Fetal Development: Week-by-Week Stages of Pregnancy
Fetal development is an orderly and intricate process. It begins before you even know you’re pregnant and ends with the birth of your baby. Between conception and delivery, there are many detailed steps that have to occur. There are three stages of fetal development: germinal, embryonic and fetal.
Birth Defects: Types & Causes - Cleveland Clinic
Mar 15, 2023 · The second, or fetal stage, is the remainder of the pregnancy. This fetal period is a time of organ growth and the growth of the fetus in general. A developing fetus is most vulnerable to birth defects during the embryo stage when organs are developing.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
When someone has fetal alcohol syndrome, they’re at the most severe end of what are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FAS is a life-long condition that can’t be cured. This condition can be prevented if you don’t drink any alcohol during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Genetic Testing: What It Is, Options, Benefits & Risks
Cell-free fetal DNA testing (noninvasive prenatal screening or testing) checks your blood for fetal DNA. It looks for chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome, trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. Your provider can perform this screening as early as 10 weeks gestation, or later during pregnancy.
Teratogens: Effects, Types, Risks & Prevention - Cleveland Clinic
Oct 21, 2022 · A teratogen is a substance that interferes with normal fetal development and causes congenital disabilities. Drugs, alcohol, chemicals and toxic substances are examples of teratogens. Teratogens can also increase the risk for miscarriage, preterm labor or stillbirth.
Fetal Positions For Birth: Presentation, Types & Function
The ideal fetal position for labor is when the fetus is head down, facing your back, with its chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter your pelvis. This is called cephalic or occiput anterior presentation.
Fetal Pole: Ultrasound, Anatomy & Function - Cleveland Clinic
A fetal pole is an embryo, one of the first stages of pregnancy. During a healthy pregnancy, a fetal pole develops into a fetus, then a baby at birth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the results of your prenatal ultrasound and what they mean for your pregnancy.
Fetal Distress: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Aug 11, 2022 · Listening to the fetal heart rate and noting signs like decreased movement are ways to detect non-reassuring fetal status (fetal distress). Sometimes your baby may need to be delivered sooner to prevent serious complications.
Kick Counts (Fetal Movement Counting): Purpose & How To
Jul 19, 2022 · Counting kicks (fetal movement counting) in pregnancy is a way to monitor the fetus. It involves expectant parents tracking fetal kicks and movements during development in your uterus. Changes in movement patterns can sometimes indicate the fetus is under stress.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is when the fetal weight is estimated to be below the 10th percentile for its gestational age. Causes range from chronic diseases or infections in the birthing parent to issues with the placenta and umbilical cord.