FETAL DEVELOPMENT (FETAL STRUCTURES & FETAL MILESTONES)

FERTILIZATION

Fertilization is the process wherein the

ovum and the spermatozoa unite at the
ampullary portion of the fallopian tube,
the usual site of fertilization.
A mature ovum can only be fertilized
within 24 to 48 hours after being released.

Mitotic cell division or cleaving starts after

24 hours. The rate of cleaving is an
average of one every 22 hours.
As the zygote reaches the uterus, it
already has 16 to 50 cell divisions, and it
is now called a morula because of its
bumpy appearance.

The morula floats freely along the body of

the uterus within 3 to 4 days, and it
becomes a blastocyst.

The
blastocyst
attaches
into
the
endometrium, and this process is called
implantation, which occurs 8 to 10 days
after fertilization.

Apposition, or the brushing of the

blastocyst against the endometrium, is the
first part of implantation.

The functional life of the spermatozoa is

only 48 to 72 hours.

The best time that fertilization would

occur is 72 hours after sexual intercourse.

The fertilized ovum is propelled along the

tube through the help of the peristaltic
movements of the fallopian tube and the
tubes cilia.

The average time that the sperm can

reach the cervix is within 90 seconds, and
it can reach the outer fallopian tube within
5 minutes.

Adhesion occurs afterwards as the

blastocyst attaches to the surface of the
endometrium, then invasion, as it settles
into the folds of the endometrium.

If the ovum has already been penetrated

by a spermatozoon, it changes its
composition
so
that
it
becomes
impermeable to other spermatozoa.

On the day of implantation, the woman

may experience a small amount of vaginal
spotting as the capillaries by the
implanting blastocyst.

After
penetration,
the
chromosomal
materials of both the ovum and the
spermatozoon combine to form a zygote.

As implantation occurs, the zygote now

becomes an embryo.

Three factors determine the certainty of

fertilization:
- the maturation of both the sperm and
the ovum;
- the ability of the sperm to reach the
ovum; and
- the ability of the sperm to penetrate
the cell membrane and achieve
fertilization.

IMPLANTATION

The migration of the zygote towards the

uterus reaches 3 to 4 days, and it is
propelled by the muscular contractions in
the fallopian tube.

FETAL STRUCTURES

DECIDUAS

FETAL DEVELOPMENT (FETAL STRUCTURES & FETAL MILESTONES)

The uterine endometrium continues to

thicken because of the corpus luteum that
is influenced by hCG, and instead of
sloughing off in a usual menstrual cycle, it
becomes the deciduas.

The deciduas are divided into three parts:

basalis, capsularis, and vera.

The decidua basalis is the innermost

portion of the layer which rests directly
under the embryo.
The decidua capsularis encapsulates the
trophoblasts surface.

The decidua vera becomes the remaining

portion of the uterine lining,and sheds as
the lochias.

Eventually, the deciduas vera and

capsularis fuse because of the enlarging
embryo.

On the 11th or 12th day, the chorionic villi

start to form from the miniature villi that
protrude from a single layer of cells to
start the formation of placenta.
The chorionic villi have a central core and
fetal capillaries, and a double layer of
trophoblast cells.

The syncytial layer or the outer portion of

the two layers produces placental
hormones such as hPL, hCG, estrogen, and
progesterone.

The Langhans layer is the middle layer

and it protects the embryo and fetus from
infectious diseases. This layer appears to
function as early as 12 days gestation.

The layer disappears on the 20th to 24th

week of gestation, however, leaving the
fetus more susceptible to infections.

PLACENTA
CHORIONIC VILLI

FETAL DEVELOPMENT (FETAL STRUCTURES & FETAL MILESTONES)

pregnancy. It also reduces the contractility

of the uterus to prevent preterm labor.

Human placental lactogen promotes

lactogenic properties and mammary
growth in preparation for the lactation of
the mother.

AMNIOTIC MEMBRANES

The placenta, which is a Latin term for

pancake for its appearance came from
the trophoblast tissues and has a lot of
functions that benefit the fetus.

Nutrients such as glucose, amino acids,

vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and water
as well as oxygen are transported through
the placenta from the maternal blood
supply to the fetus.

Placental osmosis also plays an essential

part in maintaining the health of the fetus.
It is impermeable to a few harmful
substances, thereby it does not allow the
crossing of these substances towards the
fetal blood circulation.

The syncytial layer produces various

hormones that benefit both the mother
and the fetus.

The human chorionic gonadotropin is the

first placental hormone to be produced,
and it ensures that the corpus luteum
would continue to produce estrogen and
progesterone to support the pregnancy.

Estrogen is also one of the hormones

produced by the syncytial cells and it aids
in
the
uterine
growth
and
the
development of the mammary glands in
preparation for lactation.
Progesterone
is
responsible
for
maintaining the lining of the uterus during

The smooth portion of the chorionic villi

eventually
becomes
the
chorionic
membrane which forms the sac that
contains the amniotic fluid.

The amniotic membrane forms under the

chorion, giving an appearance that seem
like they are only one membrane.

The
amniotic
membrane
is
also
responsible for producing the amniotic
fluid and the phospholipids that triggers
the formation of prostaglandins, the
hormone
that
initiates
uterine
contractions.

AMNIOTIC FLUID

The normal amount of amniotic fluid is

800 to 1000 mL.
The role of the amniotic fluid in the safety
of the fetus is it protects the fetus from
trauma or pressure to the mothers
abdomen.
It
also
regulates
the
temperature for the fetus and aids in

FETAL DEVELOPMENT (FETAL STRUCTURES & FETAL MILESTONES)

muscular development allowing the fetus

to move freely

The amniotic fluid also protects the

umbilical cord from trauma and pressure,
thereby protecting the fetal oxygen supply.

UMBILICAL CORD

FETAL MILESTONES

4TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Spinal cord is formed and fused at the

midpoint.

Head folds forward and is prominent.

The back is bent, which makes the

head almost touch the tail.
A prominent bulge appears which
would later form as the heart.

The amnion and chorion compose the

umbilical cord which connects the embryo
to the chorionic villi of the placenta.
The main function of the umbilical cord is
the transport of oxygen and nutrients from
the placenta to the fetus and the return of
waste products from the fetus to the
placenta.
The cord is made up of a gelatinous
mucopolysaccharide called Whartons jelly
that protects the vein and arteries from
trauma.
The umbilical cord contains only one vein,
which carries blood from the placenta to
the fetus, and two arteries, which carries
blood from the fetus to the placenta.

Lateral wings, the body, folds forward

and fuse at midline.

Arms and legs are budlike structures.

Eyes, ears, and

recognizable.

nose

are

barely

8TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Organogenesis
complete.

is

achieved

and

The heart already developed a septum

and valves and is beating rhythmically.

Arms and legs have developed.

Facial features are noticeable.

The genital starts to form but is not yet

recognizable.

Fetal intestine is rapidly growing.

Results of an ultrasound would show a

gestational
sac
which
confirms
pregnancy.

FETAL DEVELOPMENT (FETAL STRUCTURES & FETAL MILESTONES)

12TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

The toes and fingers already have nail

beds.

Faint fetal movements are starting.

Early reflexes are present.

Tooth buds are forming.

Formation of bone ossification centers

initiate.

The genital is already recognizable

through its appearance.

Urine secretion begins but is not yet

evident.

Heartbeat
Doppler.

be

detected

by

16TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

An ordinary stethoscope could detect

the fetus heartbeat.

Lanugo has started to form.

The pancreas and liver are forming.

Urine is present in the amniotic fluid.

Fetus starts to swallow the amniotic

fluid.

Brown fat starts to form behind the

kidneys, sternum, and posterior neck.

Vernix caseosa also starts to form and

covers the skin.

Passive antibody transfer begins.

The sleep and activity patterns of the

fetus are evident.

24TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Lung surfactant begins to develop.

Meconium is present at the rectum.

Eyebrows
and
distinguishable.

Eyelids can now open.

Pupils react to light.

The fetus has reached the age of

viability, wherein they could survive
externally if cared for in a modern
intensive facility.

Responds to sudden sounds.

eyelashes

are

28TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Surfactant is demonstrated
amniotic fluid.

Alveoli are starting to mature.

20TH WEEK OF GESTATION

Testes descend into the scrotal sac.

Mother could sense spontaneous fetal

movements.

Retinal blood vessels start to form but

are highly susceptible to damage.

There is hair formation on the head

until the eyebrows.

The
upper
meconium.

could

Ultrasound could determine the sex of

the fetus.

intestine

contains

in

the

32ND WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Subcutaneous fat is deposited.

Fetus responds to sounds outside the

mothers body through movements.

FETAL DEVELOPMENT (FETAL STRUCTURES & FETAL MILESTONES)

Active Moro reflex is present.

Iron stores are starting to develop.

Fingernails are starting to grow.

36TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Depositions of iron, carbohydrate,

calcium, and glycogen stores are in the
body.
Additional
deposited.

subcutaneous

fats

are

One or two creases are present at the

sole of the foot.

Lanugo starts to diminish.

Some babies turn and assume a vertex

presentation.

40TH WEEK OF GESTATION

-

Fetus now kicks very actively and hard

enough to cause discomfort.

The
fetal
hemoglobin
is
converted to adult hemoglobin.

Vernix caseosa is fully formed.

Fingernails extend to the fingertips.

The soles of the feet have creases that

cover at least two-thirds of the surface.

being