PRENATAL FACT SHEET

There are amazing developments that take place during conception and birth. During the first three
months of development, the first trimester, the cells rapidly multiply but they also begin to differentiate into
blood cells, liver cells, nerve cells, and so forth. The external features such as the eyes, ears, arms, and
legs and the internal organs begin to form. (Berk, 2013, Chapter 3, pg. 92) In the second trimester,
months four through six are a time for growth and development. The mother begins to feel the movement
of the fetus and the heartbeat can be heard. The fetus grows to about 15 inches and weighs about 2
pounds and 11 ounces. During the third trimester the fetus' brain is developing rapidly. The fetus is able
to listen through the womb and hear noises, voices, and learning sound and language. A parent should
read to the fetus to encourage voice recognition and brain development.

Eating a well-balanced diet while pregnant will help keep mother and baby healthy. Also, being in a
healthy environment will also keep the baby healthy. Exposure during pregnancy to environmental toxins
such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cleaning products, and chemical solvents may all lead to atypical
developments such as; miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays. "Even
at low levels, affected infants and children show slightly poorer mental and motor development. The
greater the prenatal exposure, the lower children's test scores." (Berk, 2013, Chapter 3, pg. 101)

Reference: Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Developmental Milestones Typical Development

Physical
Around the fourth week,
the head begins to form
quickly followed by the
eyes, nose, ears, and
mouth.

Cognitive
Around 28 weeks,
the brain starts to
mature.

By six weeks pregnant,

the baby's heartbeat
begins and arms and
legs develop. Basic
facial feature become
apparent and your baby
takes on a "C" shape.

By 20th to 27th
week the fetus
responds with
arousal and body
movements to
vibrations and loud
sounds delivered to
the maternal
abdomen.

Social-Emotional
Fetus begins to hear
sounds at as early as 20
weeks and by the third
trimester can begin to
connect with the
parents/caregivers
sounds. (Kisilevsky,
2009)
Baby turns head in
womb to face the sound
during the third
trimester. (Kisilevsky,
2009)

Language

Baby body talk includes various

senses: responding to tastes and
odors by abrupt behavior changes
reflecting pleasure or displeasure.
Baby body Language
(Chamberlain, n.d.)
Reacting against strong light,
noise, pressure, or pain by
gestures of defense or escape;
etc. Baby body Language
(Chamberlain, n.d.)

Reasoning
N/A

N/A

Fetal Images

Atypical Patterns of Fetal Growth

1.
2.

Stress from Mother Stress can reduce blood flow depriving he fetus of oxygen; which could
result in brain damage. A fetus with brain damage may not exhibit fetal movement in the womb.
Exposure of a fetus to common carcinogens during the late stages of pregnancy may be even
more harmful than exposure after birth, causing long-lasting genetic damage that could lead to
cancer in childhood, young adulthood or even middle age. (Williams, 2008)

Social Influences - The mothers physical and social environments play a role in prenatal development
i.e. infectious agents, toxins such as lead and air pollution, smoking, drugs, etc.

Cultural Influences Types of cultural foods with poor nutrition could have a negative effect on the
fetuss development and mothers health.