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Module 11

Module 11 focuses on pre-natal development, outlining the stages from conception to birth and emphasizing the importance of understanding the developmental process before birth. It highlights the three main stages: the germinal period, embryonic period, and fetal period, detailing the significant developments and the formation of life-support systems. Additionally, the module discusses hazards to pre-natal development, including teratogens, drugs, environmental factors, and maternal health issues.

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8 views3 pages

Module 11

Module 11 focuses on pre-natal development, outlining the stages from conception to birth and emphasizing the importance of understanding the developmental process before birth. It highlights the three main stages: the germinal period, embryonic period, and fetal period, detailing the significant developments and the formation of life-support systems. Additionally, the module discusses hazards to pre-natal development, including teratogens, drugs, environmental factors, and maternal health issues.

Uploaded by

shiellarosero4
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Module 11:

Pre-natal Development

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this Module,you should be able to:

* trace the course of the Pre-natal developmental process that you went through.

*explain the most common hazards to Pre-natal development

*become more appreciative of the gift of life manifested in an anti-abortion stand.

INTRODUCTION

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 before birth.To make the
description of human development complete,it may be good to understand the beginnings of the child
and adolescent. In unit 1, Module 1 you met Naschielle and Kenn.You were asked what they were
before they have become what and who they are at present.This is the concern of this Unit and Module
-pre-natal development

ABSTRACTION

Human life begins at conception

That which is in the mother's womb is indeed a developing human being. An unborn baby of eight (8)
weeks is not essentially different from one of eighteen (18) weeks or twenty-eight(28) weeks.From
conception the zygote,the embrayo and the fetus are undeniably human life.

All that we have and all that we are have been there at the moment of conception! The fact that you
have brown eyes and black, straight or curly hair and the fact that you will turn bald at age 50 have been
there already at the moment of conception.What were added in the process of development is
nutrition.

The development that takes place in 3 stages proves that the developing embrayo in a mother's womb is
truly a human being.

The Stages of Pre-natal Development


1.Germinal Period (First 2 weeks after conception)- This includes the a) creation of the zygote,b)
continued cell division and c) and the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall.

The following are the details of development during this period:

a) 24 to 30 hours after fertilization- the male (sperm) and female (egg) chromosome unite

b) 36 hours - the fertilized ovum, zygote,divides into two(2); 2 cells

c) 48 hours (2 days)- 2 cells become 4 cells

d) 72 hours (3 days)- 4 cells become a small compact ball of 16-32 cells

e) 96 hours (4 days)- hollow ball of 64-128 cells

f) 4-5 days- inner cell mass (blastocyst) still free in the uterus

g) 6-7 days- blastocyst attaches to the wall of uterus

h) 11-15 days- blastocyst invades into uterine wall and becomes implanted in it (implantation)

The blastocyst-the inner layer of cells that develops during the germinal period,develops later embrayo.

The trophoblast-the outer layer of cells that develops also during the germinal period,later provides
nutrition and support for the embrayo(Nelson, Textbook of Pediatrics,17th ed.,2004).

2. Embrayonic Period (2-8 weeks after conception)- In this stage,the name of the mass cells,
zygote,become embrayo.The following developments take place:

a) cell differentiation intensifies

b) life support systems for the embrayo develop and

c) organs appear

As the zygote gets attached to the wall of the uterus,two layers of cells are formed.

Endoderm-the inner layer of cells,develops into the digestive and respiratory systems.

The outer layer of cells is divided into two parts:

1.Ectoderm- is the outermost layer which becomes the nervous system,sensory


receptors(eyes,ears,nose) and skin parts(nails,hair).

2.Mesoderm-is the middle layer which becomes the circulatory, skeletal, muscular, excretory and
reproductive systems.This process of organ formation during first two months of pre-natal development
is called organogenesis.
As the three layers of the embrayo form,the support systems for the embrayo develop rapidly.These
life- support are the placenta,the umbilical cord and the aminon.

Placenta-is a life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped group of tissues in which small blood
vessels from the mother and the offspring intertwine but do not join.

Umbilical cord - contains two arteries and one vein that connects the baby to the placenta.

Aminon- is a bag or an envelope that contains a clear fluid in which the developing embrayo floats.All
these life-support systems develop from the fertilized egg and not from the mother's body.

3.Fetal Period (2 months to 7 months after conception)- Growth and development continue dramatically
during this period.The details of the developmental process are as follows(Santrock,2002):

Teratology and Hazards to Pre-natal Development

Teratology- is the field that investigates the causes of congenital (birth) defects.A teratogen is that
which causes birth defects.It comes from the Greek word "tera" which means "monster".

Below are cluster of hazards to pre-natal development

1.Prescription and nonprescription drugs -these include prescription as well as nonprescription


drugs.Antibiotic is an example of a prescription drug that can be harmful.Examples of harmful
nonprescription drugs are diet pills,aspirin,and coffee.

2.Psychoactive drugs-these include nicotine,caffeine and illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and
heroin.

3. Environmental hazards- these include radiation in jobsites and X-rays, environmental pollutants,toxic
wastes,and prolonged exposure to heat in saunas and bath tubs.

4.Other maternal factors such as Rubella (German Measles),syphilis,genital herpes,AIDS, nutrition,high


anxiety and stress,age,(too early or too late,beyond 30).

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