The Growing Fetus

Objectives  Calculate Nagle’s rule  Identify some normal embryonic and fetal structures.  Define purpose of amniotic fluid.  Differentiate the name and period of time of fetal development.  Identify and explain the screening and assessing of fetal wellbeing in detail.

Estimated Birth Date  Nagele’s Rule April 14 – 3months + 7 days= Jan 21

Assessment of Fetal Growth  Health history  Estimating fetal growth

Embryonic and Fetal Structures  Endocrine Function  Human Chorionic Gonadotropin  Estrogen  Progesterone

Embryonic and Fetal Structures  Umbilical Cord  From fetal membranes  Provides circulatory pathway  contains 1 vein and 2 arteries

 Amniotic Membranes  Chorionic membrane

Embryonic and fetal structures  Amniotic Fluid Never stagnant= cc by term continually being produced and absorbed by fetus Serves to protect fetus Shields against pressure Protects from changes in temp Protects umbilical cord

Three stages of fetal development  Ovum 0-14 days  Embryo 15 days to 8 weeks  Fetus 9 weeks till birth

Assessment of Fetal Growth Assessing fetal well-being  Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein  Triple screening  Chorionic villi sampling  Amniocentesis  Percutaneous umbilical blood

MSAFP

Chorionic Villi Sampling

Amniocentesis  Assessing fetal well-being  Amnioscopy  Fetoscopy  Biophysical profile

Percutaneous Umbilical Blood

Biophysical Profile

Placenta grading  Ultrasound is used to determine health of placenta