After an egg is released from an ovary and is fertilized, it travels slowly through the fallopian tube to the uterus. During this time it begins to divide until it has grown to about 100 cells.
The egg, now called a blastocyst, then implants in the tissue lining the wall of the uterus. The uterus will then house and protect the developing fetus for 38 weeks, or approximately 9 months.
- The moment of conception. The pronuclei fuse.
- This followed by the first division of the egg cell.
- After several more divisions, the new embryo forms the Blastula...
- ... a hollow ball of cells.
- By six weeks, the embryo has a heart, eyes, a nervous system and limb buds.
- Attached to embryo is the Yolk sac which will nourish it until the placenta is fully developed.
- The Yolk sac is still present at eight weeks. The embryo now has fingers, toes and a face.
- By twelve weeks yhe Yolk sac has gone and the embryo is beginning to make rudimentary movements.
- At six months the foetus is now almost fully developed. It simply needs to grow in the safety of the mother's womb.
- Movements are now strong.
- By nine months the foetus is ready to be born.
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