Changes

The development in prenatal life can be divided into two phases:  

The development in prenatal life can be divided into two phases:  

1. '''Embryonic development:''' The first eight weeks (weeks 1 - 8) after fertilization is the embryonic period. It is also considered the organogenic period, when most organs within the embryo have begun to form.<ref>https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Embryonic_Development</ref>  

1. '''Embryonic development:''' The first eight weeks (weeks 1 - 8) after fertilization is the embryonic period. It is also considered the organogenic period, when most organs within the embryo have begun to form.<ref name=embryo>https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Embryonic_Development</ref>  

2. '''Fetal development''': The prenatal period of 9 weeks to 37 weeks is fetal period. It is a time of extensive growth in size and mass as well as ongoing differentiation of organ systems. Clinically this period is generally described as the second trimester and third trimester.<ref>https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Fetal_Development</ref>

2. '''Fetal development''': The prenatal period of 9 weeks to 37 weeks is fetal period. It is a time of extensive growth in size and mass as well as ongoing differentiation of organ systems. Clinically this period is generally described as the second trimester and third trimester.<ref name=fetus>https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Fetal_Development</ref>

== Essential factors for conception (garbha sambhava samagri)==

== Essential factors for conception (garbha sambhava samagri)==

The embryo is constituted of five great elements (mahabhuta) and consciousness (chetana). Hence, the holistic human being (purusha) is also known as ‘six elemental’ (shad dhatvatmaka purusha). [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/6]  

The embryo is constituted of five great elements (mahabhuta) and consciousness (chetana). Hence, the holistic human being (purusha) is also known as ‘six elemental’ (shad dhatvatmaka purusha). [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/6]  

The Purusha (microcosm) is developed from loka(macrocosm). The five fundamental elements are sources for various functions of holistic human being. All the five elements (mahabhuta) play respective roles during embryogenesis and foetal development. [Su Sa Sharira Sthana 5/3]  

The Purusha (microcosm) is developed from loka(macrocosm). The five fundamental elements are sources for various functions of holistic human being. All the five elements (mahabhuta) play respective roles during embryogenesis and foetal development. [Su Sa Sharira Sthana 5/3]  

Research on this concept may provide more insights in treatment of disorders of respective body components. For example, the sound vibrations can have effect on functions of akasha mahabhuta. This can be helpful in promotion of good prenatal health. Some researches on effect of music therapy on fetal development are in progress. A complete program for prenatal health and wellness called ‘garbha samskara’ is regularly advised and conducted in various institutions of India.  

Research on this concept may provide more insights in treatment of disorders of respective body components. For example, the sound vibrations can have effect on functions of [[akasha mahabhuta]]. This can be helpful in promotion of good prenatal health. Some researches on effect of music therapy on fetal development are in progress. A complete program for prenatal health and wellness called ‘garbha samskara’ is regularly advised and conducted in various institutions of India.<ref>Available from http://www.nia.nic.in/pdf/Program_Garbhasanskar_Antenatal_Program_2020_Batch_V_VI.pdf cited on 08/01/2021 </ref>

'''Table 1: Functions and body components developed from [[panchamahabhuta]]'''*

'''Table 1: Functions and body components developed from [[panchamahabhuta]]'''*

===Factors influencing embryonic development ===

===Factors influencing embryonic development ===

As per contemporary views, embryonic development is the result of interactions between the genetic program in the chromosomes of each zygote and the female genital tract.  

As per contemporary views, embryonic development is the result of interactions between the genetic program in the chromosomes of each zygote and the female genital tract.<ref>Fulvio Gandolfi,Autocrine, paracrine and environmental factors influencing embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst,Theriogenology,Volume 41, Issue 1,1994,Pages 95-100,ISSN 0093-691X, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(05)80053-6.</ref>

The factors influencing embryonic development can be broadly divided into three.

The factors influencing embryonic development can be broadly divided into three.

The successful embryonic development requires the balanced combination of all these factors.  

The successful embryonic development requires the balanced combination of all these factors.  

Genetic, nutritional, environmental, uteroplacental, and fetal factors have been suggested to influence fetal growth. Uteroplacental and umbilical blood flow and transplacental glucose and fetal insulin are major determinants of fetal growth.

Genetic, nutritional, environmental, uteroplacental, and fetal factors have been suggested to influence fetal growth. Uteroplacental and umbilical blood flow and transplacental glucose and fetal insulin are major determinants of fetal growth.<ref>Vorherr H. Factors influencing fetal growth. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1982 Mar 1;142(5):577-88. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(82)90765-7. PMID: 7036747.</ref>

==Month wise development of embryo and foetus==

==Month wise development of embryo and foetus==

{| class= "wikitable"

{| class= "wikitable"

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!Month!!Description in Ayurveda texts* !! Description in  contemporary medical texts   

!Month!!Description in Ayurveda texts* !! Description in  contemporary medical texts<ref name=embryo/><ref name=fetus/>  

|-  

|-  

|'''1st month'''|| Attains the consistency resembling shleshma(mucoid character),or jelly mass(kalala) in which all the body parts though present are not conspicuous.  

|'''1st month'''|| Attains the consistency resembling shleshma(mucoid character),or jelly mass(kalala) in which all the body parts though present are not conspicuous.