FETAL DEVELOPMENT

The process of baby development during the period before birth.

What is prenatal development?

Zygote, Embryo, Fetus.

Name the three stages of prenatal development.

Zygote stage.

Which stage lasts from conception to the end of week 2?

Embryo stage.

Which stage lasts from week 3 to week 8?

Fetal stage.

Which stage begins at week 9 and continues until birth?

A female egg cell.

What is an ovum?

Once a month.

How often is an ovum released?

From the ovary, through the fallopian tube, to the uterus.

Where does the ovum travel after release?

It disintegrates and is expelled during menstruation.

What happens to the ovum if not fertilized?

In the fallopian tube.

Where does fertilization usually occur?

The union of sperm and egg forming a zygote.

What is conception?

It travels to the uterus and implants into the uterine wall.

What happens to the zygote after fertilization?

Cell division and multiplication.

What process begins immediately in the zygote stage?

Circulatory system.

What organ system starts forming first?

About the size of a pinhead.

By the end of 2 weeks, what is the zygote’s size?

During Month 1.

When does the heart begin to beat?

Small bumps for arms and legs appear.

What marks the start of limb development?

About ¼ inch.

How long is the embryo at 5 weeks?

All major organ systems.

Which major organ systems develop in Month 2?

Tissue connecting the sac around the baby to the mother’s uterus.

What is the placenta?

Tube connecting baby to placenta for nutrient/oxygen delivery and waste removal.

What is the umbilical cord?

Amniotic fluid.

What surrounds the baby inside the uterus?

Face and limb shapes.

What features begin to form in Month 2?

About 1 inch.

How long is the fetus at Month 3?

Nostrils, mouth, lips, tooth buds, eyelids.

Which facial and oral features form in Month 3?

Almost complete.

Are fingers and toes complete at Month 3?

Fused shut.

What is the state of the eyelids in Month 3?

Present but not yet functional.

Are internal organs functional at Month 3?

By Month 3.

When can genital organs be recognized as male or female?

3 inches; \~5 oz.

What is the length and weight in Month 4?

Fine, downy hair covering the fetus.

What is lanugo?

Month 4.

When can fetal heartbeat be heard clearly?

The mother’s first sensation of fetal movement.

What is “quickening”?

Suck thumb, swallow, hiccup.

What actions can the fetus do in Month 4?

~6 inches; 4–5 oz.

Length and weight at Month 5?

Protective white coating on skin.

What is vernix?

Hair, eyelashes, eyebrows.

Which new hair features appear?

Very active.

How active is the fetus at Month 5?

Eyes can open and blink.

What eye functions develop in Month 5?

Born at 22 weeks, weighed 10 oz, shorter than a hand.

What is the smallest baby mentioned in the material?

8–10 inches; 4–5 oz.

Length and weight at Month 6?

Amniotic fluid.

What fills the lungs at Month 6?

Breathing motions

What motions begin in the lungs?

Hearing (responds to voices and sounds).

What new sense ability appears in month 6?

Fat deposits start forming under the skin.

What change occurs in body composition in month 6?

10–12 inches; 1–2 lbs.

Length and weight at Month 7?

Alternates between activity and rest.

Activity pattern in Month 7?

Vision, hearing, taste, touch.

Which senses are active in Month 7?

14–16 inches; 2–3 lbs.

Length and weight at Month 8?

Fat layers.

What increases significantly in Month 8?

Head-down

What is the usual fetal position in Month 8?

Jerking movements.

How does fetus respond to loud noises?

17–18 inches; 5–6 lbs.

Length and weight at Month 9?

Due to fat accumulation.

Why is the skin smooth in Month 9?

Limited space in the uterus.

Why does fetal movement slow in Month 9?

Baby drops into pelvis in preparation for birth.

What is “lightening”?

Receives antibodies from the mother’s blood

How does the baby get immunity before birth?

Deliver nutrients/oxygen and remove waste.

Main role of placenta?

Connects fetus to placenta.

Main role of umbilical cord?

Cushions, protects, and maintains temperature.

Role of amniotic fluid?

Circulatory system.

First major system to develop?

Psalm 139:13–14 – God’s creation in the womb.

Biblical reference related to prenatal development?

Somites

Develop into vertebrae

Yolk sac

First embryonic membrane to form provides early nutrients and form blood cells

Chorionic sac

Outermost fetal membrane for protection and nourishment

Disease fighting

What antibodies are taken from mother’s blood