I.

Title of the Module: MODULE 9: Pre-natal Period

II. Learning Outcome:

• Trace the course of the pre-natal development process that you went through.
• Explain the most common hazards to pre-natal development.
 and become more appreciative of the gift of life manifested in an anti-abortion stand.

III. Learning Content:

All the developmental theories which we lengthily discussed dwelt on the developmental
process after birth. None of them was concerned with what development went on birth. To make
the description of human development complete, it may be good to understand the beginnings of
the child and the adolescent.

 Prenatal Development refers to the process of growth and development that occurs in the
womb from fertilization to birth. It includes various stages such as implantation, embryonic
period, and fetal period. The duration of prenatal development is approximately about 38-
40 weeks. During this time, the embryo develops into a fetus and undergoes significant
changes in organ formation and growth.
 The three stages of prenatal development are germinal, embryonic, and fetal.
 Human life begins at conception. Everything that we own and who we are was there at
conception. The womb is thought to be the safest place for human development. The three
stages of development demonstrate that the developing embryo in a mother's womb is truly
a human being.

 Another crucial stage in the growth process is thought to be the perinatal phase. Significant
changes occur throughout fetal development, which helps pave the way for later
psychological growth. The brain changes at the perinatal stage, but during the early years of
childhood, it will undergo additional changes (Cherry 2023)
Stages of Pre-natal Development

1. Germinal Period (first two weeks after conception)

 - refers to the time from fertilization through the development of the early embryo until
implantation is completed in the uterus. During this stage, the zygote is created, cell division
is continued, and the zygote attaches itself to the uterine wall. To create two identical nuclei
and prepare for cell division, a cell must first replicate its chromosomes and then segregate
them through the process known as mitosis. Normally, the cell's contents are equally
divided into two daughter cells with identical genomes after mitosis.

 Fertilization is the process of the sperm and egg combining to form a zygote
 Mitosis is the process of rapid division of cells to increase the number of cells in the
developing embryo following the fertilization.
 Implantation is the process when the sperm fertilize the egg and is when the embryo
attaches to the uterine wall.

The following are the details of development during this period:

 The chromosomes of the male sperm and the female egg joined 24–30 hours after
fertilization.
 After 36 hours, the fertilized ovum split into two cells by the zygote. The cells divide into 4 in
2 days, then into a small, compact ball of 16–32 cells in 3 days, hollow ball of 64- 128 cells in
4 days and in 4-5 days, the inner cell mass, or blastocyst, is still free in the uterus. After 6–7
days, the blastocyst attaches to the uterine wall and becomes implanted in it.

- In this stage, a cell differentiation starts when the inner and outer layers of the organism
form. The inner layer of the cell, called the blastocyst, develops during the germinal period,
and later becomes an embryo. The outer layer, called the trophoblast, develops during the
germinal period, and later supplies the embryo with nourishment and support (Nelson,
Textbook of Pediatric, 17th ed., 2004).
 - Blastocyst (Greek, blastos= sprout + cystos = cavity) is a distinctive stage of embryo
development, characterized by a hollow cellular mass that forms in early development.
- Trophoblasts (from Greek to feed: threphein) are cells forming the outer layer of a
blastocyst, which provides nutrients to the embryo, and develops into a large part of the
placenta
- The inner cell mass (ICM) or embryoblast is a structure in the early development of an
embryo. It is the mass of cells inside the blastocyst that will eventually give rise to the
definitive structures of the fetus.

2. Embryonic Period (2-8 weeks after conception)

- refers to the period after implantation, during which all the major organs and structures
are formed. At this stage, the mass cell known as the zygote transforms into the embryo. The
following development take place:

 Cell Differentiation Intensifies

o Cell differentiation is the process where cells become specialized and take on
specific functions in the body.
 The life-support system from the embryo develops
 Organs Emerge
- As the zygote get attached itself to the uterine wall, two layers of cells are formed. The
embryo’s endoderm (inner layer) develops into the respiratory and digestive system and the
outer layer which is divided into two, Ectoderm and mesoderm . The outermost layer, called
the ectoderm, gives rise to the nervous system, eyes, nose, ears, and skin components like
hair and nails, while the middle layer, called the mesoderm, gives rise to the circulatory,
skeletal, muscular, excretory, and reproductive systems.

This phase of prenatal development, which lasts for the first two months, is known as
organogenesis. It is the stage in which organs of the embryo are developed.
3. Fetal Period (2 months to 7 months after conception)
- begins around the ninth week and lasts until birth. This is when the embryo officially
turns into a fetus. The fetus gets its assigned sex around nine weeks of pregnancy. The
fetus’s major organs and body systems continue to grow and mature. Things like
fingernails, eyelashes and hair also grow. The fetus can move its limbs. Most of the
growth and development — in both weight and length — happens in the fetal stage.

 Three months after fertilization: a three-inch-long, one-ounce fetus. The fetus has
awakened, is moving its head, closing its mouth, and moving its limbs and legs. It is
now possible to identify the genital as male or female.
 4 months after conception: the woman feels movement in her arms and legs for the
first time; the fetus is about 6 inches long and weighs between 4 and 7 ounces. The
body experiences a growth spurt in the lower body.
 5 months after conception: the fetus is about 12 inches long, weighs almost a
pound, and has developed finger and toenail structure. It is also more active.
 6 months after conception: the fetus is about 14 inches and weighs one and a half
pounds; the eyes and eyelids are fully developed; the head is covered in a fine layer;
there is a gripping reflex; and there is erratic movement.
 The fetus is around 16 inches long and weighs 3 pounds at 7 months after
conception. By 8 and 9 months after conception, the fetus has grown significantly
longer and gained 4 pounds in weight.
 Teratology and Hazards to Prenatal Development
 is the area of study that looks at congenital defect causes. Birth defects are caused
by a teratogen.
 A teratogen is any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter
cognitive and behavioral outcomes. (The word comes from the Greek word tera,
meaning “monster.”) So many teratogens exist that practically every fetus is exposed
to at least some teratogens. For this reason, it is difficult to determine which
teratogen causes which problem. In addition, it may take a long time for the effects
of a teratogen to show up. Only about half of all potential effects appear at birth.

Below are clusters of Hazards to Pre-natal Development :

 Drugs, both prescription and over the counter: an antibiotic is an example of a prescribed
medication that can be hazardous. Aspirin, caffeine, and diet pills are examples of
dangerous over-the-counter medications.
 Psychoactive substances: these comprise illicit substances including heroin, cocaine, and
marijuana as well as nicotine and caffeine.
 Environmental dangers include radiation from jobsites and x-rays, toxins in the
environment, toxic wastes, and extended use of hot tubs and saunas.
 Age, high levels of stress and anxiety, diet, genital herpes, syphilis, rubella, and aids are
other relevant factors.
 Paternal factors such as father’s exposure to chemicals like pesticides, lead, radiation
causing effects on sperm cells. Old age is also a factor.

Assessment task
Interview your mother:

1.What were her unforgettable experience/s during her 9 months pregnancy of YOU?
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2. Were YOU delivered normally or cesarian and what were some hazards your mother went
through when YOU were in her womb for 9 months?
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