Development Throughout the Life Stages

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• 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.