The document summarizes prenatal development from fertilization through the three main stages: germinal, embryonic, and fetal. It describes the key events that occur during each period such as organ formation and physical changes. It also discusses potential hazards to development like teratogens, drugs, diseases, nutrition, stress, and maternal age. The summary emphasizes educating mothers about prenatal hazards to promote a healthy pregnancy and baby.

1. PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
Stages, Hazards, and Influences of
Development
Hannah Rowe

2. PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
 Three Stages:
 Germinal Stage
 Fertilization to 10-14 weeks
 Embryonic Period
 2 to 8 weeks
 Fetal Period
 8 weeks to birth

3. FERTILIZATION
 A sperm cell from the father penetrates and unites
the ovum from the mother to form a new organism
called the zygote.
 Each ovum contains one X chromosome, but
requires either one X or one Y from the sperm cell.
 This is when the fetus is conceived.

4. GERMINAL STAGE
 Fertilization to 10-14 days
 Might be associated with bleeding
 25% to 55% never achieve implantations
 Blastocyst forms
 Cluster of cells
 The blastocyst implants itself into the uterus wall
 5-7 days after it establishes a placenta and circulation

5. GERMINAL STAGE
 Two weeks after, pregnancy is established
 The blastocyst produces hormones for two reasons:
 Prevent menstruation
 Protect the embryo

6. EMBRYONIC STAGE
 2 to 8 weeks
 Physical appearance
 Major organ formation
 Also known as the “critical stage”
 Vulnerable to outside influences
 Probability of structural defects are the greatest

7. FETAL STAGE
 8 weeks to birth
 Continued development
 Weight gain
 Facial features
 Active movement
 Quickening
 Rapid rate of growth
 Brain development

8. HAZARDS TO PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
 Teratogens:
 any agent that causes a birth defect
 Most susceptible in the embryonic stage
 Severity and type of defect depends on dosage,
genetic susceptibility, and time of exposure

9. HAZARDS TO PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
 Prescription & Nonprescription Drugs
 Causes babies to be addicted
 Antibiotics
 Estrogen
 Aspirin
 Diet pills

10. HAZARDS TO PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
 Psychoactive Drugs
 Drugs that act on the nervous system to alter states of
consciousness, modify perceptions, an change moods.
 Caffeine:
 High consumptions (2 or more 8-oz cups of coffee; 5 or more
12-oz cans of cola) can cause a high risk of miscarriage

11. HAZARDS TO PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
 Psychoactive Drugs
 Alcohol:
 During pregnancy can result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
(FASD)
 FASD is abnormalities in the child including facial deformities,
defective limbs and organs, and mild to moderate mental
illness
 Nicotine:
 Can cause increased risk:
 Preterm births
 Fetal death
 Low birth weight
 Withdrawals
 Respiratory problems
 ADHD
 SIDS.

12. MATERNAL INFLUENCES TO DEVELOPMENT
 Maternal Diseases
 Diseases and infections can cause defects by crossing
the placental barrier
 Rubella
 Syphilis
 Genital herpes
 HIV

13. MATERNAL INFLUENCES TO DEVELOPMENT
 Maternal Diet and Nutrition
 Malnourishment
 Can lead to low birth weight, infant mortality, poor intellectual
abilities
 Undernourishment
 Can lead to low birth weight
 Obesity
 At risk for stillbirth, fetal death, and central nervous system
defects

14. MATERNAL INFLUENCES TO DEVELOPMENT
 Emotional States and Stress
 Adrenaline producing factors such as intense fears,
anxieties, and stress are linked to preterm delivery
 Risk factor for emotional or cognitive problems, ADHD,
and language delay

15. MATERNAL INFLUENCES TO DEVELOPMENT
 Maternal Age
 20s
 Fertility declines until mid-30s
 Mortality rates of infants born to adolescent mothers is
double that of infants born to mothers in their 20s
 After 35
 Down Syndrome increases
 Risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal death

16. PRENATAL CARE
 It is important to educate the mother about
teratogens and other prenatal hazards to ensure a
healthy beginning for her and her baby.

17. CITED SOURCES
 Information:
 Santrock, J. W. (2008). A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development.
Dallas,Texas: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
 Pictures:
 Government of Western Australia. (2011). Reducing Alcohol Related
Harm. Commissioner for Children and Young People. Feb 25, 2012, from
www.ccyp.wa.gov.au
 Unknown. (2009). Images. Knowledge Rush. Feb 25, 2012, from
www.knowledgerush.com
 Muckle, C & Feinberg, E. (2008). Developmental Abnormalities of the
Female Reproductive System. Global Library of Women’s Medicine. Feb
26, 2012, from www.glowm.com
 Jane, D. (2011). Prenatal Development. Nursing Crib. Feb 26, 2012 from
nursingcrib.com
 Jacobson, N. M. (2002). Fetal Development. eNotes. Feb 26, 2012 from
www.enotes.com
 Chang, L. (2011). Fetal Development Month by Month. WebMD. Feb 26,
2012, from www.webmd.com/baby
 Wilson, J. (2012). Caffeine Content of Popular Drinks. Caffeine. Feb 26,
2012, from wilstar.com
 Reavely, J. (2011). Baby Bump Photography. Josie Reavely. Feb 27,
2012, from jreavely.com