*Mommy/Daddy Project*

The Development of the Embryo from Conception to 4 Weeks Gestation.

Week 1/2! Conception

Mommy: It may seem strange, but you're not actually pregnant the first week or two of the time allotted to your pregnancy.Conception typically occurs about two weeks after your period begins. To calculate your due date, your health care provider will count ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last period. This means your period is counted as part of your pregnancy — even though you weren't pregnant at the time.

Daddy: You don't know your wife/fiance/girlfriend/one-night-stand is pregnant yet.

Week 3! Fertilization

Mommy: The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized, you may have multiple zygotes.
The zygote has 46 chromosomes — 23 from you and 23 from your partner. These chromosomes will help determine your baby's sex, traits such as eye and hair color, and, to some extent, personality and intelligence.
Soon after fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. At the same time, it will begin dividing rapidly to form a cluster of cells resembling a tiny raspberry. The inner group of cells will become the embryo. The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it.
Daddy: you're still clueless.

Week 4! :Implantation

Mommy: When the zygote — now known as a blastocyst — reaches your uterus, it will burrow into the uterine wall for nourishment. The placenta, which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy, also begins to form. By the end of this week, you may be celebrating a positive pregnancy test.

Daddy: If its your wife, celebrate! If its your fiance, start planing the wedding!, if its your girlfriend, maybe you start thinking about your future! If it was your one-night-stand, someone should have used a condom...

MOM

What should you be thinking about? What changes are going on?

You should be thinking about how you need to change your lifestyle to be the healthiest you can be for your baby. You also need to keep your strell levels down as much as possible. Your body is going though many phisical changes, mostly internal. Keep yourself in a happy enviorment, avoid dangerious situations. Ask your doctor any questions you may have and enjoy life as much as possible.

DAD

What should you be thinking about? What changes are going on?

Try and stay calm around your partner. Try not to but them in a stressful situation and try to avoid them yourself. Start concidering financial situations for your soon to be family and make sure you keep your partner on board. Keep in mind that their body is always changing and they are going through a lot. Be as helful as you can be, and dant be hesitant tpo ask a friend or neighbor for help every once and a while. enjoy your time you have before you become a father.

Mommy/Daddy BLOG* day2

The Development of Your Baby from 4 - 8 Weeks Gestation.

Week 5: The embryonic period begins

The fifth week of pregnancy, or the third week after conception, marks the beginning of the embryonic period. This is when the baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs begin to form.

The embryo is now made of three layers. The top layer — the ectoderm — will give rise to your baby's outermost layer of skin, central and peripheral nervous systems, eyes, inner ear, and many connective tissues.

Your baby's heart and a primitive circulatory system will form in the middle layer of cells — the mesoderm. This layer of cells will also serve as the foundation for your baby's bones, muscles, kidneys and much of the reproductive system. The inner layer of cells — the endoderm — will become a simple tube lined with mucous membranes. Your baby's lungs, intestines and bladder will develop here.

By the end of this week, your baby is likely between 1/16 and 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3 millimeters) long — about the size of the tip of a pen.

Week 6: The neural tube closes

Growth is rapid this week. Just four weeks after conception, the neural tube along your baby's back is closing and your baby's heart is pumping blood. Basic facial features will begin to appear, including passageways that will make up the inner ear and arches that will contribute to the jaw. Your baby's body begins to take on a c-shaped curvature. Small buds will soon become arms and legs. By the end of this week, your baby may be 1/6 to 1/4 inch (4 to 6 millimeters) long.

Week 7: Baby's head develops

Seven weeks into your pregnancy, or five weeks after conception, your baby's brain and face are rapidly developing. Tiny nostrils become visible, and the eye lenses begin to form. The arm buds that sprouted last week now take on the shape of paddles.

By the end of this week your baby may be 1/4 to 1/3 inch (7 to 9 millimeters) long — a little bigger than the top of a pencil eraser.

Week 8: Movement begins

Eight weeks into your pregnancy, or six weeks after conception, your baby's arms and legs are growing longer, and fingers have begun to form. The shell-shaped parts of your baby's ears also are forming, and your baby's eyes and nipples are visible. The upper lip and nose have formed. The trunk of your baby's body is beginning to straighten.

Your baby may begin to move this week, but you won't be able to feel it yet.

By the end of this week, your baby may be about 1/2 inch (11 to 14 millimeters) long.

How is Mom's Body Changing?

At 9 weeks pregnant, your body continues to change to protect and nourish your developing baby. That means that pregnancy symptoms still might be in full force. Take a look at some of the changes happening during your 9th week of pregnancy:

• Hormone production increases
• Some symptoms include nausea, vomiting, breast soreness, increased urination, insomnia, and vivid dreaming.
• Your heart pumps harder and faster, which can cause fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
• Increased estrogen and progesterone stimulate the growth of your breasts and milk glands. The skin around your nipples may enlarge and darken. Breast soreness and fullness is normal.
• Your body shape begins to change, which also can cause you to change how you feel about your body. Remember that body changes and healthy weight gain are important but temporary aspects of pregnancy. Take the steps you need to maintain a positive body image by exercising and eating well. Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel and look good. Don't worry if you are not showing just yet — it might take a few more weeks.

What are Your Chances of having Multiples?

• chance of having conjoined twins: 1 in 50-80,000
• chance of having 'natural' triplets: 1 in 8,100 (only about 30% of triplets are 'natural')
• chance of having 'natural' quads: 1 in 729,000 (only about 6% of quads are 'natural')
• chance of having 'natural' quints: 1 in 55,000,000 m

                                                             ^ http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/twins/twin_statistics.html

 Doctors or Midwifes?

Obstetricians are by far the most common choice in the United States, although certified nurse-midwives are becoming more popular. Some women choose practices that have both ob-gyns and midwives. And others opt for a family physician. (Not all family physicians continue to do obstetrics after their training, though, so you'll have to ask.) The most important thing is to choose someone you feel completely comfortable with, who's appropriate for your individual needs, who'll respect your wishes, and who practices in the right setting for you.

Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

1. Eat five or six well-balanced meals each day.
2. Take a prenatal vitamin each day as directed by your obstetrician.
3. Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight to ten glasses a day, avoiding caffeine and artificial coloring.
4. Don't drink alcohol.
5. Don't smoke or allow yourself to be exposed to second-hand smoke.
6. Exercise--it's important for your general health, and also to reduce stress. Take a pregnancy exercise class or walk at least 15 to 20 minutes every day at a moderate pace. Walk in cool, shaded areas or indoors in order to prevent overheating.
7. Get A lot of sleep--at least eight hours a night. If you're suffering from sleep disturbances, take naps during the day and see your physician for advice.
8. Wear comfortable, non-restricting shoes and put your feet up several times a day to prevent fatigue and swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles.
9. Continue to wear a safety belt while riding in motor vehicles.
10. Don't take over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies without first consulting your obstetrician.

 

Development of Fetus

Mommy/Daddy BLOG* day3

IT'S A BOY!!!

YA! My partner and I are so excited! We were debating if we should find out the sex of the baby or not, but we decided to because it would be easier to plan out the baby's room and outfits. Knowing that we're having a boy, we finally knew what names to look at. After finding out the sex of the baby I didnt have any new fears, but the original fears still lingered.

Did you have a miscarriage? Did it turn out that you were not pregnant in the first place?

Im sorry for your loss. This  can be a really difficult thing to go through if you were trying really hard to have a baby. If you did have a miscarriage, everyones body treats it differently so be sure to go see a doctor, don't panic unless you know exactly whats going on. A miscarriage may be noticed by spotting/bleeding, cramps, continuous back pains, ect.

Mommy/Daddy BLOG* day3.5

What is cell differentiation?

Cell differentiation is the process in which young cells become specialized and take on individual characteristics. They begin to form their functions.

Gastrulation is a phase early in the embryonic development of most animals, during which the single-layered blastula is reorganized into a trilaminar ("three-layered") structure known as the gastrula. These three germ layers are known as the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm

Steps of Gastrulation

Steps of Gastrulation*

Step 1 : the blastula rearranges, with sheets of blastometer from the outside of the embryo entering the embryo's interior.

Step 2 : cells move into contact with new cells, allowing unique intercellular communications that lead to cell determination and differentation.

Step 3: then, tsubsequently become columnar. It forms the epithelial lining of multiple systems.he 3 embryonic germ layers take their position in the embryo.

What are the 3 germ layers, and what systems do they form?

1. The ectoderm is the outer layer of the early embryo. It emerges first and forms from the outer layer of germ cells.

Generally speaking, the ectoderm differentiates to form the nervous system (spine, peripheral nerves and brain)^[, tooth enamel and the epidermis (the outer part of integument). It also forms the lining of mouth, anus, nostrils, sweat glands, hair and nails.

2.The Endoderm, (sometimes called Entoderm) is one of the germ layers formed during animal embryogenesis. Cells migrating inward along the archenteron form the inner layer of the gastrula, which develops into the endoderm.The endoderm consists at first of flattened cells.

3. In humans, the mesoderm is one of the three primary germ cell layers in the very early embryo. The mesoderm differentiates from the rest of the embryo through intercellular signaling, after which the mesoderm is polarized by an organizing center. It differentiates to give rise to a number of tissues and structures including bone, cartilage, muscle, connective tissue (including that of the dermis), blood vascular, reproductive, excretory and urinogenital systems and contributes to some glands. Some cells in mesodermal tissues retain the capacity to differentiate in diverse directions. For example, some cells in the bone marrow (mesoderm) can become liver (endoderm).

Mommy/Daddy BLOG* day4

Today I learned I have Preeclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition in which hypertension arises in pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension) in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine.

Pre-eclampsia refers to a set of symptoms rather than any causative factor, and there are many different causes for the condition. It appears likely that there are substances from the placenta that can cause endothelial dysfunction in the maternal blood vessels of susceptible women. While blood pressure elevation is the most visible sign of the disease, it involves generalized damage to the maternal endothelium, kidneys, and liver, with the release of vasoconstrictive factors being secondary to the original damage. If you develop high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy but don't have protein in your urine, you're considered to have gestational hypertension (also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension).If protein is later found in your urine, your diagnosis changes to preeclampsia. This happens in about a quarter of the cases of women who are initially diagnosed with gestational hypertension. Most likely, your blood pressure will return to a normal level after you have your baby. If your blood pressure is still high three months after you give birth, you'll be diagnosed with chronic hypertension. If this is the case, it doesn't mean that gestational hypertension caused you to develop chronic hypertension. Instead, you probably had chronic hypertension all along and just didn't know it.

Pre-eclampsia is dangerous for the mother but is equally problematic for the unborn baby. It can cause low birth weight which means that the unborn baby is slower to develop than normal.
The reason for this is that blood supply is restricted through the placenta which means that the baby does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen which are vital for its development.
The medical term for this is ‘intra-uterine growth restriction’.
Pre-eclampsia can be detected during a routine ante-natal appointment. If it is present then action will be taken which includes regular urine and blood pressure tests.

TIMELINE

Week 8

Gestational age: 7 weeks old. 50–56 days from last menstruation.

Embryonic age: Week nr 6. 5 weeks old. 36–42 days from fertilization.

• The embryo measures 13 mm (1/2 inch) in length.
• Lungs begin to form.
• The brain continues to develop.
• Arms and legs have lengthened with foot and hand areas distinguishable.
• The hands and feet have digits, but may still be webbed.
• The gonadal ridge begins to be perceptible.
• The lymphatic system begins to develop.
• Main development of external genitalia starts.

 Week 9

Gestational age: 8 weeks old. 57–63 days from last menstruation.

Embryonic age: Week nr 7. 6 weeks old. 43–49 days from fertilization.

• The embryo measures 18 mm (3/4 inch) in length.
• Fetal heart tone (the sound of the heart beat) can be heard using doppler.
• Nipples and hair follicles begin to form.
• Location of the elbows and toes are visible.
• Spontaneous limb movements may be detected by ultrasound.
• All essential organs have at least begun
• The vitelline duct normally closes

Weeks 10–12

Gestational age: 9–11 weeks old.

Embryonic age: Weeks nr 8–10. 7–9 weeks old.

• Embryo measures 30–80 mm (1.2–3.2 inches) in length.
• Ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds fuse during the 8th week
• Intestines rotate.
• Facial features continue to develop.
• The eyelids are more developed.
• The external features of the ear begin to take their final shape.
• The head comprises nearly half of the fetus' size.
• The face is well formed
• The eyelids close and will not reopen until about the 28th week.
• Tooth buds, which will form the baby teeth, appear.
• The limbs are long and thin.
• The fetus can make a fist with its fingers.
• Genitals appear well differentiated.
• Red blood cells are produced in the liver.

Weeks 13 to 16

Gestational age: 12–15 weeks old.

Embryonic age: Weeks nr 11–14. 10–13 weeks old.

• The fetus reaches a length of about 15 cm (6 inches).
• A fine hair called lanugo develops on the head.
• Fetal skin is almost transparent.
• More muscle tissue and bones have developed, and the bones become harder.
• The fetus makes active movements.
• Sucking motions are made with the mouth.
• Meconium is made in the intestinal tract.
• The liver and pancreas produce fluid secretions.
• From week 13, sex prediction by obstetric ultrasonography is almost 100% accurate.
• At week 15, main development of external genitalia is finished

Mommy/Daddy BLOG* day5

I'm 24 weeks pregnant!





Week 19
Gestational age: 18 weeks old.
Embryonic age: Week nr 17. 16 weeks old.

• The fetus reaches a length of 20 cm (8 inches).
• Lanugo covers the entire body.
• Eyebrows and eyelashes appear.
• Nails appear on fingers and toes.
• The fetus is more active with increased muscle development.
• "Quickening" usually occurs (the mother and others can feel the fetus moving).
• The fetal heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.

 Week 23

Gestational age: 22 weeks old.

Embryonic age: Week nr 21. 20 weeks old.

• The fetus reaches a length of 28 cm (11.2 inches).
• The fetus weighs about 925g.
• Eyebrows and eyelashes are well formed.
• All of the eye components are developed.
• The fetus has a hand and startle reflex.
• Footprints and fingerprints continue forming.
• Alveoli (air sacs) are forming in lungs

Background Information

1.) What is food biotechnology?
 Biotechnology has a long history of use in food production and processing. For ten thousand years fermentation, a form of biotechnology, has been used to produce wine, beer and bread. Selective breeding of animals such as horses and dogs has been going on for centuries. Selective breeding of essential foods such as rice, corn andwheat have created thousands of local varieties with improved yield compared to their wild ancestors.

2.) What are genetically engineered foods? Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding (plant breeding and animal breeding), and somaclonal variation.

3.) What are the potential benefits of genetically engineered foods overall?
 Medicinal foods that could be used as vaccines/medicines, foods with more desirable traits, faster growing plants, increase in food supply with reduced cost and longer shelf life, decreased use of pesticides, Disease and drought resistant plants, tastier foods, more nutritious food.


4.) What are the potential risks of genetically engineered foods overall?
GMF may have genetic changes that are unexpected and harmful, Modified organisms may interbreed with natural organisms and out-compete them, this would lead to extinction of the original organism or to other unpredictable environmental effects, plants may be resistant to some pests but not to others.

Genetically Modified Foods

Consumer Advocate

What should the consumer know about genetically engineered foods?
 They can have harmful effects on the body

What are the benefits of genetically engineered foods from the consumer's perspective?
The two most beneficial things about GMF are that they make healthful foods even more nutritious and they reduce the need for toxic chemicals. Tomatoes are being made to produce more lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce cancer risk. Beans are being made to produce less gas. Soybeans are being produced with higher levels of isoflavones, substances that can help lower heart disease risk. GMF are being created to fight off bugs without having to spray pesticides that may cause harm to the environment.

What are the risks of genetically engineered foods from the consumer's perspective?
The main problem with genetically modified foods is that they are often recalled, and can be unsafe for human health. A type of genetically modified corn that wasn't approved for human consumption was found in taco bell taco shells. The product was tested and could cause allergies in the consumer of the product

Do these benefits outweigh the risks and why?
No, Genetically modified foods can cause harmful effects such as an allergic reaction. This would happen because in the genetic combining process, the manufacturers could add a protein to the food that can cause an allergic reaction that wouldn't be caused in the non-genetically modified version.

Should genetically engineered foods be labeled? 
 Yes, GMF should be labeled because it is the consumer's choice if they wish to eat GMF. GMF can cause possible harm so the consumer should be aware of that. A new law passed by congress will require foods to be labeled as of the summer of 2008.