Prenatal Development Lasts approximately 266 days Three Periods: Germinal Embryonic Fetal

Germinal Period First two weeks after conception Includes the creation of the zygote, continued cell division, and the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall

Germinal Period Blastocyst: groups of cells that will eventually become the embryo Implantation of the zygote to the uterine wall occurs 6 days after conception

Embryonic Period Occurs three to eight weeks after conception Blastocyst attaches to uterine wall; now called an embryo Cell differentiation intensifies, support systems for the cells form, and organs appear

Embryonic Period Organogenesis: name given to the process of organ formation during the first two months of prenatal development

Life Support Systems Amnion: bag-like structure that contains a clear fluid in the which the embryo floats Chorion: membrane that surrounds the amnion and attaches villi to the uterine lining to gather nourishment; becomes the placenta Placenta: tissue fed by blood vessels from mother and connected to the embryo Umbilical Cord: connects the placenta to the embryo

Fetal Period 9 th week of pregnancy until birth Proliferation of neurons Neuron differentiation: depends on migration Stem cell: unspecified cell Age of viability

Arousal Patterns Relationship between fetal physiology and infant temperament

Prenatal Testing Ultrasound Sonography Chorionic Villus Sampling Amniocentesis Maternal Blood Screening

Infertility and Reproductive Technology 10 to 15 percent of US couples experience infertility Infertility: inability to conceive after 12 months May be caused by man or woman Options for addressing infertility