Appendix 3
Movement and Learning Patterns of the Unborn Child and The Development of the Senses

 

Movements

 

Timing

Source
The technology of real-time ultrasonography can be used to detect movements such as breathing, cardiac contractions, and pulsations of the vessels.
Before birth Williams, p 1023
All fetal movements ever observed by the author are similar to those seen after birth and are easily recognizable to persons familiar with movements made by preterm and full-term infants. The pattern of yawns and stretches seen in the first trimester remains the same throughout life. Before birth Nijhuis/Prechtl, p 65 & p 66
Fetal movement patterns are coordinated from the start and are similar to those after birth. Before birth de Vries (1985), p 100
Heart activity can be measured with transvaginal ultrasonic scanning. 4th week after fertilization Williams, p 1027
Spontaneous movements, such as twitching of the trunk and limbs, have been reported. 6th week after fertilization Moore, p 94
The earliest reflexes begin. Day 42 after conception Rugh, p 47
The fetus normally moves spontaneously. 6th - 8th weeks after conception de Vries (1982), p 318
Neck and trunk muscles start contracting spontaneously. 7th week after fertilization England, p 206
Purposeful limb movements first occur. 8th week after fertilization Moore, p 97
Limb movements first occur during the 8th week. By the 14th week, they become coordinated. 8th - 14th weeks after fertilization Moore, p 112

If the fetus is removed from the uterus, spontaneous movements may be observed.

8th week after fertilization

Williams, p 169

The most common movement patterns have emerged. 10th week after conception de Vries (1988), p 87
If the region near the mouth is stimulated, the fetus will open its mouth and a suck finger. 11th week after fertilization England, p 206
Reflex activity can be evoked in aborted fetuses, indicating muscular activity. End of 3rd month after fertilization Sadler, p 114
Movements begin, but are usually not felt by the mother. 12th week after fertilization Sadler, p 116
The fetus responds to stimulation of the skin. 12th week after fertilization England, p 206
Stroking the lips causes the fetus to suck and stroking the eyelids results in a reflex response. End of 12th week after fertilization Moore, 4th edition, p 91
Slow eye movements occur. 14th week after fertilization Moore, p 112
The first day that movement is noticed by the pregnant woman is called "quickening". 14th - 18th weeks after fertilization Williams, p 23
In a study of 10 fetuses, the majority of movements occurred more frequently in the afternoon and evening than in the morning. 20th - 22nd weeks after conception de Vries (1987), p 337
Signs of life (i.e.quickening) are felt by the mother. 18th week after fertilization Moore, p 109
Movement is usually recognized by the mother. During the 5th month after fertilization Sadler, p 114
Rapid eye movements begin. 21st week after fertilization Moore, p 114


 


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