Fetal Development

Stages of fetal development
A fertilized egg (ovum) matures from a single

cell to a fully developed fetus ready to be born
Fetal growth and development can be divided
into three time periods.
•Pre-embryonic (first 2 weeks, beginning with
fertilization)
•Embryonic (weeks 3 through 8)
•Fetal ( from week 8 through birth).
Ovum surrounded by mucus called zona pellucida
,and circle of cells called corona radita
Ejaculation of semen average 2.5ml with
50to200million sperm.
90 second reach the cervix .hyaluronidase released by
sperm and dissolve the layer. After penetration the cell
change composition to become impervious to sperm
implantation
Zygote reach uterus 3to 4 days. Cell division is
continuous around 15to 60 cell at uterus.
 as large cell mass leaving with fluid surround .called
blastocyst.
The cells in the outer ring are trophoblast cells. They
are the part of the structure that will later from the
placenta and membranes. The inner cell mass
( embryoblast cells) is the portion of the structure that
will form the embryo.
Implantation usually occurs high in the uterus, on
the
posterior surface. If the point of implantation is low
in the uterus the growing placenta may occlude the
cervix and make birth of the child difficult (placenta
previa), because the placenta can block the birth
canal.
Fertilization: The Beginning of Pregnancy
Is the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon

Fertilization must occur fairy quickly because an
ovum is capable of fertilization for only about 24
hours to 48 at the most.
Fetal Growth
Name Time Period
Ovum From ovulation to fertilization
Zygote From fertilization to implantation
Embryo From implantation to 5-8 weeks
Fetus From 5-8 weeks until term
Conceptus Developing embryo and placental structures
throughout pregnancy
Age of viability The earliest age at which fetuses survive if they are
born is generally accepted as 24 weeks, or at the point
at fetus weighs more than 500-600 g.
Embryonic and fetal structures
• The endometrium is now typically termed the

decidua, because it will be discarded after birth of the
child. under influence of HCG.
• Chorionic Villi miniature villi, resembling probing
fingers and termed chorionic villi, reach out from
the trophoblast cells into the uterine endometrium
to begin formation of the placenta.
• The placenta grows from a few identifiable
trophoblast cells at the beginning of pregnancy to an
organ 15 to 20 cm in diameter and 2 to 3 cm in depth,
covering about half the surface area of the internal uterus at
term.
circulation
12th day maternal collect in intervillous space of the
endometrium.3d blood week nutrients ,oxygen ,water
through chronic villi and capillaries to embryo.
 be careful. from medication.

As number of chronic villi increase ,intravillous space
grow, separated by septa called
cotyledon(30).placental flow increase from 50 ml/m at
10wk to 500-600ml/m at term .
braxton hicks contraction
Uterine perfusion increase in pregnant when lying
on her left side .this left the uterus away from the
inferior venacava if not supine hypotension.
Placenta weight 400to 600gm at term .one sixth
of baby weight.
If bigger so demand increased .like women with
diabetes.
Endocrine function
HCG.
 present in blood and urine as early after
implantation
Ensure production of estrogen and progesterone in
corpus luteum.
.PROGESTERONE.
Hormone of pregnancy.
After placenta production till pregnancy.
ESTROGEN for mammary gland developmen.t
Human placental lactogen for lactation and regulating
maternal glugose,fat,proteins.
Placental protein to decrease immunologic impact.
Prevent hypertension.
Amniotic fluid about 800-1200ml.
Hydromnios in esophageal artesia ,diabetes.
Oligohydromnios in less than 300ml due to
imbalance
renal function.
Fluid protect fetus from trauma ,blow to mother
abdomen, freedom to move .protect fetus from change
in temp .protect oxygen supply.
Umbilical cord.
53cm in length and 2cmthick.
The bulk of it is gelatinous to prevent pressure on vein
and arteries. Always cheek for number
blood flow 350ml /m .
systolic and diastolic pressure can be measured by
ultrasound.
Nuchal cord is loop of cord around fetus neck.
Origin and development of organ system
Stem cell.first4days undifferentiated cell .another
4days start to show differentiate to specific cells, nerve
brain ,skin.
Cephalocaudal growth .
At implantation blastocyst differentiate three layers.
Ectoderm c.n.s ,skin hair
Mesoderm .supporting structure ,kidney and ureters.
Lining of pleural cavities and others
Organogenesis VS eratogens.
Fetal hemoglobin
Fetal hg two alpha and two gamma chain ,grea ter
affinity to oxygen .
Hg 17g/100ml Hct 53%.
Respiratory function .at third week begin,resp and
digestive exist in single tube.spontinous
respiratory practice as 3month.
Lung fluid.
Surfactant at 24 weeks l/s ratio
Respiratory system
At the third week of intrauterine life the respiratory and
digestive tracts exit as a single tube
By the end of the forth week a septum begins to divide
the esophagus from the trachea at the same time lung
buds appear on the trachea
Spontaneous respiratory practice movements begin as
early as 3 months gestation
Surfactant is formed and excreted by the alveolar cells of
the lungs beginning at about 24 th week of pregnancy
Nervous system
A neural plate is apparent by the third week of
gestation
All parts of the brain form in utero although none are
completely mature at birth
By 24 weeks the ear is capable of responding to sound
and the eyes exhibit a pupillary reaction indication
sight is present
Endocrine system
The fetal pancreas produces insuline needed by the
fetus
The thyroid and parathyroid gland play vital roles in
fetal metabolic function and calcium balance
The fetal adrenal glands supply a precursor necessary
for estrogen synthesis by the placenta
Digestive system
By the sixth week of intrauterine life the intestinal
becomes too large to be contained by the abdomen
If any intestine remains outside the abdomen in the
base of the cord a congenital anomaly termed
omphalocele will be present at birth
Meconium a collection of cellular wastes bile fats
mucoproteins mucopolysaccharides and portion of
the vernix caseosa
The gastrointestinal tract is sterile before birth
The liver is active throughout intrauterine life
Musculoskeletal system
A fetus can be seen to move on ultrasonography as
early as the 11th week although the mother usually does
not feel this movement ( quickening ) until almost 20
week gestation
Reproductive system
A child sex is determined at the moment of
conception by a spermatozoon carrying an X or Y
chromosome and can be ascerained as early as 8 weeks
by chromosome analysis or analysis of fetal cells in the
mothers bloodstream
Urinary system
The fourth week of intrauterine life the presence of
does not appear to be essential for life before birth
because the placenta clears the fetus of waste products
Fetal urine output 500ml /day at term.
Integumentary system
The skin thin and trnslucent untill subcautanous fat
tissue deposit at 36 wks.skin covered with lanugo.
Immune system
Maternal antibodies cross the placenta into fetus as
early as the 20th week and certanily by the 24th week of
intrauterine life to give a fetus temporary passive
immunity against disease for which the mother has
antibodies

Fetal Development

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Fetal Development

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Stages of fetal development

A fertilized egg (ovum) matures from a single

Is the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon

• The endometrium is now typically termed the

 be careful. from medication.

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