Pre-natal development

Pre-natal development: it’s importance

Pre-Pregnancy and prenatal care can help prevent complications and inform women about important steps they can take to protect their infant and ensure a healthy pregnancy. With regular prenatal care women can: Reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. During each prenatal stage, environmental factors affect the development of the fetus. The developing fetus is completely dependent on the mother for life, and it is important that the mother receives prenatal care, which is medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus. 

Prenatal development refers to the process in which a baby develops from a single cell after conception into an embryo and later a fetus. The average length of time for prenatal development to complete is 38 weeks from the date of conception. During this time, a single-celled zygote develops in a series of stages into a full-term baby. The three primary stages of prenatal development are the germinal stage, the embryonic stage, and the fetal stage. 

a. Germinal Stage: 

The genetic material of the sperm and egg then combine to form a single cell called a zygote and the germinal stage of prenatal development commences. The zygote soon begins to divide rapidly in a process called cleavage, first into two identical cells called blastomeres, which further divide to four cells, then into eight, and so on. 

b. Embryonic Stage: 

This stage lasts from implantation until about 8 weeks from the time of conception (or the 10th week of pregnancy). This is the most important time of prenatal development because the embryo is developing the foundations for a healthy baby. A process (gastrulation) leads to the formation of three distinct layers called germ layers: the ectoderm (outer layer), the mesoderm (middle layer), and the endoderm (inner layer). For example, the ectoderm eventually forms skin, nails, hair, brain, nervous tissue and cells, nose, sinuses, mouth, anus, tooth enamel, and other tissues. The mesoderm develops into muscles, bones, heart tissue, lungs, reproductive organs, lymphatic tissue, and other tissues. 

c. Fetal Stage: 

The fetus becomes more active, and the mother can sometimes begin to feel fetal movements at this stage. Weeks 21–24: The fetus reaches approximately 28.5 cm. The fetus's bones are developed but not yet hardened. Weeks 33–36: The fetus reaches approximately 41–48 cm. In a healthy fetus, all organ systems are functioning.