Lecture Notes: Development from Conception to Birth

Introduction

• Key Concept: Human development begins at conception.
• Epidemiologist Insight: David Barker highlights the importance of the prenatal phase, suggesting that the fetus receives environmental cues or "postcards" from the mother's experiences.

Month 1: From Conception

• Genetic Formation: Within 24 hours, genetic information is complete.
• Cell Division: Rapid cell division and travel from ovaries to uterus.
• Formation: Division into embryo and placenta.
• Growth: Visible spinal cord, heart, and brain by week 4, despite being poppyseed-sized.

Month 2: Rapid Growth

• Heartbeat: Initiates around weeks 4-5.
• Brain Growth: At a rate of 100,000 cells/minute.
• Health Influence: Maternal alcohol, drugs, stress can harm brain development.
• Size: Comparable to a raspberry.

Month 3: Sensory Development

• Stimuli Reaction: Developing sense of smell.
• Hearing: Ears start forming; able to hear maternal heartbeat.
• Motor Skills: Movement, smiling, thumb sucking.
• Size: About the size of a lemon.

Month 4: Further Development

• Proportions: Head is half of total size.
• New Skills: Kicking, peeing, swallowing.
• Taste Development: Influenced by maternal diet.
• Fetal Programming: Nutrient intake affects long-term health.
• Size: Comparable to a big tomato.

Month 5: Growth Spurts

• Hearing Clarity: Maternal voice becomes clearer.
• Physical Development: Teeth, real hair, nails developing.
• Interaction: Movement felt by mother.
• Size: Size of a dragon fruit.

Month 6: Cerebral and Visual Development

• Brain: Cerebral cortex splits into hemispheres.
• Eyes: First opening; response to light.
• Facial Expressions: Simple expressions form.
• Size: Comparable to a small cauliflower.

Month 7: Regular Patterns

• Sleep and Wake: Developing regular intervals.
• Language Exposure: Learning preference for native language begins.
• Survival Rate: 90% if born early.
• Size: Size of a pineapple.

Month 8: Almost Full-Term

• Behavior: Mimics a newborn.
• Lung Development: Nearly complete.
• Positioning: Most turn upside down.
• Size: Comparable to a melon.

Month 9: Final Preparations

• Motor Skills: Practicing movements.
• Natural Birth: Offers stronger immune protection.
• Size: Size of a jackfruit.
• Birth: Labor process and initial post-birth actions.

Conclusion

• Post-Birth: Initial bonding and instinctual behaviors.
• Learning Foundation: Early development is crucial for future learning.

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