Fetal Development

From conception to birth

a person's a person, no matter how small ~Dr. Seuss

Reproductive Organs

THE CREATION OF LIFE

At the moment of becoming pregnant the mans sperm fertilizes the womans egg. This act is called conception. The sperm and egg join in the Fallopian Tube to form a zygote, which develops into an embryo and later a fetus. Only if the fertilization of the egg is followed by an implantation, pregnancy will take place.

Conception

Sperm reach ovum and cluster around it Only one sperm is allowed to penetrate egg

Conception
A secondary oocyte can be fertilized for about 24 hours after ovulation Sperm remain viable for up to 48 hours within the female reproductive tract This gives a three day window for intercourse to result in fertilization: two days before to one day after ovulation.

Conception
When the sperm penetrates the egg, the egg immediately releases a chemical creating a hard shell around it to keep all other sperm out

Fertilization
Fertilization begins when a sperm penetrates an oocyte (an egg) and it ends with the creation of the zygote. The fertilization process takes about 24 hours. Fertilization usually takes place in the outer one-third of the uterine tube, but can take place in the abdominal cavity Within 11 hours following fertilization, the oocyte has extruded a polar body with its excess chromosomes. The fusion of the oocyte and sperm nuclei marks the creation of the zygote and the end of fertilization.

Fertilization
Sperm swim up the female reproductive tract, aided by muscular contractions of the uterus stimulated by prostaglandins in the semen. The oocyte may also secrete a chemical that attracts sperm Sperm undergoes a functional change in the female tract called capacitation During this process the membrane around the acrosome becomes fragile, and its enzymes are released. It requires the combined action of many sperm to allow one sperm to penetrate the oocyte.

Fertilization

Day 4 to Day 5
Zygote undergoes rapid mitotic cell division, but these do not increase the size of the zygote called cleavage divisions Cleavage produces a solid sphere of cells, still surrounded by zona pellucida now called a morula. At 4.5 to 5 days, cells have developed into a hollow ball of cells blastocyst. It is at this stage that it enters the uterus.

Cell Division

Zygote begins to develop

2 cell zygote

4 cell zygote

Zygote Stages

8 cell zygote

16 cell morula

Zygote Stages

When zygote divides to 32 cells it becomes a Blastocyst

Formation of Blastocyst

Blastocyst
Blastocyst has an outer layer of cells called the trophoblast, an inner cell mass, and a fluid filled cavity called the blastocele. The trophoblast and part of the inner cell mass will form the membranes of the fetal portion of the placenta, the rest of the inner mass forms the embryo.

Blastocyst Organization

1. Embryoblast 2. Zona pellucida

4

3. Trophoblast 4. Blastocyst cavity

Cleavage Division

Implantation of the Blastocyst

Implatation
The Blastocyst embeds into the uterine lining, and begins to develop the placenta

After implantation
After implantation, cells of blastocyst start to differentiate into three germ layers Ectoderm- skin and nervous system pituitary gland

Mesoderm- connective tissue and muscle endocrine, cardiovascular, skeletal systems

Endoderm- digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive systems

Primary germ layers

Ectopic Preganancy

Implantation can also occur in uterine tube, cervix, or the abdominal cavity. Implantation anywhere outside the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. It is possible for fetus to grow in the abdominal cavity, but growth inside the uterine tube causes the tube to rupture, resulting in severe bleeding.

Ectopic (extrauterine) pregnancy

Diagram showing locations of Ectopic (extrauterine) pregnancy

8 -12 days after

Fertilization
the blastocyst begins to secrete human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG. hCG keeps the corpus luteum active until the placenta can produce estrogens and progesterone. The presence of hCG is the basis for pregnancy tests.

Gestation Period
Divided into three trimesters. During first trimester individual starts out as a zygote, then morula, blastocyst, and after implantation, is called an embryo. Embryonic phase of development lasts from fertilization until the 8th week of gestation, when it becomes a fetus. By day 35 the heart is beating, and eye and limb buds are present.

1 Trimester Gestation
4 weeks to 7 weeks

The Somites
Somites - zipper-like motion of the neural tube closing together, three pairs of small bumps form on either side of the closure. They will form the skeleton and the major muscles of the body. Thirty-eight pairs of somites will line the neural tube within 2 weeks

1 Trimester Gestation
7 weeks to 9 weeks

st 1

Trimester Gestation

Heart, digestive system, backbone and spinal cord begin to form

Placenta (sometimes called "afterbirth") begins developing

The single fertilized egg is now 10,000 times larger than size at conception Eyes, nose, lips, tongue, ears and teeth are forming Penis begins to appear in boys Embryo is moving, although the mother can not yet feel movement Heart is functioning

1 Trimester Gestation
10 weeks to 12 weeks

st 1

Trimester Gestation
Nails start to develop and earlobes are formed

Fetus develops recognizable form

Arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes are fully formed

Eyes are almost fully developed

By this stage, a fetus has developed most of his/her organs and tissues

Fetal heart rate can be heard at 10 weeks with a special Doppler instrument

Length/Size of Embroyo
During the 1st Trimester

The Placenta
The placenta is the lining of the uterus that the umbilical cord will attach to. While nutrients and oxygen move across the placental wall, the embryos blood and the mothers blood never mix

Function of Placenta
The chorion develops into the fetal part of the placenta. The chorionic villi connect the fetal circulation to the placenta Composed of both fetal and maternal tissues 1. 2. 3. 4. Function of Placenta Transfer gases Transport nutrients Excretion of wastes Hormone production temporary endocrine organ estrogen and progesterone Formation of a barrier incomplete, nonselective alcohol, steroids, narcotics, anesthetics, some antibiotics and some organisms can cross.

5.

Chorion Endometrium

2 Trimester Gestation
At the end of 4 months: 4 Fetus is 6 1/2 to 7 inches long Weight is about 6 to 7 ounces Fetus is developing reflexes such as sucking and swallowing. Fetus may begin sucking his/her thumb Tooth buds are developing

months (16 weeks)

nd 2

Trimester Gestation
Sex is identifiable

Sweat glands are forming on palms and soles Fingers and toes are well defined

Skin is bright pink, transparent and covered with soft, downy hair

Although recognizably human in appearance, the baby would not be able to survive outside the mother's body

2 Trimester Gestation
Weight is about 1 pound

5 months (20 weeks)

Hair begins to grow on his/her head Soft woolly hair called lanugo will cover its body (and some may remain until a week after birth when it is shed) Mother begins to feel fetal movement Internal organs are maturing Eyebrows, eyelids and eyelashes appear

2 Trimester Gestation
Eyelids begin to part 6 months (24 weeks) and eyes open occasionally for short periods of time Skin is covered with protective coating called vernix Fetus is able to hiccup

nd 2

Trimester Gestation

The first movement of the fetus felt by the mother, usually occurring during the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy By month seven the fetus is quite active During the last month the fetus becomes less active (usually due to space considerations.)

rd 3

Taste buds have developed 7 Fat layers are forming Organs are maturing Skin is still wrinkled and red If born at this time, he/she will be considered a premature baby and require special care

Trimester Gestation
months (28 weeks)

rd 3

Overall growth is rapid this month

Trimester Gestation
8 months (32 weeks)

Tremendous brain growth occurs at this time Most body organs are now developed with the exception of the lungs Movements or "kicks" are strong enough to be visible from the outside Kidneys are mature, Skin is less wrinkled Fingernails now extend beyond fingertips

rd 3
The lungs are mature

Trimester Gestation
9 months (38 weeks)

Baby is now fully developed and can survive outside the mother's body Skin is pink and smooth
He/she settles down lower in the abdomen in preparation for birth and may seem less active

Birth Process

Birth Process
At the end of pregnancy both the mother and the uterus become irritable The uterus undergoes Braxton-Hicks contractions: intermittent, painless contractions which can come 10 to 20 minutes apart. Become more frequent as gestation progresses, and can be mistaken for onset of labor Cervix begins to thin and dilate

Birth Process

Birth Process Stage 1

Birth Process Mechanism

Birth Process Stage 2

Period from maximal cervical dilation until the birth of the baby Lasts minutes to an hour Contractions become more intense and frequent.

Birth Process Stage 2

Birth Process Stage 3

The expulsion of the placenta Usually occurs within 15 minutes after the birth of the baby, but can range from 5 to 60 minutes.

Birth Process Stage 3

Newly Born Child

Normal Delivery

The End