Stages of Fetal Development
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
From the first moment the cells start to divide and create an embryo, fetal development and the stages of pregnancy progress in a longtime sequence. When the egg is fertilized, a zygote develops. In this first stage, which occurs in the first two weeks of the pregnancy, the cells multiply and develop. The subsequent segment of fetal development and the stages of pregnancy occurs when the zygote becomes an embryo. During week three, the embryo starts to develop the buds that may become the arms and legs of the fetus. The digestive system also has basic beginnings at this time.
By the 5th week of fetal development and the stages of pregnancy, the facial features have begun to form. The embryo has now begun to produce hormones and the presence of these hormones stop the ma’s menstrual cycle. When the embryo becomes about an inch
long, about the sixth week of the fetal development and the stages of pregnancy, the brain has started to develop its component parts; facial features, toes and fingers are conspicuous and a heartbeat can be detected in an ultrasound test. In the n ext many weeks, the organs continue to develop and the features become more distinguishable. The genitalia form, although they can not be distinguished at this time in an ultrasound. Bones are starting to form and the muscles can contract. By the end of the first trimester, the fetus is roughly 3 inches in length and weighs only about an ounce. During the second trimester of fetal development and the stages of pregnancy, the fetus continues to develop the characteristics that make it recognizable as a human baby. Development has progressed to the point that the fetus will begin to move slightly; it is in this time a ma will start to feel movement. As this period progresses, the fetus will develop waking and sleeping cycles the mother will soon be ready to detect and recognize. At about the 24th week, a routinely developed fetus is about twelve inches long and weighs about 2 pounds. It would be able to survive, with aid from current medical technology, if it were delivered. During the last weeks of fetal development and the stages of pregnancy, or the third trimester, the bones are developed, though they are still plastic. The fetus can breathe, exhale, and even cry. The eyelids open and the lungs continue to develop until the moment of birth. The fetus gains in size and moves less because there is less room to maneuver. Most of the movement occurs as the fetus shifts its position in preparation for birth. At the age of thirty weeks, the fetus would be small and considered premature, but it might be capable of living on its own if it were delivered. The fetus is regarded absolutely developed at the age of 38 weeks and would be completely capable of living on its own if delivered, although the normal delivery date is considered to be at the end of the 40th week.
If you find the information above educational and useful, read more about pregnancy and birth at pregnancy101.org and have a look at 8 week pregnant.
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