LEARNING MATERIAL 11

Pre-natal Development
- Brenda B. Corpuz, PhD

"The history of man for nine months preceding his birth would probably, be far more
interesting, and contain events of greater moment than all three scores and ten years that
follow it."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
English Poet, Essayist, 19th Century”

LEARNING OUTCOMESL

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

 trace the course of the pre-natal developmental process t you went through.
 explain the most common hazards to pre-natal development
 become more appreciative of the gift of life manifested in an anti-abortion stand.

INTRODUCTION
All the developmental theories which we lengthily discussed dwelt on the developmental
process after birth. None of them was concerned with what development went on before birth.
To make the description of human development complete, it may be good to understand the
beginnings of the child and the adolescent, the learners.
In Unit 1. Module I you met Naschielle and Kenn. You were asked what were before they
have become what and who they are at present. This is the concern of this Unit and Module pre
natal or antenatal development.
ACTIVITY
1. Watch the video on Pro-life anti-abortion video at You Tube and High Tech Photographs of
Fetal Development.
2. Read the article "Life Before Birth" below then answer the following questions:
a. What are your feelings and reactions about what you read?
b. Do you agree that which is developing in the womb is a mere "blob of tissue" or "uterine
contents" as abortionists claim? Share your explanation.

Life before Birth

The Development of the unborn child

The development of human life in the womb was

once a mystery but science and medicine have
changed that Abortion advocates still try to
dehumanize the developing baby in the womb by
speaking of the child as "a blob of tissue" or
"uterine contents. But ultrasound images, prenatal
surgery and other advances in obstetrics are
shattering the blob-of-tissue myth.
Dr. Paul
Rockwell, a New York physician, made these
profound observations after his amazing
encounter with a tiny unborn baby boy. "Eleven
years ago while I was giving an anesthetic for a
ruptured ectopic pregnancy (at two months
gestation), I was handed what I believe was the
smallest living human ever seen. The embryo sac
was intact and transparent. Within the sac was a
tiny human male swimming extremely vigorously
in the amniotic fluid, while attached to the wall by
the umbilical cord."

This tiny human was perfectly developed, with long, tapering fingers, feet and toes. It
was transparent, as regards the skin, and the delicate arteries and veins were prominent
to the ends of the fingers. "The baby was extremely alive and swam about the sac
approximately one time per second, with a natural swimmer's stroke. This tiny human
did not look all like the photos and drawings and models of embryos which I have seen,
nor did it look like a few embryos I have been able to observe since then, obviously
because this one was alive!"
"When the sac was opened, the tiny human immediately lost its life and took on the
appearance of what is accepted as the appearance of an embryo at this stage (blunt
extremities, etc.)
"It is my opinion that if the lawmakers and people realize that this very vigorous life is
present, it is possible that abortion would be found more objectionable than euthanasia."
The point at which Dr. Rockwell witnessed this unborn baby - eight weeks after
conception is during the period that a majority of abortionists describe as most desirable
for performing an abortion.
Source: http://www.mccl.org/Document.Doc?id=159
1. Why are pregnant mothers advised not to smoke, not to drink alcoholic drinks, not to take in
any medication without doctor's advice? Share your answers with your small group.

ANALYSIS

1. Is it more reasonable to believe that which is developing in the mother's womb is a human
being?
2. What are proofs that which is developing in the mother's womb is a living human being?
3. Has any realization from today's discussion changed your stand on abortion? Explain your
answer.
4. What are the effects of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine on the developing embryo / fetus?

ABSTRACTION
The 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
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).

2. Embryonic Period (2-8 weeks after conception). In this stage, the name of the mass cells,
zygote, become embryo.

The following developments take place:

a) cell differentiation intensifies
b) life-support systems for the embryo develop
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, cars, nose) and skin parts (nails, hair). The mesoderm is the middle layer which
becomes the circulatory, skeletal, muscular, excretory and reproductive systems. This
process of organ formation during the first two months of pre natal 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 connects 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). Growth and development continue
dramatically during this . period. The details of the developmental process are as follows
(Santrock, 2002):

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

Teratology and Hazards to Prenatal Development

Teratology is the field that investigates the causes of congenital (birth) defects. A
teratogen is that which causes birth defects. It comes from the Greek word "tera" which means
"monster".

Below are clusters of 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 (Hurt, et al, 1999 cited by Santrock, 2002),
impaired motor development (Arendt, et al, 1999 cited by Santrock, 2002), impaired
information processing (Singer, et al, 1999 cited by Santrock, 2002) and poor attention
skills (Bandstra, 2000 cited by Santrock, 2002).

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
(Eskanazi, et al, 1999 quoted by Santrock, 2002).

Heavy drinking by pregnant women results to the so called fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS) which 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 (Santrock, 2002). Most of these children are below
average in intelligence and some are mentally retarded (Olson, 2000 and Burgess, 1996
quoted by Santrock, 2002).
Fetal and neonatal deaths are higher among smoking mothers. There are also
higher incidences of preterm births and lower birthweights among children with smoking
mothers (Wang, et al, 2000 quoted by Santrock, 2002).
On the average, maternal heroin addicts deliver smaller than average size babies
with more incidence of toxemia, premature separation of placenta, retained placenta,
hemorrhaging after birth, and breech deliveries. (http://www.
yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/5/80.05.03.x.html#f)

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
fathers exposed to high levels of radiation in their occupations (Schrag and Dixon, 1985
cited by Santrock, 2002). 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 (Santrock, 2002). 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. (Markowits, 2000 by Santrock, 2002). Remember the action of the
U.S.A. for the children's toys with high lead content manufactured in China?

Prolonged exposure of pregnant mothers to sauna or hot tubs raises the mothers' body
temperature creating fever that endangers the fetus. The high temperature due to fever
may interfere with cell division and may cause birth defects or even fetal death if the
fever occurs repeatedly for prolonged periods of time (Santrock, 2002).

4) Other maternal factors such as Rubella (German Measles). syphilis, genital herpes,
AIDS, nutrition, high anxiety and stress, age, (too early or too late, beyond 30) 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 (Santrock, 2002).

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 brain-damaged. 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. Studies show that increased stress during pregnancy leads
to premature birth and reduced birth weight. Other studies have shown that increased stress
during pregnancy is related to ADHD even schizophrenia later in life.
(familyanatomy.com/2009/04/20/the-effects of-stress-during-pregnancy) Admittedly, more
research on the effects of emotional states and stress needs to be conducted for more
conclusive findings.

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. (Vore, David. Prenatal Nutrition and Postnatal Intellectual
Development, Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 1973, 19:253-260 cited in
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/5/80.05.03.x.html#f) Folic acid is necessary for
pregnant mothers. Folic acid can reduce the risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect of
the brain and spinal cord, called the 'neural tube’. A baby with spina bifida, the most common
neural tube defect is born with a spine that is not closed. The exposed nerves are damaged,
leaving the child with varying degrees of paralysis and sometimes mental retardation
(http://www.squidoo.com/folicacidpregnant)

As maternal age increases, the risks for numerical chromosomal abnormalities increase
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maternal_age_effect) The mortality rate of infants born to
adolescent mothers is double that of infants born to mothers in their twenties.

A baby with Down syndrome rarely is born to mother under age 30 but the risk increases
after the mother reaches 30. By age 40, the probability is slightly over 1 in 100, and by age 50 it
is almost I in 10. The risk is also higher before age 18. (Santrock, 2002)

5) Paternal factors. Fathers' exposure to lead, radiation, certain pesticides and

petrochemicals may cause abnormalities in sperm that lead to miscarriage or diseases
such as childhood cancer.

As in the case of older mothers, older fathers also may place their offspring at risk for
certain defects (Santrock, 2002)

Human Life Begins at Conception

That which is in the mother's womb is indeed a developing human being. An unborn
baby of eight (8) weeks is not essentially different from one of eighteen (18) weeks or twenty-
eight (28) weeks. From conception the zygote, the embryo and the fetus are undeniably human
life.

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 were added in the process of development is nutrition.

I remember the film on abortion that I once saw, "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
conglomeration of cells 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 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.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

Pretend you are "Junior." 4 months old in the womb. Your Mother is concentrating on
doing abortion. Write her a letter convincing her that you are a human being developing contrary
to what she and other pro-abortionists are thinking. Describe to her the development that has
already taken place in 4 months. Reflect what you learned on pre-natal development in this
Module. Give your letter this title "A Letter from Junior" (or you may want to write your name).
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