Human Growth and Development

Prenatal Development
- Conception
- Germinal Period
  - Part of First Trimester
  - From conception until implantation in the uterine wall
  - blastocyst
  - trophoblast
- Embryonic Period
  - Part of First Trimester
  - Starts at implantation
  - Cells arranged into a 3-layer tube
    - Endoderm
    - Mesoderm
    - Ectoderm
  - Support system
  - Ogranogenisis
- Fetal Period
  - End of 1st trimester, through 2nd and 3rd
  - 2 months in
  - starting to look like an actual baby
Stuff that can Go Wrong
- Taratogen
- Timing is crucial
  - germinal period
  - embryonic period
  - fetal period
- Complex structures have longer sensitive periods
- Effects range in severity depending on amount of exposure
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
- Other taratogens
- A court case...
- Most of us turn out fine...
Childbirth
- Luckily, the uterus is one of the strongest muscles in the body
- Stages
  - First
  - Second
  - Third
- settings & attendants
  - traditional hospital
  - birthing center
  - home birth
  - midwives vs. physicians
  - cultural variations
- delivery methods
  - analgesia
  - anesthesia
  - prepared childbirth (Lamaze)
  - water birth
  - Cesarean
Postpartum
- From childbirth until return to "prepregnant" state - about 6 weeks
- Involution
- Breasfeeding
- Emotional adjustments