Stages of Prenatal

Development
-

Zygote
Embryo
Fetus

Zygote
-

First 2 weeks of life

From fertilization to implantation

in uterine wall

Conception

Embryo
-

2nd to 8th week

Critical period

Differentiation of organs and

physiological systems

Greatest vulnerability to
teratogens

Majority of miscarriages

3 important structures involved:

Amniotic sac, placenta, and
umbilical cord

Fetus
-

8 weeks until birth

Rapid growth of existing

structures

Reproductive organs begin to

develop at 16 weeks

Respiratory & nervous system

developing

Age of viability = 28 weeks

Takes, on average, 3-9 months

Due date = 40 weeks (280 days) added

to 1st day of last menstrual cycle

16% of babies born on due date

Risks of Going Past Due Date

-

Placenta may become less successful at

meeting babys needs

Baby outstrips the placentas capacity

Placenta becomes old

Problems can emerge, such as decreased

Everything You Need

To Know About

Pregnancy
By Jen Hichar

fetal growth and reduction in fetus ability

to tolerate labor
-

Typically induce labor if it has been 1 week

past due date

From conception to birth, what all

future parents should know!

Giving Birth
How does labor begin?
-

Scientists are not sure

However, it is predicted that a

combination of hormones that
influence a variety of bodily functions
trigger the birth process

Hormones called prostaglandins have

been found to induce labor

Factors Affecting How Labor Proceeds

Pelvis

Stages of Labor
First Stage
-

Latent

Active

Transition

Bone structure that supports lower

body and through which babys head
must pass during labor

Mothers soft tissue will stretch

during labor and delivery

Pelvis opening, being bone, will not

Passenger

Second Stage: Expulsion

Size and position of fetal head

Third Stage: Placental Expulsion

Head coming first is ideal;

contractions encourage the fetus to
assume this position

Even if fetal head is large, not all is

lost; fetal head can change shape
during labor, called molding

Power
-

Strength of uterine contractions

matters

Some women do not have strong

enough contractions and need Pitocin

What is a Cesarean section?

- Baby is removed through a
surgical incision in abdomen
and uterus
- Just because a woman has a Csection does not necessarily
mean that her subsequent
deliveries have to be C-sections

Drug Use
Narcotics
- Effects still unproven and
controversial
- Cross placenta; in large doses,
produce depressed state in
newborns lasting for days
- Do not appear to have longterm effects
Epidural Anesthesia
- Shot that injects medications
into space within spine
- Does not enter babys blood
- Effects of anesthetic can be
continued for prolonged periods