During pregnancy, adequate maternal nutrition is essential for normal growth and development of the fetus. A fetus that does not have adequate nutrition might be small for gestational age, fail to have normal brain development, have learning disabilities as a child, and be at increased risk for chronic illnesses as an adult.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can result in fatal megalobalstic anemia and neural tube defects or folic acid deficiency, inadequate bone calcification vitamin D and calcium deficits, and hypothyroidism iodine deficiency. Other health risks for the developing fetus are so disturbing that is why pregnant mother need to be careful on what they eat and they should have a monthly check up with their Doctor. They should follow all the prenatal vitamins prescribe to them.
The fetal stage lasts from 9 weeks to birth. All body organs and system continue to grow and develop. At the end of the first trimester, some reflexes are present, kidney secretion begins, Doppler can hear the heartbeat, and the sex of the infant is distinguishable by outward appearance. At the end of the second trimester fetal heart tones are audible by stethoscope, the liver and pancreas are functioning, hair forms, sleep-wake patterns are established, lung surfactant is produced, and eyelids open. At the end of the third trimester, testes have descended, lung alveoli are formed, subcutaneous fat is deposited, and the fetus actively kicks. By birth, the average neonate weighs 7.5 lb and is 20 inches long.
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