Describe Human Development from Conception to birth

by sarahstevens (student)

GCSE Health and Social Care

Sabina Selgjekaj

Mrs Conway

A01

Describe human

Development from

Conception to birth

A01

Sabina Selgjekaj

In A01 I will present the unit of child development and I will carefully talk about human development from conception to birth. In A01 I will be drawing different factors and main points that have links to how a baby is conceived, I will independently explain in full depth the following:

Fertilisation

Foetal development

After I have made good accounts on Fertilisation and Foetal development, I will then be going over and explain step by step the course of pregnancy; this means that the following are the most important steps and procedures needed to be done in order to have a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests

Antenatal care and screening

Arrangements for labour

Preparation for parenthood

Birth of baby

Postnatal care immediately after birth

How a baby is conceived?

For Woman to conceive it is important to have an overview of the female’s menstrual cycle, this is highly beneficial as it plays a great deal of importance in the role of contraception.

Between majority of females 28 days cycle the egg comes to maturity in the ovary during the first 1-5 days. After the 5th day and 13th day the lining in the uterus begins to thicken for preparation for the egg. Roughly around the 14th day the female begins to ovulate, during the process the follicle burst open which then releases the egg into the fallopian tubes.

From then on after this process is carried out the male’s sperm has fertilize the egg which plants itself inside the uterus and once done starts to begin to grow. However if this process doesn’t work the egg will flushed out of the female’s menstrual cycle and the cycle will repeat itself.

During fertilisation the male ejaculates about 100 million sperm inside a female and it is estimated that 200 of the sperm survives to make it to the fallopian tubes and encounters the egg. Depending on the female’s body and if the conditions are right, sperm can live up to 3 days within their bodies, the egg is viable for 12-24 hours however it is more likely that the egg is viable to 12 hours.

What is Fertilisation?

Fertilisation is where a male’s sperm enters the female’s egg, once they have join they create a new cell which is called the embryo which starts to begin to divides in order to make a human being. Fertilisation takes place within one of the fallopian tubes or uterus. The sperm travels through the vagina once he climaxes during intercourse and a number of the sperm will then travel through the cervix and then back into the uterus.

Male sperm can remain viable within a female up to 72 hours and during this time the sperm will be searching constantly for the female egg to fertilise. During the search the sperm will also enter through the fallopian tube. Once fertilisation is done a normal and healthy pregnancy will have formed an embryo that exists after fertilisation plants itself into the wall of the uterus. The female’s uterus then starts too immediately to supply the embryo with blood.

The blood is what allows the embryo to start dividing itself, the original cell that was created from fertilisation will divide to create two cells that will divide again which creates four cells and carries on for the months ahead. At the end of this process the baby will be born consisted with millions of cells that were included from the embryo that was created to the fertilisation process.

Foetal Development

Within the early weeks of pregnancy the developing baby is known as an embryo. After eight weeks the developing baby is the known as the foetus. In the first trimester of the pregnancy which is between 0-13 weeks the baby is has then begun to develop.

3 Weeks

3 weeks from the first day of the female’s menstrual period their fertilised egg will move slowly through the fallopian tube to nearer the womb. The egg begins as one single cell and then progress into a mass over 100 cells when the egg reaches the womb known as the embryo as it continuously divides and grows. Once in the womb it plants itself into the womb lining which is known as implantation. The embryo formed will begin to settle in the womb lining and the outer cells will start to reach out like root to link with the female’s blood supply. Whilst the inner cells will begin to form into two and eventually three layers. Each layer grows in different part of the unborn baby’s body. All these layers are in different part and become different organs of the baby. One of the layers becomes the stomach, lungs and gut whilst another is the brain and nervous system, eyes, ears and skin and the last layer becomes the heart, blood, muscles and bones.

5 Weeks

Within the fifth week is where the female will missed their first period and notice signs of pregnancy. As well as the baby’s nervous system beginning to develop. A passage forms with top layers of cells, these cells fold up and make a round hollow tube known as the neural tube. This will form and become the baby’s spinal cord and brain as the tube will have a tail and head end. During this time the hearing is at its forming stage and the baby will have some of its own blood vessels. A string of the blood vessels become the umbilical cord as it connects with the mother and baby. At this time there will be a large increase where the heart is situated and a bump for the head as the brain is developing. During ultrasound the parents can see their baby’s heart beating. On each side of the head will have dimple as a sign of the ears developing and also have thickening of the eyes developing as well. The body will have bumps where muscles and bones are forming and small swellings identify the legs and arms growing.

7 Weeks

When the embryo has reached 7 weeks it has grown to about roughly 10 mm long from head to bottom, within this time the face is slowly forming and the eyes become more noticeable with some colour. as well as the eyes becoming more obvious the tongue and tongue is already formed and now is the beginning of the feet and hands to develop with points of the toes and fingers. Internal and major organs which include the lungs, brain, kidney, heart, gut and liver are all developing.

9 Weeks

During this week the baby’s growth is ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

7 Weeks

9 Weeks

During this week the baby’s growth is roughly around 22mm long from head to bottom, the umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline which is linked to the baby and mother. The cord is important as it circulates blood, carrying food to the baby and oxygen and carrying waste away again. The placenta is attached to the lining of the womb and also separates the baby’s circulation from the mother’s. Oxygen and food from the mothers pass through into the baby’s bloodstream within the placenta and also carried to the baby along the umbilical cord. The antibodies which give resistance to infection pass through the baby in the same order but so can nicotine, alcohol and other drugs. Within the womb the baby floats in a bag of fluid known as the amniotic sac, as during or before labour the sac breaks and these fluids drain or otherwise commonly known as water broke.

12 Weeks

After 12 weeks after conception the foetus is now fully developed having all the limbs, muscles, organs and bones as well as its sex organs developed. Now that all the organs are developed it will continue to mature and grow. Within this first trimester the baby has begun moving about however the movements cannot be felt.

14 Weeks

Within the fourteenth week the baby’s heartbeat is strong and can be heard during ultrasounds with the detector, this is very fast and roughly about twice as fast compared to an adult’s heartbeat. By the fourteen weeks the baby is roughly 85 mm long from head to bottom and the pregnancy begin to look visible however this depend on the female. At this stage the baby is growing more quickly as the body grows bigger so that the body and head are more proportion. As well as the body growing the face starts to have more human look and hair growth starts within in areas such as eyelashes and eyebrows. However the eyelids are still closed over the eyelids. The fingers are formed with the lines on the skin as now the baby has developed their own individual fingerprint. Toe and fingernails are growing and the within the stage the baby has a firm handgrip.

16 Weeks-22 Weeks

Within these 22 weeks the baby is covered with fine and soft hair known as lanugo however the reason behind this isn’t known but thought to keep the baby in the right temperature. This hair disappears before birth however in some occasions has a little left and disappears later. Within 16-22 weeks is when the mother begins to feel the baby move for the first time and at first the mother can feel shifting movement like indigestion however later on they won’t be unable to mistake the movements. The baby then begins to move vigorously and can respond to sound and touch. Some noises that are love can scare the baby making them kick or jump. At this stage the baby can also follow the pattern of sleeping and waking up and is likely to be different from the mothers. For example; when the mother is going to bed the baby is waking up. The baby's heartbeat can be heard through a stethoscope. The baby is covered in a white, greasy substance known as 'vernix'. The vernix is thought to be to protect the baby's skin as it floats in the amniotic fluid however before birth the vernix mostly disappears.

24 Weeks

The baby is called viable at 24 weeks and this means that the baby is thought to have a chance of survival when born. Majority of babies that are born before this have a low chance of survival as their lungs and other important organs are not developed well enough.

26 Weeks-30 weeks

Around this time during the pregnancy is when the baby opens their eyelids for the first time and it’s not until some weeks till after birth their eye colour stay. Roughly around 30 weeks they are around 33 cm from head to bottom. The baby is growing plumber so the skin is smoother as it would have been wrinkled before. As well the lanugo and vernix disappears.

32 Weeks

At the course of this time the baby is usually laying head downwards which is ready for birth. Sometime before birth the head may move downwards into the pelvis and this is known to be engaged, however sometimes the baby’s head does not engage until labour starts.

In order for conception to take place and form a human being intercourse between female and male needs to happen which each part of their organs within their reproductive system all play different parts and some that have the role in conceiving. I am going to include diagrams of a female and male reproductive system and outline all the organs and there purposes of what they do.

At week 34 the babies’ muscles have now begun to develop, which means the baby is now able to stretch their arms and legs and also begins to learn to kick; this is the moment whereby most women experience their baby kicking and is usually a happy time for both the mother and father.

By week 35 the baby has now grown to a rather large size. This is the time the baby produces fat under the skin making it a warm environment for them and for their birth. At this stage babies begin to expand on different body positions however because of the size of babies at this stage it reduces their space and make it a bit hard for them to move around freely due to their growth and them putting on weight.

At 37 weeks babies’ lungs are filled with amniotic fluid and begin preparation in ways of breathing techniques from when they are conceived and are out of the womb. At 37 weeks babies are still developing by putting more weight on and developing on their strength for when it is time to be conceived.

Once week 39 has arrived the babies internal organs have vastly developed and perfected. At this point some babies have an easy birth by positioning themselves whereby the head is facing down which makes it a much less painful birth and is a better way of conceiving the baby safely. This is also where the baby is signalling that he/she is ready for birth.

At 40 weeks the baby is very close to being conceived and leaves the womb. The baby has at this point now developed all of their muscles and their internal organs. The baby has now got fat cells which provide him/her with the insulation which is needed for when it exits the womb.

Male Reproductive System

(Organ A) Bladder: The bladder has the purpose to hold and dismiss liquid waste known as urine. The bladder rests on the pelvic floor and the shape and size of the bladder depends on how much urine it can take.

(Organ B) Seminal Vesicle: These are sack like pouches which attach the vas deferens near the base of the bladder; they produce liquids that nourish the sperm. The fluid of the seminal vesicles makes up the volume of the male’s ejaculatory fluid.

(Organ C) Prostate Gland: This gland is located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum. This gland contributes in additional fluid to the ejaculate and helps move sperm along. This fluid also helps nourish the sperm. The urethra that carries the ejaculate to be ejected during an orgasm will run through the centre of the prostate gland.

(Organ D) Urethra: This is a tube which is connected from the bladder to outside the body which carries the urine. Within the males reproductive system it has additional functions of ejaculating semen when a male has an orgasm. When the penis is erect during sexual intercourse the flow of the urine is blocked from the urethra and only the semen is to be ejaculated during an orgasm.

(Organ E) Vas Deferens: This is a long and muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity to just behind the bladder. This organ plays the role of transporting the mature sperm to the urethra, the tube that carries sperm or urine to the outside of the body in preparation for ejaculation.

(Organ F) Epididymis: This is a long and coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle; it transports and stores sperm cells which are produced in the testes. It also plays the role of bringing the sperm to maturity as that sperm emerges from the testes are immature and incapable of fertilisation with the egg. When a male is sexually aroused, contractions force the sperm into the vas deferens.

(Organ G) Testes: These are oval organs which lie in the scrotum and secured at either end by a structure known as the spermatic cord. Maturity of males have two testes, they are responsible for making testosterone, primary male sex hormone and generating sperm. In the testes are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules and these tubes are responsible to produce sperm cells.

(Organ H) Penis: The penis is the male organ which is used during sexual intercourse and has three parts to it which include the root that is attached to the wall of the abdomen, the body or shaft and the glans which are at the end of the penis and are cone-shaped. The glands are covered with a loose layer of skin known as the foreskin and are sometimes removed in circumcision which is a procedure. The penis has a number of sensitive nerve endings. The opening of the urethra is at the tip of the penis as this is a tube which transports semen and urine. Semen that contains sperm is ejaculated through the end of the penis when male reaches a sexual climax or known as orgasm. The function and body of the penis is shaped cylindrical and consists of three circular shaped chambers that are made up of special sponge like tissue. The tissue contains thousands of large spaces which are filled with blood when the male is aroused sexually. Due to the fact it is filled and contained with blood the penis becomes rigid and erect and this allows for penetration during intercourse. During erection the penis changes size so the skin of the penis is loose and elastic to accommodate the change.

(Organ I) Scrotum: This is a soft and loose pouch like sack of that hangs behind and below the male penis which contains two testes inside as well as many blood vessels and nerves. This organ plays the role as climate control for the testes as for normal sperm development the body temperature is slightly higher than the temperature of the testes because they must be at a cooler temperature. There are muscles in the wall of the scrotum which allows it to relax and contract, as it moves the testes away from the body to cool the temperature of closer to the body for warmth.

Female Reproductive System

Organ a (Fallopian Tubes): The fallopian tubes are narrow and are attached to the upper part of the uterus. They apply a passage way for eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. During conception the fertilisation of the egg by the sperm normally take place in the fallopian tube. Once the egg is fertilised it will move to the uterus where it will implant into the uterine wall.

Organ B (Ovary): The ovaries which are two small oval shaped glands that are located each side of the uterus. The two ovaries produce of thousand eggs that is known as ova. Unlike males produces sperm continually the females already have these cells from birth. Each individual ovum is tiny and forms a baby when joined with a male sperm. They as well produce the main female sex hormones that is release within the bloodstream

Organ C (Uterus): This is also known as the womb which is the second most muscular organ within the body and has a soft lining. The uterus is divided into two parts which is the cervix which is the lower part that opens into the vagina and main body of the uterus. The body can easily expand to hold a developing baby during pregnancy.

Organ D (Cervix): The cervix is a ring of muscle passageway at the lower end of the uterus into the opening of the vagina and during pregnancy closes to keep baby in the uterus until birth. A passage through the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood/period to exit through the vagina. One of the important functions of the cervix is during labour the cervix will dilates otherwise known as widens which allows a passage of the baby from the uterus to the vagina.

Organ E (Vagina): The vagina is a muscular tube connecting tube which joins the cervix/the lower part of the uterus to the outside of the body. During sexual intercourse the vagina receives the penis that is also a passageway for conceiving a baby. The opening of the vagina has fold of skins which is known as labia that meet to form a vulva. The urethra also open to the vulva however is separated from the vagina as it is used to exit urine from the body.

The vulva consists of the whole female genital package of labia, clitoris, vagina, and the opening to the urethra. The vulva has a stretchable passage which connects the female’s outer organs with the cervix and uterus.

Umbilical cord

The umbilical cord has a very important function as this is in the placenta which is used to pass through oxygen and food through the mother’s blood stream and then goes into the baby’s bloodstream. The cord has many vessels inside it which is made up of a vein which transports blood which has oxygen and nutrients which is then passed from the mother to the baby which passes through to the umbilical cord. The blood vessels are cared for and protected by a substance which is normally sticky.

The placenta is there to send antibodies through the umbilical cord into the baby supplying the baby with prevention of any infections.

Once the baby has been delivered the midwife will then cut the umbilical cord so that it develops into a belly button.

Uterus

During pregnancy the uterus expands so that the baby finds it easy to progress and grow. All through the pregnancy the muscles in the uterus stretch out. Once pregnant it is easy to feel the uterus growing in the inside body.

Placenta

The purpose of the placenta during pregnancy is to care for and protect the baby from being associated in any infections which could be harmful. The placenta is supplied with hormones which are helpful in the pregnancy and help the breasts become larger meaning that breastfeeding is able to proceed and take place. The placenta must be removed by a doctor or nurse after birth to reduce any risks of harm to the mother once she has given birth.

Factors that affect foetal development

There are various different factors which can affect foetal development, for example: the mother may be suffering from an illness or disease which can easily be passed onto the baby. Another factor that can affect foetal development is if the mother and baby are not the same blood type which could cause problems, therefore regular blood tests are done to ensure that cases like this do not occur and if this does happen then it is a better chance of finding a solution as soon as possible to prevent any complications.

Pregnancy tests

Pregnancy tests are used to check whether the mother is pregnant or not. Ways in which pregnancy tests work is by the mother using a pregnancy stick to urine on. The pregnancy stick discovers whether the mother is pregnant by their hormone which is also known as the pregnancy hormone which swiftly builds up from the beginning and start of conception.

Pregnancy tests involve two type of tests taking place and they are having blood tests done to detect the pregnancy hormone which is taken by a doctor, and the second type of test done is a urine test which is used to look out for the pregnancy hormone. There are also pregnancy tests which detect one week after a missed period if women are pregnant.

Different types of home pregnancy tests also occur which involve women peeing on a stick and leaving it for a couple of minutes to receive the result.

Sarah has looked into various different types of pregnancy tests in which she could carry out suitable to her. Sarah decided that she was unsure of which way to find out if she was pregnant or not so she felt a better judgement and security from her local pharmacy and also asked close friends. Sarah thought careful about which method would be better for her and decided to use the home pregnancy kit which involved her urinating on the pregnancy stick to see whether she was pregnant or not.

Antenatal care and screening

During pregnancy it is important that women go to antenatal classes as it is the best way in offering help and guidance so that the mother is ready in having her baby. Antenatal classes offer support and advice on how to look after the baby once it has been born. This is a chance for Mothers to receive as much information on the different possible arrangements for when in labour and birth, for example the mother could choose to have a water birth or a natural birth however this depends on if no problems occur, otherwise woman are able to have a birth plan drawn up to help them through their pregnancy.

Once at antenatal care the mother is then eligible to share and express any concerns or worries she may or experience in the birth of her child. These classes help to assist the mother in forming bonds and relationships with other mothers as it also allows them to talk about their birth plans and to also simply make friends with other mums to be.

In the process of pregnancy mothers usually begin to attend classes at roughly 8-10 weeks before the birth of their baby. It is important that for support those fathers also attend the classes as it’s a way of supporting their partners and sharing different views on the upcoming birth. These classes are important as it covers topics such as different solutions to staying healthy during the pregnancy and the different aspects which may occur during labour, these classes also offer assistance in relationships and how they would benefit a healthy birth.

Lucy decided to attend antenatal classes to find out as much information on what techniques she could use to while in labour and giving birth. In Lucy attending the antenatal classes is also provides a sense of comfort and allows Lucy and other mothers to speak to other mothers so that they exchange ideas and thoughts including their own experiences and finding out which techniques best suited them. Antenatal classes also helps to learn and teach different exercises such as breathing exercises and movements which are helpful for an easy birth and the types of breathing skills which help when in labour.

Arrangements for labour

Labour has many different was and techniques such as having a caesarean section being done which is normally performed if the mother is unable to conceive her baby via her vagina. This procedure involves the mother belly being cut so that they baby can easily be taken out. The placenta is removed; however there are woman who willingly choose to have a caesarean which may be pre-planned and is fully up to the mother to go through with this procedure.

The most obvious labour is the vaginal delivery which is a safe way of child birth. Vaginal delivery is whereby the baby is facing with their head downwards and is ready to come out and that the baby is without complication heading for the vagina and enters the world whereby the midwife then quickly takes out the placenta.

'Throughout my pregnancy everyone commented on how large my bump was, including the midwives. I was given the impression that I would deliver before my due date, especially as this was my second pregnancy. However, we were all wrong. I had planned on having a home birth, so when my due date came and went I was getting a bit desperate. I really wanted a home birth, but, even more, after all the horror stories I had heard about inductions, I did not want to be induced.

Read more: http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/labourandbirth/birthstories/phoebe/#ixzz285DVI72w

Preparation for parenthood

It is vital that mothers are prepared for parenthood so going to classes which allow other new mums to open up and ask any questions in which they do not know the answer to to be answered correctly by either professionals or whoever is in charge of the class. Also it gives a chance for mothers to express any worries they might have to the rest of the group.

Postnatal care immediately after birth

After the baby is born the midwife does regular check-ups to see how healthy the baby and mother are and to find out ways in which they are managing themselves. After the birth of the baby, he or she is taken away to check the temperature and see if it is normal, this is also a chance for the baby to be wrapped up in a blanket to ensure that the baby is kept warm at all times.

Situations whereby the baby is born healthy and without any complications it is then quickly wrapped up with a blanket and given to the mother where the mothers skin and babies skin are touching as it helps to keep the baby warm and be close to their mother for the first time. The midwife will then clamp the umbilical cord in two places. It is known that when babies are born they are born a dark purple/blue colour as they first enter the world; however it takes some time for the baby’s airwaves to be checked and cleared by the doctor allowing them to breathe.