Development of Foetus

During gestation (length of pregnancy) growth rate is in excess

Placenta is the first organ to develop when blastocyst embeds itself in uterine lining

Growth faster than embryo in early pregnancy

Development increases in complexity

Differentiating of inner cell mass of blastocyst

First month: beginning of a gut, developed kidney, brain, beating heart

Second month: all main organ systems present; embryo is called a foetus

At the end of gestation, placenta is discarded but essential for the 1st 9 months of life