EN EL VIENTRE MATERNO (3-3)

Fetal Development: Sensing the World

Early Sensory Perception

• The fetus can detect a weak light, although the thick uterine walls mean it spends most of its time in darkness.

• Strong light, such as direct sunlight, may penetrate the uterus, allowing the fetus to perceive some brightness.

• Eye-opening and closing movements help develop the blink reflex, which protects eyes from foreign elements and bright light throughout life.

• By 25 weeks, fetal eyes are well-developed and even have eyelashes; however, eye color may not fully develop in utero.

• Geneticists previously believed eye color was determined by a single gene; recent studies indicate multiple genes influence this trait.

Physical Development Milestones

• At 28 weeks, the fetus has completed two-thirds of its gestation period and begins to gain weight with fat accumulation beneath the skin.

• The cerebral cortex matures enough to support knowledge acquisition; sensory systems will be as developed as those of a newborn within four weeks.

• The fetus becomes increasingly aware of its surroundings and starts forming memories for the first time.

Advanced Sensory Abilities

• By this stage, fetuses can hear sounds, distinguish flavors, smell, touch, and learn about their environment. Sounds become more pronounced as space tightens in the womb.

• As birth approaches (around 38 weeks), fetuses prepare for delivery by positioning themselves head-down in the uterus; this can cause discomfort for mothers due to kicks against ribs.

Impact of Music on Fetal Mood

• Exposure to different types of music can affect fetal mood: fast-paced rhythms stimulate excitement while classical or choral music provides calming effects.

• At 33 weeks gestation, fetuses may recognize specific pieces of music and respond by following rhythms. A study showed that babies exposed to a TV theme song during pregnancy reacted positively after birth when they heard it again.

• This suggests long-term memory functions before birth since infants would calm down upon hearing familiar tunes post-delivery.

Final Stages Before Birth

• As labor nears (around 38 weeks), it's noted that only 5% of babies are born on their due date; most arrive within two weeks before or after that date.

• The baby is nearing completion of its nine-month journey in utero—capable of distinguishing tastes and sounds while feeling cramped inside the womb before facing an entirely new world outside filled with noise and light.

This structured overview captures key insights into fetal development stages regarding sensory perception and physical growth leading up to birth while providing timestamps for easy reference back to specific parts of the transcript.