In this lesson we will look at little closer at the science of implantation, followed by the continued growth of the baby through the embryonic stage, to the foetus.
Before we begin, A quick note on the history and science. Viewpoints on what the baby can remember, feel and sense have changed over the years. Science still holds that certain synapses in the brain need to develop before memory is formed and these synaptic connections form in the second trimester and strengthen in the third. There are many studies in these later months that show the babies responses in the third trimester as the prefrontal cortex is developing. These show babies demonstrating preferences for sounds, their mother’s voice, and various behaviours in the womb.
My experience, is that although there may be validity to some limitations in types of memory that may be possible due to development and conscious recall of past events may develop later, that there are multiple layers and types of memory. We learn skills and have ‘body memory’ with activities like riding a bike for example. We can access the consciousness of the egg and sperm as we did last week and the consciousness of the animating Soul who comes into the body. I believe that it is better to be open to information, memories and experiences from any point in the development and not just when the established science can prove that the developing foetus is showing responses we can measure.
That said it is still fascinating to study how we develop in the womb. so lets take a look. As you read , allow yourself to consider how your personal story in the womb may have impacted any of these developmental stages.
A closer look at Implantation
I wanted to bring you a little more detail about implantation from the scientific perspective as this is the earliest physical connection that you have with your mother. Later in the birth story, connection and bonding becomes crucial and one of the largest areas where healing is needed and it feels worth exploring the earliest moments of joining of your newly formed body to your mother's body which will sustain you throughout pregnancy.
The blastocyst that is made up of between 32 and 256 cells implants into the lining of the womb – at around 6 to 10 days after fertilisation. Something like two thirds of pregnancies are lost at this stage often without the mother ever knowing she was pregnant.
The outer layer of the blastocyst is called the zona pellucida and is a protective layer from the egg around the developing embryo. The outer cell layers under this are called the trophoblast will later form the placenta whilst the inner cell mass becomes the foetus.
A few things happen during successful implantation.
The blastocyst changes in structure and and sheds the zona pellucida. The growing blastocyst emerges from this shell on around day 6 so that it can attach to the uterus wall. It usually attaches on the back upper side of the uterus. The process of implantation has three stages.
1. Apposition - this is the very first loose connection between the embryo and the uterus. It is not yet stable and fully attached.
2. Attainment ( adhesion) This is a stronger connection that is achieved by protrusions of trophoblast cells. This period involves signalling between the mother’s uterine lining and the embryo which initiates changes in the endometrial lining to allow the attachment.
3. Penetration ( invasion) The trophectoderm cells penetrate more deeply and establish a vascular connection with the mother. Once the connection with the maternal blood supply is established the embryo
The process of 'hatching' from the zona pellucida and implanting happens simultaneously and takes several days. It is usually complete around by day 10 after ovulation and from here on in the cells of the developing embryo start to differentiate and take on various roles.
A look at some of the key developments of the foetus.
From here the development is rapid.
During the third week of development the embryo is still only a few mm in length but the cells have started to differentiate and form 3 distinct layers, each of which give rise to different systems.
Ectoderm – the outer most layer will become the entire nervous system, the skin and hair, nails and some sensory organs
Mesoderm - This is the middle layer and will become the muscles bones cartilage and circulatory system including the heart and some other inner organs such as the kidneys and sex organs kidneys
Endoderm - This is the inner most layer and where the liver, pancreas, lungs land lining of the digestive tract is developed.
Organs – the heart and brain
The heart
The heart is the first fully functioning organ and will start pulsing at about 5 to 6 weeks and is considered fully functioning by 10 weeks. When it first starts pulsating it beats at around 110 beats per minute which increases to between 150 and 170 beats per minute by week 10 before slowing slightly over the later stages of pregnancy. It still remains considerably faster than an adults heart rate though.
Just like an adult’s heart the foetus heart emits a powerful electo-magnetic field. The heart’s electro magnetic field is the strongest in the body stronger than the brain and is detectable several metres out beyond the adult body. This can be measured and containes information about a person’s emotional state. This has become a field of study in both adults and antenatally, with thoughts that the field is used as a method of communication between the mother and her foetus
The brain
The brain develops alongside the heart but does not complete its development until after birth- in fact the brain continues to develop until early adulthood.
The brain develops from some specialised cells that form a neural plate by the third week of conception. This folds around to form the neural tube by week 3 to 4 and the three primary brain regions, forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain begin to form. The first brain waves can be detected by week 6 though the brain is far from complete or mature at this stage. However, by the time the baby is born it will have created 100 billion neurons. This equates to 250 000 nerve cells a minute during pregnancy. During the first trimester the brain makes up more than half the foetus’ weight, though this proportion gradually lessens as the rest of the body grows.
Senses
As the baby continues to grow its body, the senses gradually come online. The baby practices movements during the womb including kicking, sucking its thumb, and swallowing. Here is an overview of some of the senses that the baby develops.
Touch
Touch receptors develop in the face - especially on the lips and nose by week 8 and connect these sensations to the developing brain. As growth develops more receptors form all over the body and by week 32 every part not has the sensitivity to feel the slightest touch. The growing baby explores himself and his environment through touch and twins can be seen to be interacting with each other often by 14 weeks-
Sight - Eyes - The cells that will become eyes already start to form optic nerves, one on each side of the head which gradually move to the front. By week 8 the retina has begun to form. and by week 16 they can detect light. Although they do not open for the first time until week 27 or 28, the growing baby will respond to bright lights with movement. By week 31 or 32 they can be seen to be opening and focusing on objects.
Hearing - Ears
The inner ear begins to develop by week 5 although they just look like skin folds at this early stage. At 12 weeks the cochlea is developing and by 18 weeks the foetus can hear sounds inside the body like your mother's heart beat. By 23 weeks the hearing has improved and can hear muffled sounds from outside the body - peoples voices or music. By 24 weeks onwards the foetus will respond to their mothers voice with slower movements and a slower heartbeat and can be soothed when there are other noises that are unfamiliar.
There are many studies that show that babies remember and respond to sounds they heard in the womb. In addition you may have heard stories of this in action. One of my friends said she used to be very busy and stressed during her son's pregnancy. But she had one time of day when she relaxed - watching coronation street. Once he was born, any time he was agitated she could play the theme tune and he would instantly relax and go to sleep.
Taste
As early as 8 weeks, the taste buds appear and by 14 weeks are functional and the foetus can taste. The foetus shows reactions from as short a time as 30 minutes from when their mother has eaten food. The amniotic fluid surrounding the baby changes its composition taste and smell depending on what the mother has been eating. And the baby will swallow more of it when it is sweeter.
Smell
Their nose is completely formed by week 12 and their sense of smell develops in the second trimester. Babies learn smells in the womb from the amniotic fluid. By the time they are born they will recognise their mother by smell alone.
Movement and Reflexes
Reflexes are automatic movements in response to stimuli without conscious thought and babies have many that are crucial to their birth and development following birth. These primitive reflexes form survival and protective functions and are designed to fade out as the child develops and other reflexes take over. Their retention can result in many longer term problems even in adults including panic attacks, car sickness, OCD, mood swings, and high blood pressure.
The two we are principally concerned with for our purposes are the Fear Paralysis Reflex and the Moro Reflex.
FPR - Fear Paralysis Reflex.
The FPR develops only a few weeks after conception and causes the embryo to freeze under stress. It is usually superseded by the Moro Reflex at about 12 weeks. But if retained beyond birth, you see someone who may have limited tolerance to stress and hyper sensitivity and challenges in attachment.
Moro Reflex
This is an alarm reflex that sees the baby throw its arms and legs wide, then bring them in close, sometimes with a cry when it encounters a perceived threat. It begins 9 to 12 weeks after conception and disappears 6 months after birth. It can be activated by any of the senses with events such as a loud noise, a sudden light or movement and also triggers the 'fight or flight' response.
In ordinary circumstances this state will not last long but whilst it does, all our senses are heightened and we see everything as a potential threat and this is extremely stressful for the system if prolonged.
If the Moro reflex is retained then there are many potential problems such as allergies, reactions to foods and medicines, OCD, Emotional regulation issues, separation anxiety and shyness. A retained Fear Paralysis Reflex will often lead into retention of the Moro Reflex,
I will be sharing more about this during our call and we will be doing some great experiential work around this stage of development in the womb.
Finally a couple of fun facts:
Are you Left or Right Handed?
75% of babies show right handed dominance at 8 weeks with the remainder showing either left handed or no preference. That is pretty early on!
Did you know that you had gills and a tail for a brief period of time during the womb?
Many parts of the growing foetus change and shift as each cell begins to specialise and perform a particular function. Early on the foetus has a tail and gills. But these disappear as the tail becomes the coccyx and the gills become the jaw and ear bones.
Links
If you are interested to go deeper into the science of this here are a couple of interesting links:
Development of the Central Nervous System
Development of the brain
Stages of Foetal Development
Note all these external links are provided for informational purposes, only and I cannot vouch for their accuracy or content.