Module 11

Pre-natal
Development
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this Module, you should be able to:
- trace the course of the prenatal developmental process that you went through.
- explain the most common hazards to pre-natal development
- become more appreciative of the gift of life manifested in an anti-abortion
- stand.
Life before birth
The development of the unborn child

The development of human life in the womb was once a mystery,

but science and medicine have changed that. Abortion advocates
still try to dehumanize the developing baby in the womb by
speaking of the child as "a blob of tissue" or “uterine contents."
But ultrasound images, prenatal surgery and other advances in
obstetrics are shattering the blob-of-tissue myth.

Dr. Paul Rockwell, a New ork physician, made these profound

observations after his amazing encounter with a tiny unborn baby
boy: "Eleven years ago while I was giving an anesthetic for a
ruptured ectopic pregnancy (at two months gestation), I was
handed what I believe was the smallest living human ever seen.
The embryo was intact and transparent. Within the sac was a tiny
human male swimming extremely vigorously in the amniotic fluid,
while attached to the wall by the umbilical cord."
1. Germinal
Stage
This period, the differentiation of cells already
begins as the inner and outer layers of the
organisms are formed. The blastocyst the inner
layer of the cells that develops during the
germinal period, develops later into the
embryo.

The trophoblast, the outer layers of cells that

develop also during this period , later provides
nutrition and support for the embryo.
2. Embyonic Stage
( 2-8 Weeks after Conception)

In this stage, the name of the mass

cells, zygote, become embryo.
The following developments take place:
a. Cell differentiation intensifies.
b. Life-support systems for the embryo
develop
c. Organs appear
 3. Fetal Period
( 2- 7 months )
Growth and development continue dramatically during
this period.
a. 3 months – the fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs
about 1 ounce, the fetus becomes active, moves its arms
and legs and opens and closes its mouth and moves its
head , the face, forehead , eyelids, nose , chin can be
distinguished and also the upper arms, lower arms,
hands, and lower limbs; the genitals can now be
identified as male or female.
b) 4 months after conception - fetus is about 6 inches
long and weighs 4 to 7 ounces; growth spurt occurs in the
body's lower parts; pre-natal reflexes are stronger;
mother : feels arm and leg movements for the first time.
 3. Fetal Period
( 2- 7 months )
c) 5 months after conception - fetus is about 12 inches
long; weighs close to a pound; structures of the skin
(fingernails, toenails) have formed; fetus is more active.
d) 6 months after conception- fetus is about 14 inches
long and weighs one and half pound; eyes and eyelids
are completely formed; fine layer of head covers the
head; grasping reflex is present and irregular movements
occur.
e) 7 months after conception - fetus is about 16 inches
long and weighs 3 pounds
f.) 8 and 9 months after conception - fetus grows longer
and gains substantial weight, about 4 pounds
Teratology and Hazards to
Prenatal Development

Teratology is the field that investigates the

causes of congenital (birth) defects.
A teratogen is that which causes birth defects.
It comes from the Greek word "tera" which
means "monster".
Below are clusters of hazards
to pre-natal development:
1) Prescription and nonprescription drugs - These include prescription as well as non-prescription
drugs. Antibiotic is an example of a prescription drug that can be harmful. Examples of harmful
nonprescription drugs are diet pills, aspirin, and coffee.
2) Psychoactive drugs – This includes nicotine, caffeine, and illegal drugs such as marijuana,
cocaine, and heroin. Heavy drinking by pregnant women results in “fetal alcohol syndrome”
( FAS) which is a cluster of abnormalities that appears in the children of mothers who drink
alcohol heavily during pregnancy.
3) Environmental Hazards – these include radiation and X-rays, environmental pollutants, toxic
wastes, and prolonged exposure to heat in saunas and bathtubs.
4) Other maternal factors such as rubella, syphilis, genital herpes, AIDS, nutrition, high anxiety and
stress, age.
It also is recognized that maternal
malnutrition during pregnancy may
result to inadequate growth in the
fetus. If a fetus does not receive
enough nourishment, the rate of cell
division is seriously hampered. An
extremely deprived fetus may have
20% fewer brain cells than normal. If an
infant has been malnourished both in
utero and infancy, the brain may be as
much as 60% smaller than that of a
normal child.
Folic acid is necessary for pregnant
mothers. Folic acid can reduce the risk
of having a baby with a serious birth
defect of the brain and spinal cord.
Human Life Begins at
Conception
Human Life Begins at Conception

Human life begins from the

moment of conception. All that we
have and all that we are have been
That which is in the mother's womb
there at the moment of conception!
is indeed a developing human
From conception the zygote, the The fact that you have brown eyes
being. An unborn baby of eight ( 8
embryo and the fetus are and black, straight or curly hair and
weeks is not essentially different
undeniably human life. the fact that you will turn bald at
from one of eighteen (18) weeks or
age 50 have been there already at
twenty-eight (28) weeks.
the moment of conception. What
were added in the process of
development is nutrition.
APPLICATION
1. Group Project
As a group, you are asked to give a one-day seminar-workshop for the mothers and fathers of children
enrolled in your cooperating school.
In this seminar for mothers and fathers, teach them how pre-natal development takes place and what they
should do to ensure normal and healthy development of the embryo and the fetus by means of a PowerPoint
presentation.
2. Pretend you are "Junior," 4 months old in the womb. Your Mother is concentrating on doing abortion. Write
her a letter convincing her that you are a human being developing contrary to what she and other pro-
abortionists are thinking. Describe to her the development that has already taken place in 4 months.
Reflect what you learned on pre-natal development in this Module. Give your letter this title "A Letter from
Junior" (or you may want to write your name).