What Develops Last During Prenatal Development?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The last stage of prenatal development is

the fetal stage

, which lasts from two months after conception until birth. About one month into this stage, the sex organs of the fetus begin to form. The fetus quickly grows as bones and muscles form, and it begins to move inside the uterus.

What is the last major organ to develop in a fetus?

During the final weeks of your second trimester, fat starts to develop on your baby’s skin, and its major organs — such as the

liver and pancreas

— become stronger. At the end of 24 weeks, the fetus is about 10 to 11 inches long and weighs about 1 pound.

What develops during prenatal development?

The embryonic stage plays an important role in the development of the brain. Approximately four weeks after conception, the

neural tube

forms. This tube will later develop into the central nervous system including the spinal cord and brain. The neural tube begins to form along with an area known as the neural plate.

What are the 3 main stages of prenatal development?

There are three stages of prenatal development:

germinal, embryonic, and fetal

.

What are 3 environmental factors that affect prenatal development?

Various teratogens include drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and other environmental agents. The adverse effects of a teratogen depend on several factors, such as the

dose or level of exposure, heredity, age of the teratogen, and any other negative influences

.

At what week is a baby’s brain fully developed?

Your baby’s brain development is a complex process that continues throughout your pregnancy. At just

six weeks

, the embryo’s brain and nervous system begin to develop, although the complex parts of the brain continue to grow and develop through the end of pregnancy, with development ending around the age of 25.

At what week is baby fully developed?

By the end of the

40th week of

pregnancy — 38 weeks after conception — your baby is considered full term.

How do I know if my baby is developing normally in the womb?


An ultrasound

is usually done for all pregnant women at 20 weeks. During this ultrasound, the doctor will make sure that the placenta is healthy and attached normally and that your baby is growing properly. You can see the baby’s heartbeat and movement of its body, arms, and legs on the ultrasound.

What is the most important stage of prenatal development?


The embryonic period

is the most critical period of development because of the formation of internal and external structures. The critical periods of development for the organs are also discussed in the section on specific organ development.

What is the most critical stage of prenatal development?

In general, major defects of the body and internal organs are more likely to occur between 3 to 12 embryo / fetal weeks. This is the same as 5 to 14 gestational weeks (weeks since the first day of your last period). This is also referred to as the

first trimester

.

How do teratogens cause birth defects?

As a baby grows in the womb, teratogens may affect parts of the baby’s body

as they are forming

. For example, the neural tube closes in the first 3 to 5 weeks of the pregnancy. During this time, teratogens can cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

What are genetic factors affecting prenatal development?

Maternal genetic factors explained

22% of the variation in birth weight, 19% of the variation in birth length and head circumference

, and 14% of the variation in gestational age. Relative to the proportion of explained variation, fetal genes were most important for birth length and head circumference.

What are the environmental factors that affect child development?

  • Emotional Bond With Your Child: One of the first and main environment, your child will experience is the one at home. …
  • Your Equation With Your Partner: …
  • Your Family’s Financial Health: …
  • Overcrowded Living Spaces: …
  • A Learning Environment:

What are 4 environmental factors that can harm a fetus?

Environmental factors which have been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcome include

smoking, video display terminals, anesthetic gases, antineoplastic drugs and exposure to lead, selenium and inorganic mercury

.

How can I improve my baby’s brain during pregnancy?

  1. Take a Hike. Well, it doesn’t have to be a hike, a 30-minute walk will do the trick! …
  2. Food as Medicine. …
  3. Supplement A Healthy Diet. …
  4. Read to Your Bump. …
  5. Get More Sleep. …
  6. Get Geared Up.

What should I eat for baby’s brain development during pregnancy?

Eat

healthy


Omega 3 fatty acids

are absolutely essential for baby’s brain development. Make certain you include foods that have a good content of omega 3, such as, fish, soybeans and spinach, in your diet. Also, iron found in leafy vegetables, like spinach, helps the flow of oxygen to the baby’s brain cells.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.