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Preimplantation Period
Takes place during the first week of conception when a women’s ovum is penetrated by a man’s sperm during fertilization. -
Implantation
During the process of implantation, the zygote travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterine wall. While it is travelling it is undergoing mitosis or cleavage. -
Fertilization
The fertilization process results in the combination of chromosomes joining from both parents creating a new individual with 46 chromosomes. After fertilization, the zygote makes its way down the fallopian tubes to implant into the uterine wall. -
Second Week
Embryonic Period -
Major developments
During this period there are number of important developments to note. The three stages in the embryonic period are disc, embryo, and folded embryo. -
Major developments continued
The developmental process that occur in the embryonic period are induction, proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, and maturation.
This is also the time when there is rapid growth of major features like the head, eyes, mouth, limbs, development of digestive system, development of spinal cord, development of heart and brain. As the embryo grows, it will fold embryonic folding -
Eighth Week
End of embryonic period -
Fetal Period
At the ninth week or third month to the ninth month of development, we reach the fetal period. The baby is no longer an embryo but now a fetus until birth. -
Major Developments
This stage not only involves maturation, but also proliferation, differentiation and morphogenesis. These do not occur as dramatically as they do in the embryonic period. They are important in the fetal period because they allow the newly formed tissue types and organs to function. -
Ninth Week
Beginning of Fetal Period -
Ninth Month
End of Fetal Period. -
Neonatal Stage
Newborn stage once baby is born.