PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

The period of the zygote lasts about two weeks, from fertilization until the blastocyst becomes d
eeplyimplanted in the uterine lining. During this time, structures that will support prenatal growt
h begin to form,including the placenta and the umbilical cord.During the period of the embryo, fr
om weeks 2 to 8, the foundations for all body structures are laid down.The nervous system devel
ops fastest, as the neural tube forms. Other organs follow rapidly. By the end ofthis period, produ
ction of neurons occurs at an astounding pace, and the embryo responds to touch and canmove.T
he period of the fetus, lasting until the end of pregnancy, involves adramatic increase in body siz
e andcompletion of physical structures. At the end of the second trimester, most of the brains ne
urons are inplace.The fetus reaches the age of viability at the beginning of the final trimester, bet
ween 22 and 26 weeks. Thebrain continues to develop rapidly, and new sensory and behavioral c
apacities emerge. Gradually, the lungsmature, the fetus fills the uterus, and birth is near
(Berk, L. E., 2013).

Therefore, the physical, language, and cognitive development occurs since the time that the fetus
is in the mother's belly. Physically, the fetus starts developing as the mother takes care of herself,
eats healthy, exercise, and lives in a safe and non violent atmosphere at home. Language is
introduced to the fetus as they hear the noises around him/her, this is done when there is a
conversation, interaction, movement of objects, notices that are done close to the mother in
which the fetus is at. But the fetus could only hear, but doesnt develop any type of language.
The two cognitive development done within this stage are the growth of the brain and the grow
of the cerebral cortex, which is expanding rapidly in the last three months of the pregnancy. This
mean that the fetus moves more and is awaken more during that time, as well as getting ready to
be in position for labor.

Prenatal malnutrition can lead to low birth weight, damage to the brain and other organs, and su
ppression ofimmune system development. Maternal vitamin-
mineral supplementation, including folic acid, can prevent prenatal and birth complications
(Beck, L. E., 2013).

Therefore, a signal for an atypical development during the prenatal stage could be not having a
heart beat found, which could be that the baby died. Another could be a low heart beat which
could be an atypical signal of a defect in the fetus. This could slow the process of growth or
development of the fetus. Overall, this could only be determine by the doctor and the OBGYN
physician in charge of the pregnancy, by having an ultrasound perform.

Families could influence the the fetus learning by reading to books as they are listening in the
belly. Listening to music and eating healthy as well as taking the vitamins requested for the fetus
to learn, and grow healthy.

Image (www.pbs.org)
VIDEO
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/life-greatest-miracle.html

References

Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/life-greatest-miracle.html