# data[].attributes.body
During differentiation, a cell in the body becomes specialized and takes on a specific shape and function. This is the cellular process in which, each cell has its own unique job to do. This is important because all the different parts of our body, like cells, tissues, and organs, come from these specialized cells. During this process, the primary three germ layers start to form.

Timeline of events:

This is the cellular process that enables a cell to develop to a particular shape and also provide different functions for other cells.

Differentiation is also the development of three primary germ layers that make up the important cells, tissues and organs that began to form.

Through differentiation the formation of separate organs and shapes. This begins  to form something more human.

Around the third week after implantation, a thick band of mesoderm cells develop behind the embryonic disk.

These cells start to form and what become what is called the “Notochord”

The nervous system begins to develop from the outer ectoderm.

# data[].attributes.body
Human development starts with Fertilization. During ovulation the egg cell (female gametes) is released from the Ovaries. In order for this egg to be developed further, the sperm cell has to fertilize the egg around 12 to 24 hours after it’s release. During sexual intercourse, the sperm cells (male gametes) are released and travel up to the vagina canal, cervix, uterus and then up to the Fallopian tube where the egg cell and sperm cell meet joining as one cell combining as one with each parent having a total of 23 chromosomes each are now joined. This is the start of fertilization and now the creation of a single cell and the first cell called the “Zygote.”

Timeline of events:

First day of the egg cell released, 24 Hours period to Fertilize the egg.

The start of human development. The millions of sperm cells reach the egg cell, and only one successfully fertilizes the egg, leading to a successful fertilization.

The combination of male gametes and female gametes (Sperm Cell and Egg Cell)

# data[].attributes.body
Week 28: Fetal development begins to be rapid within the Third trimester. Around this week, the baby's brain begins to grow rapidly and the Nervous system begins to develop enough to the point the baby has control on it's bodily functions. and the respiratory systems begin to be sufficient enough for air sacs to fill with air. The eyelashes of the baby has developed and the skin has become covered with vernix caseosa that acts like a protective film with waterproofing and anti-infective properties. Survival outside of the womb is expected to be 94%

# data[].attributes.body
In the third week of human development, gastrulation begins. The three main germ layers— the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm— are produced in the gastrulation process. Gastrulation is one of the most important developmental stages because it sets the stage for organogenesis. The gastrointestinal tract, the lining of the stomach, the liver, the pancreas, parts of the lungs, and glandular tissues all originate from the endoderm, which is the deepest layer. The musculoskeletal system, including its connective tissue, the circulatory system, the kidney, the internal sex organs, and the non-epidermal parts of the integumentary system are all products of the mesoderm. The exterior layer of the embryo is called the ectoderm, and it differentiates into two parts in a process called neurulation (a critical morphogenetic event that occurs at the fourth week of human gestation). The first is the surface of the ectoderm where it gives rise to the external ectoderm (epidermis, hair, and nails). The second is the neuroectoderm which forms the nervous system of the embryo as it divides further into the neural crest and neural tube. The lens of the eyes and the inner ear also develop.

A crucial role of gastrulation is also to establish a demarcation of body axes inside the developing embryo. The orientation of the primordial groove and the prechordal plate determine the cranial/caudal directionality. Dorsal/ventral axis establishment is determined by the layering of the epiblast and hypoblast. In specific organs, like the heart, gastrulation promotes the loss of bilateral symmetry and the preservation of global left and right symmetry.

Timeline of events:

Three weeks into Human Development, Gastrulation occurs

Consists of three germ layers, the ectoderm, the endoderm and the mesoderm

Sets off the stage for organogenesis

The gastrointestinal tract, the lining of the stomach, the liver, the pancreas, parts of the lungs, and glandular tissues all originate from the endoderm, which is the deepest layer.

The musculoskeletal system, including its connective tissue, the circulatory system, the kidney, the internal sex organs, and the non-epidermal parts of the integumentary system are all products of the mesoderm.

The first is the surface of the ectoderm where it gives rise to the external ectoderm (epidermis, hair, and nails). The second is the neuroectoderm which forms the nervous system of the embryo as it divides further into the neural crest and neural tube.

A crucial role of gastrulation is also to establish a demarcation of body axes inside the developing embryo.

# data[].attributes.body
Cleavage is the division of cells during the early development of a Zygote after Fertilization. This process starts after the egg is fertilized and moves through the fallopian tube until it enters the Uterus. In about 30 hours, the rapid division of cells through mitosis happens. It starts from the cells dividing by two cells, to four cells, and eventually when the Zygote forms a sphere of 16 cells, it is then called the Morula. The Morula reaches the Uterus 3-5 days after Fertilization, which then forms two different cell masses called the Blastocyst with an other outer layer called the Trophoblast.

Timeline of events:

Starts a day after Fertilization

The now fertilized egg moves through the fallopian tube takes several days until it enters the uterus

Around 30 hours, the Zygote divides by mitosis and the division of cells grows quickly. The process of the cell division happens and is called Cleavage

Around this time, the Zygote is a the sphere with about 16 cells and is called the Morula

The Morula begins to form two different cell masses called the Blastocyst and the outer layer called Trophoblast.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 1 & 2: The first week of pregnancy starts with menstruation, at this time this is the endometrium shedding to start a new cycle. Around the end of the second week and after menstruation has ended, Ovulation occurs. This is when the ovaries release a mature egg. The egg travels through fallopian tube, where it may be fertilized by sperm cells.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 3: Once the egg is fertilized, the egg now called Zygote starts traveling to the uterus. By the process of Cleavage, the Zygote begins to go through rapid cell division and ultimately becoming the Morula and than splitting into two cell groups called the Blastocyst and the Trophoblast. The Blastocyst attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. As it attaches, it may cause some light bleeding and cramping due to the breaking of blood vessels in the uterine wall.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 4: After the blastocyst has attached itself, after fertilization and cleavage, the Endometrium becomes thick with blood to prepare for supporting a baby. The blastocyst attaches firmly to the uterus wall and gets nourishment from the mother’s blood. At this point, the majority of pregnancy tests would indicate a positive result.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 5: Around week 5, the “embryonic period” begins, and this is when the differentiation occurs. It is when the cells of the embryo multiply and begin to specialize in specific functions. The baby’s nervous system starts to develop. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and heart. As the embryo grows faster, the baby’s external features starts to take shape. By the end of the week, the heart will be pumping blood.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 6 & 7: At this week, the baby is as small as a sweet pea. The baby’s limb buds start to form, which will grow into arms and legs. The facial features become more defined. On the baby’s chest area has a big bulge where the heart is growing, and up at the top of the body, there is a little bump that will turn into the baby’s brain and head. The tissue is forming to create the spine and other bones. The heart is also growing and beating in a regular rhythm, which can be seen through vaginal ultrasound.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 8: By this stage, the baby is called fetus. The baby’s facial features are developing more distinctly. The fetus is still inside the amniotic sac, while the placenta is still developing to create structures that help it attach to the wall of the womb. The lungs  are beginning to take shape and form.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 9: During the 9th week, the heart is beating steadily beating at about 170 beats per minute, and the limbs are becoming more defined with tiny fingers and toes .The heart of the fetus starts beating faster in order for the fetus to learn how to regulate its heartbeat. The fetus’s face is also starting to take shape with bigger and more noticeable eyes, a mouth, and a tongue with tiny taste buds. The major organs are also continuing to develop including the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and gut. The nipples and hair follicles form and most of all the baby’s essential organs have begun to grow. The average size of an embryo at week 9 is 0.9 inches (2.3 cm) long.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 10: On the 10th week, the baby’s facial structure begins to define such as the baby's eyelids are more developed and begin to close, the outer ears start to shape and the baby’s facial features appear to be more distinct. The baby’s intestine rotates and the fetal heart tones may be detectable by Doppler testing. The embryo tail begins to disappear for that being it is now called a fetus, the stage of development up until birth. Fingerprints are established and bone cells are replacing cartilage. The average size of the fetus at week 10 is 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) long and weighs 1.2 ounces (35 grams).

# data[].attributes.body
Week 11: At this stage, the fetus is found to have breathing movements in the mouth (open and shallow). The average size of the fetus at week 11 is 1.6 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 1.6 ounces (45 grams).

# data[].attributes.body
Week 12: On the 12th week, the foetus is fully formed. Everything is where it should be in the baby’s body including the organs, muscles, limbs and bones.Tthe reproductive organs have also fully developed. The baby’s liver is making red blood cells while the pancreas is beginning to make insulin. The baby is also starting to move randomly.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 13: At this stage, their organs, muscles, limbs, and bones continue to mature to survive out of the womb. The baby’s vocal cords are also forming. The baby’s head is also becoming more proportional to the rest of the body. Around the 13-week mark, the typical baby measures approximately 2.6 inches (6.7 cm) in length and weighs about 2.6 ounces (73 grams).

# data[].attributes.body
Week 14: On the 14th week, the baby is as big as a peach. The baby starts wiggling their toes and maybe even sucking their thumb. Tooth buds starts to form for their baby teeth. Their kidneys are starting to produce urine because of the swallowed fluid of amniotic. Additionally, they are growing a soft hair called laguno, which helps keep their body warm.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 15: During this stage, the baby is about the size of a novel orange, measuring around (6.6 inches) in length and weighing approximately (4.1 ounces). The baby continues to grow and develop including their bones which are becoming harder. As their lungs develop, the baby might even be hiccuping inside. The baby’s liver and pancreas are also starting to produce secretions.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 16 & 17: Hearing starts to develop in the fetus, and the average size and weight of the fetus is around (18.6) cm long and about (146) grams. This week is also when development of the lungs start in the fetus and will go on until around the 25th week. In this time as well, pseudoglandular stage of lung development ends on the 17th week. It is important to note that alveoli still have not developed in the fetus thus respiration in the fetus has not happened yet.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 18: At this stage, The ears of the baby are fully completed in the fetal stage. The highlight of this week is that the mother can finally get checked up and take ultrasound. The average fetus size at week 18 is 8.7 inches (22.2 cm)  long and weighs 7.9 ounces (223 grams).

# data[].attributes.body
Week 19-21: The fetus is now able to hear, and the Mother starts to notice some slight movements in the abdomen. The movement described is like a fluttering sensation for the mother, which marks the period of the baby’s first movements. The baby in these week is more active and moves around the womb with more control. And by the end of this week, the baby can start to swallow. In week 19, the ears nose and lips become more recognizable and in week 20, the fetus starts to begin to be covered in some fine hair. Overall, the fetus can also able to suck and grasp as the mother may now start to feel Braxton Hicks Contractions.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 22: Lanugo hair covers the baby’s entire body. Meconium— the dark green substance forming the faeces of an infant— is made in the intestinal tract. Eyelashes and eyebrows appear. As the baby becomes more active with the increased muscle development, the mother can feel the baby moving. The heartbeat of the baby is strong enough to be heard using a stethoscope. Nails grows on the baby’s fingers

# data[].attributes.body
Week 23: The fetus is having rapid eye movements (REM) during sleep. The entire corpus callosum can’t be seen using transabdominal ultrasound before this age

# data[].attributes.body
Week 24: The terminal saccular stage of lung development has started

# data[].attributes.body
Week 25: In terms of height and weight, the baby is 13.3 inches and 1.7 pounds respectively. Bone marrow begins to make blood cells. The lower airways of the baby’s lungs develop. The baby starts to store fat.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 26: At this stage, a fetus hearing is enough to interpret sounds that ooccur in the mother’s surroundings and respond to it. The eyelids can shut and open. During this stage, the survival rate of the baby is expected to be approximately 87%

# data[].attributes.body
Week 29: During this week, the baby’s brain is developing. They are also gaining more body fat, which helps regulate their body temperature. The baby measures 15.2 inches in length and weighs 2.5 pounds. The baby is making a lot of movements that can be felt by the mother.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 30: By the 30th week, the baby’s bones are getting stronger and their muscles are developing further. They are also practicing their breathing movements, even though they are still getting oxygen from the umbilical cord. Their head is covered with a good amount of hair, and their eyes are wide-open, which helps them to see everything around them.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 31: At this stage, the baby measures 16.2 inches in length and weighs 3.3 pounds. The baby grows really fast and gains a lot of fat, which provides insulation to keep them warm. They are forming more connections between nerve cells, which will continue to strengthen their nervous system.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 32-34: During the 32nd to 34th week, the baby’s senses continue to develop including their hearing, which becomes more refined. Additionally, their bones are hardening, providing more support and protection. The baby’s body also starts to store important minerals like iron, calcium, and phosphorus. The cephalic presentation occurs, which is most babies are typically positioned with their head pointing downwards in preparation for birth.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 35-37: The baby is starting to weigh about 5 pounds, as the baby starts to gain more weight it will start staying the same length. The skin in the baby starts to develop fat under the skin and thus not getting to much wrinkles. And at this stage in the pregnancy, the baby starts to have defined sleeping patterns. In this week as well, the blood vessels and heart have been deemed complete and finally the bones and muscles of the baby have also developed.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 38 & 39: The fetus is now considered full term in the trimester. The baby could be born from a week from now or two weeks from now. At this stage the baby could weigh about 7 pounds.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 40 & 41: In this stage the fetus is now ready to be giving birth to. On the 41 week the fetus is now 20.4 inches and on average could be around 8 pounds. The fingernails may be longer and the presence of small breast buds might be present in both sexes. Hair is also thicker and now visible and the possibility of the baby being born after about 38 weeks since conception could be any day in this week.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The foundation of the human body is laid by the process of gastrulation, which allocates cell fates and spatial coordinates to epiblast cells.

# data[].attributes.body
Week 27: At this stage, the baby is as big as a lettuce. It measures approximately 14.4 inches in length and weighs about 1.9 pounds. The baby continues to develop and grow rapidly. The baby’s nervous system has reached a stage where it can begin to regulate and control various bodily function. With their rapidly developing lungs, the baby is practicing inhaling and exhaling.

# data[].attributes.body
Lactation is the start of the secretion and formation of milk in the breast. The process of Lactation starts as early in the second trimester of Pregnancy about 16 to 22 weeks in. With the increase of estrogen and progesterone levels rising during pregnancy, the body starts to prepare for lactation by increasing the milk ducts in the breast. The milk ducts are used to transport milk from the alveoli to the nipples to help with secreting milk to the baby. The first kind of milk the breast start to secrete is Colostrum that is almost similar to milk but contains more protein and less fat. Colostrum has a thick and yellow consistency, and contains antibodies and helps in providing the baby with protection from infectious agents. The key hormone to milk production is Prolactin, during the early stage of the pregnancy. But due to the high levels of Estrogen and Progesterone, this in turn suppress the production of Prolactin. After delivery, pregnancy hormones drop and Prolactin starts to secrete once more.

Timeline of events:

Lactation starts around the second trimester of Pregnancy around the 16 week to 22 week.

Lactation in the breast is based on the Hormone production.

Prolactin controls the amount milk produced during earlier on in the pregnancy

High levels of Estrogen and Progesterone suppress the production of Prolactin.

After Delivery, a sharp drop of these hormones happen leading Prolactin to take charge during milk production.

# data[].attributes.body
Teratogen is an agent or factor that is defined based on its ability to affect the development of the embryo. Exposure to teratogen can lead to complications in pregnancy, ranging from minor function defects to major morphological abnormalities such as: neural defects, low birth weight, mental disorders, congenital heart defects and malformation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
What are the 6 key Hormones in Pregnancy?

# data[].attributes.body
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - following implantation, the placenta produces hCG. It helps the corpus luteum, a transitory organ in the ovaries that is crucial to the process of early pregnancy, to operate. It is also the hormone that pregnancy tests look for. This hormone increases until the maximum concentration is reached, then it decreases for the remainder of the pregnancy

Progesterone - aids in placenta establishment. It promotes the development of blood arteries that supply the womb and prevents the uterus from contracting, allowing it to expand along with the growing baby. Additionally, progesterone prepares the pelvic wall muscles for labor. The corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until the second trimester, when its production is taken over by the placenta

Estrogen - the development of the fetal organs and the maintenance of the uterine lining are all aided by estrogen. It stimulates and controls the synthesis of other hormones. Estrogen promotes the formation of breast tissue and milk ducts in conjunction with progesterone. The placenta takes over estrogen production from the corpus luteum by the end of the first trimester

Prolactin - the primary hormone required for breast milk production is prolactin. It helps the mammary glands grow larger and gets them ready to produce milk. During pregnancy, progesterone inhibits lactation. High levels of prolactin prompt the following symptoms to appear on the body: low libido, milk production, got flashes, vaginal dryness, and breast tenderness.

Oxytocin - as labor begins, uterine muscular contractions are triggered by an increase in oxytocin levels. Prostaglandins are produced in response by the uterine cells, which intensifies contractions. It is possible to induce labor with oxytocin if it does not begin spontaneously. Though, the drug administered to induce or aid labor is a synthetic form of oxytocin called Pitocin- also known as the “cuddle” hormone

Relaxin - is a substance used to avoid premature birth as it reduces contraction of the uterus. It causes blood arteries to relax, which increases blood flow to the kidneys and placenta. This enables the pregnant woman to handle increased blood volume from pregnancy without their blood pressure going through the roof. During childbirth, it lengthens and softens the cervix and eases the pelvic joints

# data[].attributes.body
Thalidomide is a prescription drug used in the mid 20th century that treated “morning sickness” during pregnancy that resulted in severe birth defects. Rodents being thalidomide resistant, led to misinterpretations of animal testing and to the fatal assumption of thalidomide being safe for pregnancy. The assumption became one of the biggest scandals in medical history, as it caused birth defects in 10,000 or more infants. Following multiple tragic events, it became apparent that the drug Thalidomide caused birth defects. Thus, new legislations regarding drug control was imposed and Thalidomide was withdrawn from the market. Though, thalidomide still has its place in modern medicine for its therapeutic potential. The drug has been FDA approved for multiple diseases. Thalidomide is only available through a controlled distribution program and is strictly contraindicated for women that are pregnant and about to be pregnant.

Symptoms:

Birth defects in newborns including undeveloped limbs

Sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy

Somnolence

Rash

Fatigue

Constipation

# data[].attributes.body
Fetal Development which occurs during the ninth week and lasts until birth, the fetus will look evidently human as the fetal development is a phase in pregnancy that refines the existing structures that develop during the embryonic development. Growth of the body accelerates and of the head slows. The cartilage-based skeleton begins to harden, as with the development of the bone. It is also during this time when the embryo is assigned its sex, although undetectable. By the end of twelfth week the external reproductive organs of the embryo is distinguishable as male or female. At the fourth month, a fetus’s heartbeat is strong enough to hear using a stethoscope. Major organs such as the brain and skeleton begin to grow and mature  rapidly. Fetal legs grow and develop, which may cause movement in the womb. During the fifth month, the fetus becomes covered with hair called lanugo (from a Latin word that means “wool”). It is usually shed before birth. The fetus is also covered with an oily substance called the vernix caseosa that protects the developing skin against the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby until they are born. In the sixth month, the skin has very little fat beneath it, thus it appears wrinkled. The skin visibly looks more pink as blood-filled capillaries extend to it. Labor at this stage makes the survival rate of the fetus low. The child certainly will not survive without medical intervention. In the final weeks (Weeks 25 to 38) of a typical pregnancy, brain cells form rapidly forming intricate networks. The testes if males descend into the scrotum. A layer of fat forms underneath the skin. Most internal systems are well-developed, but the digestive and respiratory systems are last to mature. During the final four weeks of pregnancy the fetus continues to grow and is mostly about putting in the final touches of growth and brain development of the fetus. The last week of pregnancy is when labor can happen at any time.

Timeline of Events:

Fetal Development which occurs during the ninth week and lasts until birth

Growth of the body accelerates and of the head slows.

During this time when the embryo is assigned its sex, although undetectable.

By the end of twelfth week the external reproductive organs of the embryo is distinguishable as male or female

At the fourth month, a fetus’s heartbeat is strong enough to hear using a stethoscope

In the final weeks (Weeks 25 to 38) of a typical pregnancy, brain cells form rapidly forming intricate networks.

# data[].attributes.body
Embryonic development is a complex process by which a fertilized egg becomes an embryo which is known as embryogenesis. The conceptus changes from a single-celled zygote to a multilayered, multidimensional fetus with primitively functional organs during the first eight weeks of development. Cell signaling, proliferation, and differentiation are critical for the first eight weeks of development because they enable ongoing growth and increased intra-embryonic complexity. The human embryo's growth is broken down into developmental events each week due to the complexity involved. A significant portion of the germinal stage of development, which lasts from fertilization to uterine implantation, occurs during week 1. Gamete approximation, contact and fusing of gametes, fertilization, mitotic cleavage of the blastomere, creation of morula, blastocyst formation, and blastocyst implantation are significant processes that take place during the first week of human embryonic development. Tissues and organs form, as well as the structures that support and nourish the embryo.

Timeline of events:

When a fertilized egg from the combination of an egg cell and sperm cell become complex as development of the fertilized egg becomes more complex

The fertilized egg becomes an embryo in humans is known as embryogenesis.

The change from a single-celled zygote to a multilayered, multidimensional fetus with primitively functional organs during the first eight weeks of development

The human embryo's growth is broken down into developmental events each week due to the complexity involved

The creation of morula, blastocyst formation, and blastocyst implantation are significant processes that take place during the first week of human embryonic development.

# data[].attributes.body
Around 3 days after Fertilization, the Blastocyst is what occurs after the division of cells during Cleavage. The Blastocyst becomes a cluster after being formed by the divided cells from the fertilized egg. This is a step closer for the new embryo. When the Morula is about to reach the Uterus, it begins diffusing fluid from the uterus forming two different groups of cells. The inner group of cells in the Blastocyst is what will become of the embryo and the outer group also known as the Trophoblast will nourish the cells and protect it. The Trophoblast will soon develop the membrane called the Chorion which will later develop into the placenta.

Timeline of Events:

The Morula reaches the Uterus and then diffuses fluid from the Uterus

Occurs after Cleavage and rapid cell division

The formation of two different cell groups called the Blatocyst and Trophoblast

The inner cell mass in the Blatocyst is what becomes of the embryo

The Trophoblast is the outer layer of the Blastocyst acts to protect and nourish the cells.

# data[].attributes.body
In Implantation, the inner group of cells within the Blastocyst becomes the embryo. The process of Implantation occurs after the division of cells during Cleavage. Around the 5th to 7th day after fertilization, the early Blastocyst is now finally at it’s destination ready to implant on the Endometrium. Once the inner cell mass of the Blastocyst is successfully implanted on the Endometrium, the Trophoblast starts to secrete enzymes that use this to digest the tissues and blood vessels of the endometrium. Once this is complete, the Blastocyst sinks into the Uterine wall and now has completed Implantation. It is said that a woman is finally pregnant. The Trophoblast during this time starts secreting (hCG) the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone having the same effects as the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in maintaining the Corpus Luteum. Estrogen, Progesterone start secreting in maintaining the endometrium and to prevent menstruation, while the secretion of hCG is high until about two months than declines by the end of the fourth month.

Timeline of Events:

The process of Implantation occurs after Cleavage. This is when the combined gametes— Morula now Blastocyst, travels  to the uterus where it implants itself to the endometrium.

This occurs after three to four days after Fertilization. Between the 5th and 7th day of fertilization, the Blastocyst attaches to the endometrium.

The Blastocyst, after being implanted on the endometrium, the trophoblast cells begin secreting enzymes that breakdown and digest tissue and blood vessels of the endometrium.

The Blastocyst sinks into the uterine wall and implantation is completed by the tenth and fourteenth day.

With implantation successful, a woman is told they are pregnant

# data[].attributes.body
Parturition also known as Labour is the birthing process of the now baby. Parturition starts with uterine contractions, and these contractions happen throughout the whole pregnancy. Around the end of pregnancy, contractions begin to become more frequent and the start of labor is marked by contractions that start every 15 to 20 minutes. With the start of labor a positive feedback loop could be charted on how the posterior pituitary glands signals the hormone Oxytocin to stimulate the uterine muscles in order for contractions to happen. This includes the and cervix to stretch in labor as well. During Parturition, the cervix has to be able to dilate and there are two phases that are important in order for the Cervix to fully dilate.

The Latent Phase (cervix is dilated from 0-4 cm wide)

Active Phase (cervix is dilated 4 to 10 cm wide)

These phases are present in whether a woman had given birth previously or is new to giving birth. In the Latent Phase, labor could take up to 6 hours or more in order to ensure the woman is able to dilate her cervix wide enough to give birth. With this in mind, the hormone Oxytocin starts simulating the uterine muscles to be able to have the uterine contractions by the actions of the prostaglandins. The uterine contractions help in pushing the baby downwards as the cervix opens up. This repeats in order for the Baby to finally be birthed. Parturition is one of the many types of way a woman could give birth. As at Home Births, Water Births, or C-section are still options for a woman to go through when giving birth due to circumstances like a small pelvis or the cervix is unable to expand.

# data[].attributes.body
Morphogenesis is the process of when cells begin to organize itself in creating structures, organs and systems present in the embryo. Morphogenesis depends on these early embryonic fells in becoming  different types of cells. This also involves in how Morphogenesis can allow the cell to move to another location within that developing tissue. The embryo during Morphogenesis begins to gradually form the tissues and organs as well.

Timeline of events:

The series of events that form distinct structures of the developing organism.

Now becoming more recognizable and features start to become present.

The cells undergo different kinds of cell shapes.

Depends on the ability of embryonic cells to become different types of cells.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
What are the Extra Embryonic Membranes, and what do they develop into?

# data[].attributes.body
The Extra Embryonic Membranes are the four membranes that are responsible for the development for an embryo by nourishing it and protecting it during Gestation. Around the 3rd and 4th week of the embryo’s development, internal organs and systems begin to form in the embryo. The Extra-Embryonic membranes develop alongside the placenta and umbilical cord, responsible for protection, nutrition, respiration and excretion for the embryo. The Extra-Embryonic membranes, or the structures in embryo go as follow;

The Amnion is a transparent sac that develops the embryonic disk and also grows close to the embryo. The amnion becomes filled with amniotic fluid and allows movement for the embryo but also to keep the limbs from sticking to the body.

The Yolk Sac is a sac suspended from the abdominal area. This sac contributes to the eventual formation of the digestive tract, and is responsible for the future blood cells, egg cells and sperm cells of the embryo. It is important to note that the Yolk Sac is not responsible for any nutritional function.

The Allantois forms the foundation of the umbilical cord of the embryo. Around the 2nd month, the  Allantois degenerates and now becomes part of the urinary bladder.

The Chorion is what later becomes the placenta and what forms the fetal portion of the embryo . It’s the most outer layer membrane and encloses the extra-embryonic membranes including the embryo