PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

PRENATAL
DEVELOPMENT
Defined as “before birth” or the process
of growth and development within the
womb from fertilization until birth.
THREE STAGES OF PRENATAL
DEVELOPMENT
GERMINAL STAGE
The first stage in a baby’s development. This
stage lasts only about 2 weeks but includes the key
steps in establishing a pregnancy.

This stage begins at conception when a female

egg is fertilized by a male sperm (Abu-Suwa,
Lashley & Golden, n.d).
Zygote
It contains all of the genetic information (DNA)
needed to become a baby and spends the next few
days traveling down the fallopian tube and when the
zygote reaches the uterus, it attaches to the uterine
wall and becomes an embryo is called implantation.
EMBRYONIC STAGE
Occurs for the next 2 weeks to 2
months. During this period, the neutral
tube is formed which creates the basic
structures of the spinal cord, brain and
peripheral nervous system.
 In this stage cells form
for specialized purpose
including the development of
the spinal cord, heart begins to
beat and organs formed and
also begin to function
including the body parts (the
eyes, nose, ears, mouth, arms
and legs are formed).
 TERATOGENS IN THE EMBRYONIC STAGE

A teratogen is any agent that causes an

abnormality following fetal exposure during
pregnancy.
.
The 3Ds
DRUGS
DISEASE
DIET
 DRUGS DISEASE DIET
Alcohol and Nicotine German Measle Malnutrition
FETAL STAGE
This stage is marked by amazing
change and growth.
 From 2 months to birth.
 By 28 weeks, all vital systems
are operational and capable of
supporting independent life.
FETAL STAGE
The baby grows quickly and gains a lot of fat.
The baby’s bones are fully developed, but are
still soft.
Baby’s body begins storing iron, calcium and
phosphorus.
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