User:Acho01604/Prenatal development


 * change the terminology section?

- doesn't seem necessary to include..?

early signs and symptoms of pregnancy
Before you take a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy, there are a few indicators that are already present that could indicate if you are pregnant. Some of these indicators are physical changes to your body. You may have:

(list some of the physical changes as well as explaining the causes and reasonings why)

terminology
There are some key terms to know about prenatal development. Gestation is known as the period of development between conception and birth. The gestational age is able to determine the age of the unborn baby. The way that it is calculated is to take the first day of the mother's last menstrual cycle. In prenatal development, there are three different stages: the germinal period, the embryonic period, and the fetal period.


 * add some more detail to the fertilization section

fertilization
Fertilization marks the first germinal stage of embryonic development. When semen is released into the vagina, the spermatozoa travel through the cervix, along the body of the uterus, and into one of the fallopian tubes where fertilization usually takes place in the ampulla. About 200 million sperms are released by the average male with the possibility of just one managing to adhere to and enter the thick protective layer surrounding the egg cell (ovum). To provide a visual example of the germinal stage, it can be described as the zygote trying to find a place to live. (possibly add more detail?) The first sperm cell to successfully penetrate the egg cell donates its genetic material (DNA) to combine with the DNA of the egg cell resulting in a new one-celled zygote. The term "conception" refers variably to either fertilization or to formation of the conceptus after its implantation in the uterus, and this terminology is controversial.

The zygote will develop into a male if the egg is fertilized by a sperm that carries a Y chromosome, or a female if the sperm carries an X chromosome. (briefly mention the types of genetic disorders that could happen)

development of the embryo
- provide visual example of embryonic stage (organize)

- crucial period! explain why

- differentiation!


 * " During this critical period the developing embryo is also susceptible to toxic exposures, such as:"

- save this part for later on, just mention that mothers have to be careful!


 * find more information and sources for the "nutrition" section
 * provide visual example of fetal stage (final touches)

- ultrasound appointments are needed to check if baby is developing healthy and normally

growth rate
- break down growth of baby by every few weeks

factors influencing development
- prenatal environment

- teratogen

- nutrition and maternal weight

- lack of folic acid

- strenuous working conditions, occupational fatigue, long working hours

- prescribed medications

- alcohol (fetal alcohol syndrome - FAS)

- marijuana and cocaine

- nicotine

- caffeine

- paternal factors (male)

- mental health?


 * talk about some genetic disorders (dominant, recessive, sex-linked, chromosomal)
 * talk about gestational diabetes
 * mention the weight gain in pregancy
 * talk about the complications of pregnancy