Prenatal Period/Stage

• Prenatal Period/Stage


  -          period of gestation/ pregnancy

  -          from conception to birth, approximately 9 months long

  -          divided into three periods
• period of ovum/germinal stage 


  -        starts from fertilization to two weeks
• period of embryo


  -          from the second week to eight weeks or two months

  -          all the important structures and features start to develop and to function
• period of the fetus 


  -        covers the eight weeks to birth and the structures that were formed during the period of the embryo continue to grow and develop

      -        increased fetal activity is observed like kicking and squirming
• Causes of Miscarriage

  -          malnutrition

  -          emotional stress

  -          emotional shock

  -          accidents

  -          drugs

  -          alcohol