OUR LITTLE PEANUT

An adventure through the fetal stages of development

Overview

The developing stages of children in the womb are a very critical time in which the mother has to intake a certain and strict diet during her pregnancy. By understanding each stage of development, the mother and father will have a better understanding of when certain organs and features appear in and on the baby.

Fertilization

If a Y sperm fertilizes the egg, the sex of the baby will be a boy, if a X then it will be a girl. At the moment of fertilization, the babys genetic makeup is complete. The fertilized egg, a blastocyte, has already started to divide cells and remains in the fallopian tube for about 3 days an then makes its way to implant in the uterus lining.

Fertilization

Gregor Medel Genotype Phenotype Parental testing

Month 1:Creation

Germinal Stage ( 2 weeks) Embryonic (2-8 weeks) Amniotic Sac Placenta The heart beat is at around 65 times a minute. This is the most critical period of pregnancy By the end of the first month, the baby is as big as a grain of rice!

What Should Mommy eat?

Myplate.gov 2400 calories per day 8 oz. grains 3 cups vegetables 2 cups fruit 3 cups dairy 6.5 oz. protein

Month 2: Fetal Stage

After the 8th week until birth, the baby is called a fetus instead of an embryo. Features begin to grow The digestive tract and sensory organs begin to develop. Bone starts to replace cartilage. At about 6 weeks, the babys heart beat can usually be heard and the baby is about 1 inch long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zasjMiQjvr0

Month 3

Babys arms, hands, fingers, feet, and toes are fully formed. Baby can open and close its fists and mouth. Fingernails are beginning to develop and the external ears are formed. Teeth are forming under the gums. Reproductive organs also develop, but the babys gender is difficult to distinguish on ultrasound. The circulatory and urinary systems are working and the liver produces bile. By the end of the third month, baby is fully formed. At the end of the third month, baby is about 4 inches long.

Month 4 :boy or girl?

Eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair are formed. Baby can even suck his or her thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces. The nervous system is starting to function. The reproductive organs and genitalia are now fully developed. By the end of the fourth month, your baby is about 6 inches long.

Month 5

Quickening. Hair growth begins called lanugo. This hair protects the baby and is usually shed at the end of the babys first week of life. Vernix caseosa This "cheesy" substance protects the babys skin from the long exposure to the amniotic fluid. By the end of the fifth month, baby is about 10 inches long.

Month 6

Babys finger and toe prints are visible. Eyes begin to open. Baby responds to sounds by moving or increasing the pulse. You may notice jerking motions if baby hiccups. Baby may survive after the 23rd week with intensive care. By the end of the sixth month, baby is about 12 inches long.

Month 7

Reserves body fat. Babys hearing is fully developed. Baby changes position frequently. The amniotic fluid begins to diminish. At the end of the seventh month, baby is about 14 inches long. If born prematurely, baby would be likely to survive after the seventh month.

Month 8

May notice that baby is kicking more. Babys brain is developing rapidly at this time, and baby can see and hear.

Most internal systems are well developed, but the lungs may still be immature. Baby is about 18 inches long

Month 9

The lungs are nearly fully developed. Baby can blink, close the eyes, turn the head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light, and touch. Babys position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down in the pelvis and hopefully head first. Baby is about 18 to 20 inches long.

Sources

Fertilization. 2012. n.p. Web. 4 Nov 2012. <http://www.womenhealth-info.com/80-Fertilization.html>. Feldman, Robert. Child Development. 5th ED. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print. "Fetal Development: Stages of Growth." Cleveland Clinic Foundation (2012): n.pag. Cleveland Clinic. Web. 4 Nov 2012. <http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/pregnancy/hic-fetaldevelopment-stages-of-growth.asp&xgt;. "Fetal Movement & Kicks During Pregnancy When You Dont Feel Pregnant." MamaNYC. Ethical Blogger, 04 2012. Web. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. <http://mamanyc.net/2012/09/fetal-movement-kickspregnancy-dont-feel-pregnant/>. "3 Major Stages of Fetal Development." YouTube. N.p., 14 2012. web. 4 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zasjMiQjvr0>.