Prenatal and Newborn Development
By: Krista Sherick
First Trimester
Weeks 1-12
- In your first week of pregnancy your baby is called a Zygote. A one celled organism. Your little baby Zygote duplicates and replicates and forms a bundle of cells called a blastocyst.
- One third of the way through your first trimester your blastocyst has developed into an embryo. At this point your baby has all of it's DNA make-up-hair and eye color, complexion, sex and other characteristics.
- Your baby's internal organs develop and your baby's heart begins to beat.
- At the end of the first 12 weeks your baby is about the size of your pinky finger.
Second Trimester
Weeks 13-27
- Your baby can hiccup and suck its thumb. Your baby can also see some light through your belly and can hear moms heartbeat.
- You will feel your baby move inside of you during the second trimester.
- You will be able to see the sex of your baby through an ultrasound.
- Your baby can feel mom moving around.
Third Trimester
Weeks 28-40
- Your baby is getting used to it's lungs by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid.
- Your baby is continuing to put on weight. Your baby will gain approximately 4 to 7 pounds. Activity is higher than ever.
- Your baby has fully grown fingers and toes, with nails and all.
- Your baby will position itself upside down to prepare for delivery.
Taking Care of your Unborn Baby
- Visit a doctor for prenatal care and to have them check medications that you take.
- Eat healthy foods. Your baby gets all of it's nourishment from what mom eats. Take prenatal vitamins. Some birth defects can be caused by diet. Lack of folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy show a direct link to spina bifida.
- Do not drink, smoke or use drugs while pregnant. This causes serious birth defects and mental illness in newborns.
What to expect from your newborn.
- Your baby will respond to familiar sounds, like moms voice.
- Your baby can see about a foot away, your baby will gaze at mom and dads faces. It's senses are getting stronger.
- Your baby will struggle to hold it's head up in the first few weeks, laying your baby on it's tummy will help develop strong neck muscles. You will need to support your baby's head.
- You will see your baby develop patterns of behavior, known as reflexes.
Preparing for a Healthy Year-and Beyond.
The first year is hard. Being prepared for being unprepared is the key.
- Take your baby in for regular check-ups and ask questions when something doesn't feel right.
- Connect with your infant. Neglecting an infants basic needs can lead to severe behavior disorders like Reactive Attachment Disorder.
- Think ahead. According to Laura Berk, "...development is continuous—a process of gradually adding more of the same types of skills that were there to begin with." Helping them develop skills cognitively and socially early on will only set them up for success in preschool in a few short years.
Why should parents understand fetal and newborn development?
It is important for parents to understand fetal and newborn development to take care of their new baby. During the first few months of development the baby depends wholly on the mother for all of its nutritional needs. The diet of a mom-to-be can have serious adverse affects on an unborn child. Likewise after your baby is born your lifestyle and attentiveness can help a child thrive, or cause them struggle.
Parents do not always know what to do. In fact new parents regularly feel lost. IT'S OKAY! Take advantage of the people around you who are willing to help. Ask questions, get advice and raise a happy healthy child.
Parents do not always know what to do. In fact new parents regularly feel lost. IT'S OKAY! Take advantage of the people around you who are willing to help. Ask questions, get advice and raise a happy healthy child.