The Main Effects Of Adverse Conditions

The foetus is affected by adverse conditions depending on their timing and the development stage of pregnancy. Since the various organ systems begin and end their prenatal development at different times, their sensitivity to the different factors, varies over time. The most vulnerable period for the brain is from 15 to 20 days, for the eyes from 24 to 40 days, for the heart from 20 to 40 days and for the legs from 24 to 36 days. Normally, the organism is less vulnerable before implantation and after the beginning of the foetal stage. Mishaps during the embryonic period, when the different organs are developing, could have drastic effects.

Parental conditions that can affect a child’s development are:

•           Maternal diseases and health
•           Drugs taken by the mother
•          Maternal diet
•          Maternal emotions
•          Maternal age

Since individual factors influence specific development processes they produce specific patterns of the developmental deviation. For example, German measle in the first trimester affects mainly the heart, eyes and brain. The physiological status of the mother, such as maternal nutrition, uterine conditions and hormonal balance will not only affect prenatal development but may intensify the adverse effects of the various drugs taken by the mother.

The Period Of Foetus – Two months to birth

The period of foetus is the third stage of prenatal development. It extends from the end of the second month to the time of birth, which normally occurs at the end of around 280 days. It is characterized chiefly by growth and development, as all the body parts and structures have already been established in the period of embryo. At the end of the third month, the foetus measures around ten inches and weight about 250 gram. By the end of the eighth lunar month it measures about 16 inches and weighs about 2 kg. At full term, that is, 280 days, the foetus measures about 19 inches and weighs 3 to 3.5 kg. However, there are large individual differences in these estimates. The estimate may vary on various accounts say for example, the mother is weak or mother takes less nutrition than she is supposed to, or her emotional status.