Fetal Development Milestones

Presented by Roberta Gatlin

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This course is a presentation of the developmental maturation of the embryo into a fetus. Dr. Gatlin will provide a review of the systems development that is pertinent to a rehabilitation therapist's work within a NICU environment. Each chapter will describe a fetal gestational week of growth and development.

Meet your instructor

Roberta Gatlin

Roberta “Bertie” Gatlin, PT, DScPT, PCS, graduated from University of Memphis in 1986 with a BS in Special Education and from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Physical Therapy in 1989 with a BS in Physical Therapy. She completed her Doctorate of Science with an emphasis in Neurological and…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Pregnancy Time Frames and Embryological/Fetal Development

1. Pregnancy Time Frames and Embryological/Fetal Development

This chapter is designed to provide the learner with the embryological development of a fetus, specifically period changes from a structural development to functional development. Dr. Gatlin will also discuss the three time frames of pregnancy.

23-30 Weeks' Gestational Age

2. 23-30 Weeks' Gestational Age

This chapter is designed to provide the learner with the embryological development of a 23-30 weeks’ gestational age fetus, specifically resting posture, hypermobility, and the emergence of reflexive patterns.

30-33 Weeks' Gestational Age

3. 30-33 Weeks' Gestational Age

This chapter is designed to provide the learner with the embryological development of a 30-33 weeks’ gestational age fetus, specifically resting posture, movement patterns, the progression of physiological flexion, and the the changes in the popliteal angle.

34-37 Weeks' Gestational Age

4. 34-37 Weeks' Gestational Age

This chapter is designed to provide the learner with the embryological development of a 34-37 weeks’ gestational age fetus, specifically resting posture, the visual system, oral motor patterns, and the changes in the popliteal angle.

37-42 Weeks' Gestational Age

5. 37-42 Weeks' Gestational Age

This chapter is designed to provide the learner with the embryological development of a 37-42 weeks' gestational age fetus, specifically the resting posture, movement patterns, and the reflexive behavior.