The fetal period of development occurs during the third stage of prenatal development, which is the fetal stage.
The fetal period occurs during the third stage of prenatal development.
The fetal period.
Pregnancy
The fetal period begins at the end of the embryonic stage, specifically at the start of the ninth week of gestation. This period continues until birth and is characterized by significant growth and development of the fetus, including the maturation of organs and systems. The fetal period is crucial for the overall growth and preparation of the fetus for life outside the womb.
Fetal Development period. Whereas the first 8-9 weeks is embryonic development or embryogenesis.
The stages of development in the gestational process, in order from beginning to end, are: fertilization, implantation, embryonic period, fetal period, and childbirth.
The fetal mass increases at the greatest rate between weeks 9 to 14 of pregnancy. This period is known as the "growth spurt" stage of fetal development, where the baby's organs and body structures rapidly form and grow.
According to my college textbook, a critical period is an optimal period occurring in animals shortly after birth when certain events must take place to facilitate proper development.
During later months of fetal development and early infancy, the brain undergoes rapid growth and maturation, facilitated by critical processes such as neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Nutrients, particularly omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins, play a vital role in supporting this brain development. Additionally, sensory experiences and interactions with caregivers stimulate neural connections, laying the foundation for cognitive and emotional development. This period is crucial for establishing the brain's architecture and functional capabilities.
All stages of fetal development are important. The stages where the fetal development are most susceptible to developmental problems are the earliest ones. This is because the embryo starts out as one cell and then multiplies itself. This is the most crucial and vulnerable part of development because there are so few cells that any abnormality in the embryo's environment can lead to defects and even still birth.
A critical period refers to a specific time frame during development when an organism is particularly receptive to certain environmental stimuli or experiences, and if these are not encountered, normal development may be hindered. In contrast, a sensitive period indicates a phase where an organism is more responsive to certain stimuli, but development can still occur outside of this window, albeit less optimally. Essentially, critical periods imply a rigid timeframe for development, while sensitive periods allow for more flexibility.