A Healthy Pregnancy

1. A Healthy Pregnancy Unit Two Prenatal Development

2. Objectives: • To name the three stages of Pregnancy • Describe the prenatal development during each of the three stages of Pregnancy

3. Prenatal Development • Prenatal development is the development of the baby during the period before birth. • Prenatal development is considered in three stages: • Period of the Zygote • Period of the Embryo • Period of the Fetus

4. Period of the Zygote

5. Conception • Conception occurs with the union of the Ovum (a female cell or egg) and the Sperm (male cell). • This union is called the Zygote or fertilized egg • This stage begins at conception and lasts until the zygote is implanted in the mother’s uterus. • The period of the Zygote lasts approximately two weeks (10-14 days) • The zygote grows to be about the size of a pinhead. Roots grow from the zygote into the wall of the uterus where they can receive nutrients from the mother’s blood.

6. Conception

7. Embryo • The 2nd stage of pregnancy is he period of the embryo • The embryo is the developing cluster of cells in the uterus & lasts from about 2 weeks to 8 weeks after conception • The embryo is attached to the mother by the umbilical cord (20 inches long) which reaches from the embryo’s stomach to the wall of the uterus. • The umbilical cord contains arteries which carry the embryo’s waste products away from the embryo to the mother’s blood system to be purified. It also brings oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood back to the embryo to keep it alive.

8. Period of the EmbryoFirst Month • By the end of the first month, the embryo is about 1/10 of an inch long. The heart, which is no larger than a poppy seed, has begun beating.

9. Period of the Embryo • The umbilical cord is connected to the placenta. • The placenta is an organ which serves as a medium for the exchange of nutrients and waste between the mother and the fetus. • Throughout this period, the embryo is inside the amniotic sac (a bag filled with watery substance called amniotic fluid). The fluid will protect the developing baby against bumps, bruises and temperature changes. • During this period all of the organs that will be present at birth are formed.

10. Embryo -Two Months • The embryo is about 1 inch long and has distinct, slightly webbed fingers. Veins are clearly visible. The heart has divided into right and left chambers.

11. Fetus • The third development period is called the period of the fetus. • This period extends from the end of the second month of pregnancy until birth. During this stage, the developing baby is referred to as a fetus. • The body parts, organs and systems which were formed during the embryo period will become much more developed and begin to function. • The fetus will begin will begin to resemble a human being and features will increase in clarity. • During the fetal period the baby may increase in length as much as twelve inches.

12. Three Month Fetus • By now the fetus is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long and is fully formed. He has begun swallowing and kicking. • All organs and muscles have formed and are beginning to function.

13. Quickening • The sensation of feeling life called quickening, tells the mother that she does have a live within her child • This happens sometimes between the fourth or fifth months • These fluttering movements are faint or infrequent a first but gradually become sronger and more frequent.

14. Fetus - Fourth Month • Your baby is covered with a layer of thick, downy hair called lanugo. • His heartbeat can be heard clearly. This is when you may feel your baby's first kick

15. Fetus- 4th Month

16. Fetus Five Months • A protective coating called vernix caseosa begins to form on baby's skin. • By the end of this month, your baby will be nearly 8 inches long and weigh almost a pound

17. Fetus Six Months • Eyebrows and eyelids are visible. • Your baby's lungs are filled with amniotic fluid, and he has started breathing motions. • If you talk or sing, he can hear you.

18. Six Month Fetus

19. Fetus Seven Months • By the end of the seventh month, your baby weighs about 3 1/2 pounds and is about 12 inches long. • His body is well-formed. • Fingernails cover his fingertips

20. Fetus Eight Months • Your baby is gaining about half a pound per week, and layers of fat are piling on. • He has probably turned head-down in preparation for birth. • He weighs between 4 and 6 pounds.

21. 8th Month Fetus

22. Fetus Nine Months • Your baby is a hefty 6 to 9 pounds and measures between 19 and 22 inches. • As he becomes more crowded, you may feel him move around less.

23. Lightening • Sometimes during the ninth month, the beby’s weight seems to shift down and the mother feels more comfortable in her upper abdomen. • This is called Lightening • This means the baby has dropped into he birth canal and birth is not far off

24. Weight Gain The recommended weight gain for the average woman during pregnancy is 25-30 pounds and is distributed as follows: