FOETAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE WOMB (

THE BEGINNING… Fertilisation = the joining of the sperm and the egg in the fallopian tube to form a unique human being. For the first 8 weeks it is known as an Embryo. After 8 weeks it is known as a Foetus. an Embryo This is a fertilized egg only 30 hours after conception.

4 WEEKS IN THE WOMB The Embryo is attached to the mother’s uterus.

7 WEEKS IN THE WOMB What changes do you notice?

7 WEEKS IN THE WOMB What other changes do you notice?

7 WEEKS IN THE WOMB What else do you notice?

How do you think the foetus receives its nutrition?

11 WEEKS IN THE WOMB What changes do you notice?

12 WEEKS IN THE WOMB What changes do you notice in the feet?

12 WEEKS IN THE WOMB What changes do you notice in the hand?

Why do you think the Amniotic Sac is very important? 16 week foetus

3-4 MONTHS IN THE WOMB What developments do you notice in the foot?

What other changes do you see at 4 months?

What changes do you see at 5 months?

9 MONTHS – FULL TERM

SUMMARY – FOETAL DEVELOPMENT

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE 40 WEEKS? Week 4: The placenta develops. Week 6: Umbilical cord develops. First heart beat begins. Buds for arms and legs form. Week 8: Elbows and feet begin to grow. Teeth develop under the gums.

WEEK 14 Head - face, eyes, retina, eyelids and eyebrows form. Ears & bones in the middle ear form. Nostrils form. Vocal cords develop. Intestines & pancreas develop. Arms, hands, fingernails, legs, toenails & muscles form. Brain forms. A scan of a baby in the womb at 14 weeks.

FROM 24 WEEKS Week 24: Eyes and ears develop and move to their proper position throughout the trimester. Week 26: Brain waves for sight and sound. Week 27: Eyes start opening and retinas start growing.

WEIGHT AND INCHES Look at these measurements with a ruler. 4 months: The baby’s length is 4.5 inches. 5 months: The baby’s length is 10 inches. 6 months: The baby’s length is 12 inches and weighs more than a 1 pound.

A NEW BORN BABY What was your birth weight?

BIRTH DEFECTS Has anyone heard about Birth Defects? Have you heard of these ? Down Syndrome Cerebral Palsy Cystic Fibrosis Cleft Palate etc. …these defects are Genetic. Some are non-genetic and can be avoided. Let’s look at a couple of examples.

SPINA BIFIDA What is Spina Bifida? Why is it important for a pregnant woman to take Folic Acid, especially in the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy?

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) From looking at the pictures - What is FAS & What do you think causes it?

THE EFFECT OF FOETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS) ON A BABY’S BRAIN What differences do you notice?

How do you think Smoking & Drugs affect the development of a baby in the womb?

THE END