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Development Timeline
Prenatal & Neonatal Development


PRENATAL & NEONATAL DEVELOPMENT
Conception and Prenatal
Development
Birth
Neonatal Period
(0-2 Months)

GERMINAL STAGE

  • aligning of maternal and paternal chromosomes
  • genetic transmission of physical characteristics
  • sex determination
  • basic intelligence
  • basic personality and behavioral traits

    EMBRYONIC STAGE

  • development of nervous system and major organs
  • development of basic physical structures
  • cephalocaudal and proximodistal growth
  • serious teratogenic effects on growth and development

    FETAL STAGE

  • rapid growth in size and weight
  • rapid brain development
  • viability and preparation for birth
  • transfer of immunities from mother to child
  • labor and dilation of cervix

  • crowning and molding of baby's head

  • delivery of baby

  • delivery of placenta

  • Apgar testing of health status

  • cultural and social expectations for birth
  • adaptation to extrauterine environment

  • reflex responses

  • rapid brain development

  • short-term, context-bound memory

  • expression of basic emotions

  • states of arousal

  • ability to imitate

  • importance of caregiving



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