Prenatal Development

PRE-EMBRYONIC PERIOD

Cell Division Stage

The first two weeks after conception is called the preembryonic period. By the fourth day after conception takes place, the fertilized ovum is now called zygote. This structure is the one that enters to the uterus. The zygote undergoes cell division that divides into 2, then 4 then 8 cells and so on. The cells become tightly compacted with each division until the 16-cell stage where they occupy the same amount of space as the original zygote. When 12-16 cells are present, the zygote is then called the morula.

The outer cells of the morula (termed as morula because it resembles a mulberry) secrete fluid which forms a balstocyst. A blastocyst is a sac of cells within an inner cell mass placed off within the sac. The inner cell mass develops into the fetus. The outer cell layer develops as the placenta and the fetal membranes.

Zygote Entering the Uterus Period

When the blastocyst contains 100 cells it now enters the uterus. However, implantation does not take place immediately as the blastocyst lingers in the uterus for another 2 to 4 days. During this period, the endometrium is now termed as decidua. The endometrial glands are secreting at their maximum at this time. This is to provide rich fluids to nourish the conceptus before placental circulation is established.

Implantation

Implantation, also called nidation, is the gradual process that occurs between the sixth and the tenth day after conception takes place. During this lengthy process, the embryonic structures continue to develop.

Maintaining the Decidua

Successful implantation and survival of the conceptus would be possible when a continuing supply of estrogen and progesterone is present. To signal the woman’s body that pregnancy has begun, the zygote secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The production of hCG by the conception results to the continuous and persistent secretion of estrogen and progesterone by the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over this function at about 8 weeks age of gestation (AOG).

Implantation Location

The best area for implantation and placental development is the upper portion of the uterus. Normal implantation occurs in the upper part of the uterus, more often on the posterior wall than the anterior wall. There are three reasons why the site is ideal:

• The upper portion of the uterus is supplied with blood for optimal fetal gas exchange and nutrition
• The uterine lining is thick in this area which is helpful in preventing the placenta from attaching too deeply into the uterine muscle and facilitating easy expulsion of the placenta after full-term birth.
• When implantation takes place in this area, blood loss is limited because interlacing muscle fibers in this area compress open endometrial vessels after the placenta detaches.