Life Before Birth: The Challenges of Fetal Development

by Peter W. Nathanielsz, Paula Disanto Bensadoun (Illustrator), Graham Mont Sir Liggins (Introduction)

This work examines the stages and mechanisms of normal development during the last three months of pregnancy. Topics covered how the placenta functions as a lung, gut and kidney for the uterus; how the foetal brain is dependent on continuous activity to develop normally; maternal lifestyle and its impact on foetal development; cell instructions to each other in order that they end up in the right place in the baby's body; how the foetus gives the signal to start the birth process; and how the new-born baby adapts to the world outside the uterus.

250 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996