Human Development

What is gestation?

Gestation is the carrying

of an embryo or fetus
inside female viviparous
animals, including
mammals, as well as
some non-mammalian
species.

Gestation: The act of

BEING PREGNANT
 Between 24-72 hours after sexual
intercourse…. Fertilization can
occur.
🞂 Step 1: Fertilization
🞂 Egg+ Sperm = zygote
🞂 Step 2: Implantation
🞂 Zygotes travels to and implants itself
onto the uterus and is now called a
blastocyst.
 The Path of Human Development
Zygote Blastocyst Embryo Fetus Infant
 The First Trimester (3 months)
Week 1 Week 3 Week 4-5 Week 8 Week 10-12
Blastocyst Becomes Embryo Placenta forms to Becomes fetus 2 in. long
implants into pass nutrients from
uterus Heart begins to mom to embryo Heart begins to Begins moving
form and Nervous beat and other (not felt by
system forms Umbilical cord organs begin to mother)
develops and develop The amniotic
attaches to placenta sac is a fluid
to pass oxygen to Hearing filled sac for
embryo. Also used develops protection
for embryo to
release waste into
mother’s blood
stream

(blood is NOT
shared!)
 The Second Trimester (4-6 months)
Week 13-16 Week 17-24
Taste buds develop Sex is evident at week 20

Sucks Thumb Can dream

And fetal kicks (can be felt by Lanugo, a fine hair that protects the
mother) baby, develops
The Third Trimester (7-9 months)
Week 26-28 weeks Week 36
Fetus’ head moves towards Lungs develop
vagina to prepare for birth
Opens and closes eyes
Important Structures
A = Placenta is the
structure through
which the mother
nourishes the
embryo

B = Umbilical cord
contains arteries and
veins that carry
blood between the C = Amniotic sac is a membrane that
embryo and the surrounds the embryo
placenta
D = Amniotic fluid cushions the
embryo protecting it from injury
and keeps it moist