Online Lab #7

For this lab, I was supposed to pick ten stages of fetal development that I found most important. Talking to a new mother (friend of mine), I learned that her anxiety grew with each upcoming month. The monthly tallies were the biggest shocks to her when she realized how much the baby developed in such a short period of time. So here's my top ten:

1. Fertilization takes place within the first twenty four to forty eight hours. I believe this stage is crucially important because it the odds of an egg being fertilized is very low. This event is unique and it's the beginning of it all.



2. At four weeks, the baby embryo begins growing limbs. Even more interesting is that a heart is very much formed and is actually beating! The baby's development extends even to the development of the intricate organ systems and the nervous system is being even more relevant. These organs help the baby further develop.



3. By eight weeks, the baby's organ system aren't quite finished but they are much more developed and working better. The baby is also beginning to get it's face! He or She begins getting facial charateristics and fingers are completely noticeable.



4. By the twelve and thirteenth months, you are able to decipher whether your child is going to be a boy or a girl! Many parents favor this stage because it gives them a chance to get ready for their little gift and start making plans for the baby room, baby shower, colors, toys, etc. Also, the baby's fingerprints are fully developed which I believe is amazing because everyone's fingerprints are different and we have them the rest of our lives.



5. Finally, the mother is able to connect fully with her baby. Around the fourth month, she is able to actually feel the baby wiggle around, kick and turn in her uterus. This is probably a real reality check for most people as it is quickly becoming more and more real. The baby's skeleton is also hardening from the soft, mushy cartilage it once was, to bone. The placenta is now entirely functional. It takes up 20 to 25% of the area of the uterus.



6. At around 22 weeks, the baby's eyebrows and eyelids are formed and the baby is beginning to grow. Doubling it's length from the previous month, this little guy is getting fed and is growing well. I believe this stage is very important because the baby is growing the hair on its face which makes it more of a human.



7. Finally near the end of the 2nd trimester, the baby is gaining weight and is now a pound and a half. This month marks an awakening of attention and muscle development. The baby is starting to get that dreded baby fat :) and his skin is beginning to smooth out and become baby soft.



8. At seven months, the baby's survival rate, in case of a premature birth, is much higher than previous months. The baby is much more likely to live with every day and week that pass by. He is now able to follow a light with his eyes and is about 3 pounds.



9. For the eighth month, the baby is almost 5 pounds and is very well rounded. It's lungs are developing and the baby is almost ready to see the world. I believe this is an important stage because the parents are both probably ready to get the show on the road as bothof the parents are probably tired and over stressed. They know their little one is on the way and anxiety may kick in.



10. At nine months the baby is well-developed and ready to live life on the outside of his mother's belly, living and breathing without the help of his mother's uterus and her placenta. The baby is beginning his life as we all do.