1. Pregnancy, Growth, Development and Genetics
Prenatal Development
& Care

2. Fun facts:
Did you know some infants are delivered in the amniotic sac? It’s termed “Veiled Birth” or caulbearer
There are some very rare cases of multiple ovulation, i.e., the release of several eggs at the same time.
3 Triplets
4 Quadruplets
5 Quintuplets

3. Fertilization When a male sperm meets a female egg (oocyte)
Only one sperm cell can fertilize an egg.
Occurs after ovulation.
aka Conception result in:
Zygote
Before implantation
Blastocyst
After implantation
Embryo
Implantation to about 8 weeks in the womb
Fetus
After 8 Weeks in the womb

4. Fertilization: Multiple Births
Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic)
Two eggs released & fertilized by two sperm cells
Different genetic makeup
May or may not be the same gender
Identical Twins (Monozygotic)
Single egg fertilized by a single sperm cell
Divides forming two embryos
Shares a single placenta
Genetically identical, same gender, similar appearance

6. Early Embryonic Development

7. Embryonic Growth During this period: The offspring is termed Embryo
Until the end of the 8th wk, when the basic structural form of the human body is recognizable
During this period:
The amniotic sac forms- Thin filled membrane that surrounds and protects the embryo
-insulates the embryo from temperature changes
Umbilical Cord- Rope-like structure that connects the embryo and the mother’s placenta
Placenta- Thick blood-rich tissues that lines the wall of the uterus during pregnancy and nourishes the embryo
Begins to form in the 4th week of pregnancy
Does Not allow blood to mix between mother and child
Provides nutrients
Main internal organs develop
Major external body structures appear

9. Development of Internal Organs via Tissue Layers
Three tissue layers form:
1st layer-Ectodermal cells
Nervous system, sense organs, skin, hair, nails and mouth
2nd layer-Mesodermal cells
Bones, muscles & connective tissue
Blood vessels & blood
Internal reproductive organs & kidneys
3rd layer-Endodermal Cells
Linings of
Respiratory and digestive systems
Urinary bladder & urethra

10. Fetal Development
Fetal Stage begins at the end of the 8th wk and last until birth.
About nine full months, that is divided into three periods called trimesters.
First Trimester
0-14 weeks
Second Trimester
14-28 weeks
Third Trimester
29-40 weeks

11. Fetal Development First Trimester 0-2 weeks 3-8 weeks 9-14 weeks
Zygote floats freely for two days
Spinal cord grows faster than rest of the body
Brains, ears, and arms begin developing
Heart begins to beat
3-8 weeks
Embryo is about one inch long at eight weeks
Mouth, nostrils, eyelids, hands, fingers, feet, and toes begin to form
Nervous system can respond to stimuli
* stimulus-something that causes a response
Cardiovascular system is fully functional
9-14 weeks
Fetus develops human profile
Sex organs, eyelids, fingernails and toenails develop
By 12 weeks the fetus makes crying motions and may suck it’s thumb

12. Fetal Development Second Trimester 15-20 weeks 21-28 weeks
Can blink it’s eyes
Body grows
Growth of head slows
Limbs reach full proportion
Eyebrows and eyelashes develop
Fetus becomes more active (gasping kicking, etc)
21-28 weeks
Fetus can hear conversations
Cycle of waking and sleeping
Gains weight
Fetus is a foot long, weighs a little more then one pound
Can be born at 24 weeks, but will need special care if this occurs

13. Fetal Development Third Trimester (final) 29-40 weeks
Fetus can use all five senses
Passes water from the bladder
From ingesting amniotic fluid through the mouth
Some fetuses begin to dream
Baby weighs 6-9 pounds
Ready to be born

15. Labor and Delivery Labor Signs of Labor
Series of continuous, progressive contractions of the uterus which help the cervix to open (dilate) and to thin (efface), allowing the fetus to move through the birth canal.
Usually starts two weeks before/after due date
Signs of Labor
Bloody show
Contractions
Rupture of amniotic sac (water break)

17. Stages of Birth Pregnancy ends w/ the birth process, labor. Stage 1-
Initial phase-fetus position before birth
Active phase- dilation of the cervix (10cm)
Stage 2- Expulsion of the fetus
Stage 3- expulsion of the placenta (afterbirth)

18. Stages Explained
The first phase of the first stage of labor is called the latent phase
when contractions are becoming more frequent (usually 5 to 20 minutes apart) and somewhat stronger. However, discomfort is minimal. The cervix dilates (opens approximately three or four centimeters) and effaces (thins out). Some women may not recognize that they are labor if their contractions are mild and irregular. The latent phase is usually the longest and least intense phase of labor. The mother-to-be is usually admitted to the hospital during this phase. Pelvic exams are performed to determine the dilatation of the cervix.
The second phase of the first stage (active phase) is
signaled by the dilatation of the cervix from 4 to 7 centimeters. Contractions become longer, more severe, and more frequent (usually 3 to 4 minutes apart).
The third phase is called transition and is the last phase.
the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters. Contractions are usually very strong, lasting 60 to 90 seconds and occurring every few minutes. Most women feel the urge to push during this phase.
In most cases, the active and transition phases are shorter than the latent phase.

19. Delivery Labor Complications Fetal Meconium Abnormal Fetal heart rate
Meconium in the amniotic fluid
Abnormal Fetal heart rate
Normal range is beats per minute
might increase if the fetus is in distress
Abnormal position of the fetus during birth
A physician may try to deliver, attempt to turn before delivery or perform a C-section

20. Labor and Delivery
In some cases, the vaginal opening does not stretch enough to accommodate the fetus. If there is a risk of tearing, the physician may perform an episiotomy –
an incision through the vaginal wall and the perineum (the area between the thighs, extending from the anus to the vaginal opening) to help deliver the fetus.
Cesarean Section (C-Section):
Surgical incision is made through the abdominal wall and uterus.
There are several conditions which may make having a baby by cesarean section more likely.
previous cesarean section,
fetal distress,
abnormal delivery presentation,
a labor that fails to progress or does not progress normally,
placental complications,
twins or other multiples