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Active and quiet periods for the fetus do not correspond to those of the mother; fetuses are most active from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. [21] During the last four to six weeks before birth, most of the fetus's kicking and jabbing movements occur while it is sleeping lightly.
Human embryonic development covers the first eight weeks of development, which have 23 stages, called Carnegie stages. At the beginning of the ninth week, the embryo is termed a fetus (spelled "foetus" in British English). In comparison to the embryo, the fetus has more recognizable external features and a more complete set of developing organs.
From the 10th week of gestation (8th week of development), the developing embryo is called a fetus. All major structures are formed by this time, but they continue to grow and develop. Because the precursors of the organs are now formed, the fetus is not as sensitive to damage from environmental exposure as the embryo was.
The fetus reaches a length of about 40–48 cm (16–19 in). The fetus weighs about 2.5 to 3 kg (6 lb 10 oz)to 6 lb 12 oz). Lanugo begins to disappear. Body fat increases. Fingernails reach the end of the fingertips. A baby born at 36 weeks has a high chance of survival, but may require medical interventions. Fetus at 38 weeks after fertilization.
A human fetus, attached to placenta, at three months gestational age. In humans, the fetal stage starts nine weeks after fertilization. [7] At this time the fetus is typically about 30 millimetres (1 + 1 ⁄ 4 in) in length from crown to rump, and weighs about 8 grams. [7] The head makes up nearly half of the size of the fetus. [8]
At this stage, a fetus is about 30 mm (1.2 inches) in length, the heartbeat is seen via ultrasound, and the fetus makes involuntary motions. [48] During continued fetal development, the early body systems, and structures that were established in the embryonic stage continue to develop. Sex organs begin to appear during the third month of gestation.
This change in the shape of the fetal head is called molding and is much more prominent in women having their first vaginal delivery. [ 43 ] Cervical ripening is the physical and chemical changes in the cervix to prepare it for the stretching that will take place as the fetus moves out of the uterus and into the birth canal.
Once the fetus is sufficiently developed, chemical signals begin the process of birth, which begins with the fetus being pushed out of the birthing canal. The newborn, which is called an infant in humans, should typically begin respiration on its own shortly after birth. Not long after, the placenta eventually falls off on its own.