Do You Know How The Foetal Brain Develops?

If you’ve discovered that you're pregnant, you’re most likely to spend the next few months wondering how your baby will grow in your womb. You might become a little imaginative about the colour of the growing baby’s eyes and also think if she can hear you… But, have you ever thought that, your baby cuddled inside your womb, might develop the brain as well?

The foetal brain development follows a typical schedule. Most importantly, the foetal nervous system or baby’s brain and spinal cord are the first ones to develop.

Therefore, as you keep visiting the doctor for pre-natal check-ups, and get the ultrasounds done, you’ll get a clear idea about your baby’s brain development.

The Foetal Brain

Your baby’s brain is the center of the nervous system. It houses all the essential components of the brain and the spinal cord like the:

• Cerebrum: This part of the brain is used to think, remember and feel.
• Cerebellum: This part is responsible for making the baby move the arms and legs.
• Stem or Brain Stem: Plays the primary role of breathing, beating of the heart and blood pressure.

So, How Does The Foetal Brain Develop?

Just a few weeks after conception, the neural plate, which is the basis of the baby’s brain and spinal cord is formed. With time it grows, and turns into a groove, which again turns into the neural tube, which is the most important part of the baby brain and spinal cord.

Development In The First Trimester

First trimester is the time of rapid development of the brain. Once the neural tube closes, the rudimentary brain divides into three parts:

• Front brain
• Midbrain and
• Hindbrain

Not just that! The neurons and synapses also develop into the spinal cord and slowly allows the foetus to move. In fact, they allow the foetus to make its first movement.

However, the foetal activities, at this stage, are very limited.

Development In The Second Trimester

The baby's brain slowly starts taking control. It begins to command the bodily functions, which includes the specific movements of the hindbrain and the cerebellum. The development in the 16th week will be quite noticeable, i.e., sucking and swallowing.

In this stage, the brain is also directing the diaphragm and chest muscles for it to contract. This is also known as “practice breathing”. It is at this juncture that you might feel the kicks.

However, by the end of the second trimester, the brain stem fully develops.

Development In The Third Trimester

Well! In the third trimester, your baby's brain almost triples in size; neurons and wiring are also rapidly developing. In fact this is the time when the baby performs all the important functions of kicking, punching, stretching, and all other movements. Further, your baby's smooth brain surface is becoming increasingly grooved and resembling the brain pictures you are used to seeing. By the time your baby’s born, the brain will almost look like an adult brain. In fact, the cerebral cortex also develops in the womb, but does not start performing till such time that the baby is born.

To Conclude

But everything doesn’t end with foetal development, you have to nurture it. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy diet can promote a healthy brain. Afterwards, what you eat impacts your baby in your womb greatly. So, you might very well include folic acid and omega 3 in your diet.

Take Folic Acid

Since the foetal brain development takes place taking at least 400 to 600 micrograms of folic acid is important. Folic Acid or vitamin B supports the foetal and brain development. It also helps in the DNA and neurotransmitter production, which is important for blood cells and energy production. In fact, consumption of dark green leafy veggies, flaxseed and whole grains all are rich with folic acid.

Omega 3 Has To Be

Since the foetal brain has high fat content, omega 3 is quite helpful and is responsible for nerve connections.

Last but not the least, if you think the foetus is less active or you find that there are developmental problems, consult your doctor immediately.