of the prenatal
period, but it will continue to go through more changes during the early years of
childhood. To make the description of human development complete, it may be good to
understand the beginnings of the child and adolescent, the learners.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, you must have:
1. Traced the course of the pre-natal developmental process that you went through.
2. Explained the hazards of pre-natal development
3. Appreciated the gift of life manifested in an anti-abortion stand.
Content:
1. Stages of Pre-Natal Development
2. Teratology and Hazards to Prenatal Development
Discussion:
Stages of Pre-Natal Development
Pre-natal development is divided into three (3) periods germinal, embryonic and fetal.
1. Germinal Period (First 2 weeks after conception). This includes the a) creation of the
zygote, b) continued cell division and c) the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall.
The following are the details of development during this period:
a. 24 to 30 hours after fertilization - the male (sperm) and female (egg)
chromosome unite
b. 36 hours - the fertilized ovum, zygote, divides into two (2); 2 cells

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c. 48 hours - (2 days) 2 cells become 4 cells

d. 72 hours - (3 days) 4 cells become a small compact ball of 16-32 cells
e. 96 hours - (4 days) 'hollow ball of 64-128 cells
f. 4-5 days - inner cell mass (blastocyst) still free in the uterus
g. 6-7 days - blastocyst attaches to the wall of uterus
h. 11-15 days - blastocyst invades into uterine wall and becomes implanted in it
(implantation)
In the germinal period, the differentiation of

cells already begins as inner and outer layers of the
organism are formed. The blastocyst, the inner layer
of cells that develops during the germinal period,
develops later into the embryo. The trophoblast, the
outer layer of cells that develops also during the
germinal period, later provides nutrition and support
for the embryo (Nelson, Textbook of Pediatrics, 17th
ed., 2004).
When implantation is successful, hormonal
changes halt the normal menstrual cycle and cause a whole host of physical changes. For
some people, activities they previously enjoyed such as smoking and drinking alcohol or
coffee may become less palatable, possibly part of nature’s way of protecting the growing
life inside them (https://www.verywellmind.com/stages-of-prenatal-development-
2795073).
2. Embryonic Period (2-8 weeks after conception). At this point, the mass of cells is now
known as an embryo. The beginning of the third week after conception marks the start of
the embryonic period, a time when the mass of cells becomes distinct as a human. The
embryonic stage plays an important role in the development of the brain. The following
developments take place:
a) cell differentiation intensities
b) life-support systems for the embryo develop and
c) organs appear
As the zygote gets

attached to the wall of the
uterus, two layers of cells are
formed. The embryo’s
endoderm, the inner layer of
cells, develops into the
digestive and respiratory
systems. The outer layer of
cells is divided into two parts the ectoderm and the mesoderm. The ectoderm is the
outermost layer which becomes the nervous system, sensory receptors (eyes, ears, nose)
and skin parts (nails, hair). The mesoderm is the middle layer which becomes the

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circulatory, skeletal, muscular, excretory and reproductive systems. This process of organ
formation during the first two months of prenatal development is called organogenesis.
As the three layers of the embryo form, the support systems for the embryo
develop rapidly. These life-support systems are the placenta, the umbilical cord and the
amnion. The placenta is a life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped group of
tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and the offspring intertwine but do
not join. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein that connect the baby to the
placenta. The amnion is a bag or an envelope that contains a clear fluid in which the
developing embryo floats. All these embryo life - support systems develop from the
fertilized egg and not from the mother’s body.
3. Fetal period (2 months to 7 months after conception). Once cell differentiation is

mostly complete, the embryo enters the next stage and becomes known as a fetus. The
fetal period of prenatal develop marks more important changes in the brain. This period of
development begins during the ninth week and lasts until birth. This stage is marked by
amazing change and growth. The details of the developmental process are as follows:
a. 3 months after conception - fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs about 1
ounce; fetus has become active, moves its arms and legs, opens and closes its mouth, and
moves its head; the face, forehead, eyelids, nose, chin can now be distinguished and also
the upper arms, lower arms, hands, and lower limbs; the genitals can now be identified as
male or female.
b. 4 months after conception - fetus is about 6 inches long and. weighs 4 to 7
ounces; growth spurt occurs in the body’s lower parts; pre-natal reflexes are stronger;
mother feels arm and leg movements for the first time.
c. 5 months after conception fetus - is about 12 inches long; weighs close to a
pound; structures of the skin (fingernails, toenails) have formed; fetus is more active.
d. 6 months after conception - fetus is about 14 inches long and weighs one and
half pound; eyes and eyelids are completely formed; fine layer of head covers the head;
grasping reflex is present and irregular movements occur.
e. 7 months
after conception - fetus
is about 16 inches long
and weighs 3 pounds
f. 8 and 9
months after
conception fetus grows
longer and gains
substantial weight,
about 4 pounds

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Teratology and Hazards to Prenatal Development
Teratogens are any agents from the environment that can cause harm to the
developing fetus. Many harmful agents cause damage only if exposure occurs during a
sensitive period of prenatal development. Critical factors that influence the degree of harm
a teratogen will cause: 1) the amount and length of exposure; and 2) individual differences
in susceptibility.
The impact of a teratogen depends on
the genotype of the organism (e.g.
thalidomide, alcohol). The impact of
teratogens changes of the course of prenatal
development. Each teratogen affects a specific
aspect (or aspects) of prenatal development.
Impact of teratogens depends on the dosage.
Damage from teratogens is not always evident
at birth but may appear later in life. Impact of
teratogens often depends on quality of
postnatal environment.
Hazards to Pre-Natal Development:

1. Prescription and nonprescription drugs - These include prescription as well as non-
prescription drugs. Antibiotic is an example of a prescription drug that can be harmful.
Examples of harmful nonprescription drugs are diet pills, aspirin, and coffee. Remember
the thalidomide tragedy in 1961? Many pregnant women took in thalidomide, a
tranquilizer, to alleviate their morning sickness that gave rise to several deformed babies.
Cocaine exposure during pre-natal development is associated with reduced birth
weight, length and head circumference, impaired motor development, impaired
information processing poor attention skills.
2. Psychoactive drugs - These include nicotine, caffeine and illegal drugs such as
marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Researchers found that pregnant women who drank more
caffeinated coffee were more likely to have preterm deliveries and newborns with lower
birth weight compared to their counterparts who did not drink caffeinated coffee.
Heavy drinking by pregnant women results to the so-called fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS) which is a cluster of abnormalities that appears in the children of mothers who
drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy. These abnormalities include facial deformities
and defective limbs, face and heart. Most of these children are below average in
intelligence and some are mentally retarded.
3. Environmental hazards - These include radiation in jobsites and X-rays,

environmental pollutants, toxic wastes, and prolonged exposure to heat in saunas and bath
tubs. Research found that chromosomal abnormalities are higher among the offspring of

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fathers exposed to high levels of radiation in their occupations. Radiation from X-rays also
can affect the developing embryo and fetus, with the most dangerous time being the first
several weeks after conception when women do not yet know that they are pregnant.
Researchers found that toxic wastes Such as carbon monoxide, mercury and lead caused
defects in animals exposed to high doses. For instance, early exposure to lead affects
children’s mental development.
4. Other maternal factors such as Rubella (German Measles), syphilis, genital herpes,
AIDS, nutrition, high anxiety and stress, age.
A rubella (German measles) in 1964-65

resulted in 30,000 pre-natal and neonatal (newborn)
deaths and more than 20,000 affected infants who were
born with malformations, including mental retardation,
blindness, deafness and heart problems. Syphilis
damages organs after they have formed. These
damages include eye lesions, which can cause
blindness, and skin lesions. When syphilis is present at birth, other problems involving the
central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, can develop. About one-third of babies
delivered through a herpes-infected birth canal die; another one-fourth become
braindamaged
A mother can infect her child in three ways; 1) during gestation across the
placenta, 2) during delivery through contact with maternal blood or fluids, and 3)
postpartum (after birth) through breastfeeding.
It is recognized that maternal malnutrition during pregnancy may result to
inadequate growth in the fetus. If a fetus does not receive enough nourishment, the rate of
cell division is seriously hampered. An extremely deprived fetus may have 20% fewer
brain cells than normal. If an infant has been malnourished both in utero and infancy, the
brain may be as much as 60% smaller than that of the normal child.
Human Life Begins at Conception

Human life begins from the moment of conception. All that we have and all that
we are have been there at the moment of conception! The fact that you have brown eyes
and black, straight or curly hair and the fact that you will turn bald at age 50 have been
there already at the moment of conception. What was added in the process of development
is nutrition.
In a film on abortion “The Silent Scream,” the mother submitted herself to a
medical doctor for abortion in her third month of pregnancy. When the abortionist inserted
his scalpel into the woman’s womb to crush the head of the fetus, very clearly in that film,
the fetus had his/her mouth open like he was screaming for help as he evaded the deadly
scalpel of the abortionist. That’s why the film was given the title “The Silent Scream.”
This only means that the developing being in the womb is a human being not just a
conglomeration of cells or tissues.
Based on these facts, it is wrong to do abortion. The womb is supposed to be the
safest of all places for human development. Unfortunately, however, with the scourge of

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roxas@capsu.edu.ph
abortion, it has become a tomb. The development that takes place in 3 stages proves that
the developing embryo in a mother’s womb is truly a human being.
Evaluation:
1. Read a research that is related to one of the big ideas on pre-natal development or
hazards to pre-natal development. Fill out the matrix below.
Questions:
1. How are the findings of this research useful to
a. teachers?
b. you, as an Ed101 student?
c. mothers?

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Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Module 4: Pre-Natal Stages

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

c. 48 hours - (2 days) 2 cells become 4 cells

In the germinal period, the differentiation of

As the zygote gets

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

3. Fetal period (2 months to 7 months after conception). Once cell differentiation is

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Teratology and Hazards to Prenatal Development

Hazards to Pre-Natal Development:

3. Environmental hazards - These include radiation in jobsites and X-rays,

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

A rubella (German measles) in 1964-65

Human Life Begins at Conception

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

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