Essay
Unit 4 BTEC Health and Social Care Level 3 P1 M1 D1 Development through the Life Stages
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Unit 4 assignment achieving P1 M1 D1
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Development through thelife stages.
UNIT 4 P1 M1 D1
, Introduction
In this essay I will be explaining the development throughout the life stages. This is including
conception, pregnancy (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters), birth and infancy (0-3years), childhood (4-
9years), adolescence (10-18years), adulthood (19-65years), older adulthood (65+) and the final
stages of life. This will include physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. I will
further this by discussing nature versus nurture, and conclude by evaluating how this will affect
the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.
Conception
Each month a group of eggs in the ovaries grow in small sacks named follicles. Eventually one of
these eggs leaves, this is ovulation. This typically takes places 2 weeks before the next period is
due. Once the egg leaves the follicle it develops into the corpus luteum, releasing a hormone to
thicken the uterus lining, preparing for the egg. Once released the egg travels to the fallopian
tube, where it remains for 24hrs waiting for sperm to fertilize it. This takes around 2 weeks after
the period. If there is no sperm to fertilize the egg, it travels through the uterus and falls apart.
The hormone levels return to normal, and the uterus sheds the lining, starting the period. If a
sperm does make its way into the egg, it fertilizes, no other sperm will be able to access the egg.
As soon as fertilization happens the babies genes and sex are set. (Y chromosome being male, X
chromosome being female). The egg remains in the fallopian tubes for around 3-4 days, but
within 24hrs of the fertilization it begins to divide quickly into cells. It continues to divide as it
travels through the tube and attaches itself to the uterus lining, this is implantation. The uterus
lining will become thicker and the cervix will be plugged with mucus until the child is ready to be
born. From the time of conception a pregnancy hormone known as HCG is in the blood and is
detectable using a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a period in which a female carries offspring. Pregnancy can happen by having
sexual intercourse or with assisted reproductive technology. Pregnancy usually lasts around 40
weeks starting from the last period to childbirth.
First trimester
During the first trimester women can either have a happy, healthy experience or a miserable
one.
Breast tenderness: This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, it is caused by hormones being
released, preparing the milk ducts to feed the baby.
Constipation: This can be caused by these rising hormone levels plus the extra iron the body
receives from using prenatal vitamins.
Frequent urination: This happens because the uterus pushes down on the bladder which may
cause more bathroom breaks or the feeling that you need to urinate.
Food cravings: More than 60% of women experience food cravings in their pregnancy, these
cravings are generally fine as long as it is low in calories. The other type of craving is called ‘pica’
this is when the female craves something that isn’t a food, this can be dangerous for the woman
and her child and should be avoided or reported to a doctor.
PAGE 1
, Fatigue: This happens because the women is supporting a growing child, which makes the
mother worn out easily, taking naps throughout the day or increasing iron intake can help
against this.
Discharge: Some women experience thin discharge early in the pregnancy this is called
‘leucorrhea’. During pregnancy the body produces more of the progesterone hormone, this
causes the muscles to become relaxed and this can lead to acid reflux or ‘heartburn’.
Mood swings: This happen with most women and is caused by changing hormones and fatigue.
Nausea: Morning sickness is one of the most well-known side effects of pregnancy which effects
up to 85% of women. Nausea is usually worst in the morning hence the name ‘morning
sickness’. This can effect some women throughout the whole of the first trimester.
Weight gain: This is usually considered a good thing especially if the female is underweight at
the start of the pregnancy, however it can be dangerous for the child to put on too much
weight. Whilst pregnant you only need to consume and extra 150 calories per day.
Bleeding: Some women will experience slight bleeding which is referred to as spotting.
WEEK 1 + 2: At this stage the women is not pregnant yet, the body is preparing for the
pregnancy. Conception occurs typically 2 weeks after the last period starts.
WEEK 3: The sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tube and form together creating a ‘zygote’.
Each zygote tends to have 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and 23 from the father. These
determine the child sex and traits. After fertilization the zygote travels down the fallopian tube
towards the uterus, dividing to form cells called a morula.
WEEK 4: Once the morula arrives at the uterus these cells, now called blastocysts have
separated into two. The inner cell will become the embryo and the outer will become its
protection and form of nourishment. The blastocyst will embed into the uterus wall, this is
called implantation.
WEEK 5: The third week after conception is when the embryonic period begins. During this
period the brain, heart, spinal cord and other organs will begin to form. The embryo is now
made of three different layers.
The first layer (ectoderm) will produce the outer layer of skin, peripheral and central nervous
systems, eyes, inner ears and some connective tissues.
The second layer (mesoderm) will form the foundation of the baby’s bones, muscles, kidneys
and most of the reproductive system. Also the heart and blood vessels.
The third layer (endoderm) will become a tube lined with mucous membranes. The lungs,
bladder and intestines will form here.
At the end of this week the child will be around the size of the tip of a pen.
WEEK 6: Growth is rapid in this week. The baby will take on a C shape, and small buds
protruding from the child will soon form arms and legs. The heart has started pumping blood.
The baby’s features will begin to form.
WEEK 7: Baby’s brain and face develops. Nostrils and eye lenses form. Arms take on a paddle
shape. The baby is around the size of a pencil eraser.
WEEK 8: Arms and legs are longer and fingers have started to form. The baby’s body has begun
to straighten out, eyes are visible, ear shape is forming, and upper lip and nose begins to
develop.
WEEK 9: Arms develop bones and can bend at the elbow. Toes have formed. Ears and eyelids
continue to develop.
PAGE 2
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