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Prenatal Development - Ovum Or Germinal Stage, Embryo Stage, Fetal Stage, Prenatal Environmental Influences, Stress, Exercise - Conclusion

The end result of a successful pregnancy is that miracle called a child, which begins as a simple zygote and becomes a fertilized ovum during the first of three stages, or trimesters, of prenatal development. During the nine months, or approximately 266 days, of prenatal development, the zygote divides into billions of cells, which eventually become differentiated from one another while new systems and parts become integrated.

Never before has the importance of prenatal care for the developing child been so apparent. With increases in research and knowledge of what factors can affect the zygote, embryo, and fetus, the likelihood that such factors can have a negative impact on the well-being of the child and the mother is greatly decreased.

See also: BIRTH; PREGNANCY; PREMATURE INFANTS

Bibliography

Boyd, Susan. Mothers and Illicit Drugs: Transcending the Myths. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999.

"Pregnancy and Prenatal Care." In the Make Way for Baby [web site]. Pompano Beach, Florida, 2000. Available from http://www.2bparent.com/pregnancy.htm; INTERNET.

"Prenatal Development and Birth." In the George Mason University [web site]. Fairfax, Virginia, 2001. Available from http://classweb.gmu.edu/awinsler/ordp/prenatal.html; INTERNET.

Priest, Judy, and Kathy Attawell. Drugs in Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth. London: Thorsons Publications, 1998.

Neil J. Salkind

Prenatal Development - Ovum Or Germinal Stage

Prenatal Development - Embryo Stage

Prenatal Development - Fetal Stage

Prenatal Development - Prenatal Environmental Influences

Prenatal Development - Stress

Prenatal Development - Exercise

Preschool - History And Demographics, Program Differences, Impact Of The Preschool Experience, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Cultural Variations [next] [back] Prenatal Care - Increasing Access To Prenatal Care, Barriers To The Use Of Prenatal Care, The Relation Between Prenatal Care And Birth Outcomes

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