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The Development of the Human Brain in a Mother's Womb

The gesticulation period for a human baby is typically nine months, and in this time period, a baby's brain can grow from one to 100 billion neurons. The developmental process that takes place while in utero is a complex system that can be affected by what the mother eats and drinks, trauma that occurs to the mother and other occurrences. A mother needs to take excellent care of herself to ensure the best developmental environment for her unborn child.

  1. The First Trimester

    • The eighth week of pregnancy is the time period when the major organs of an embryo come to be in place, including the brain. The first three parts of the brain --- the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain --- are formed as early as week three of the gestation period and can begin functioning only a week later. Brain cells divide rapidly during the first trimester, laying the foundation for the neural system that includes the brain and spinal cord. During this time, it is imperative that women avoid cigarettes, alcohol and exposure to chemicals to ensure that there are no disruptions to neural formations.

    The Second Trimester

    • During the second trimester, a baby's brain and major organs develop and mature. At this point in the pregnancy, the brain connects to all parts of the baby's body. By the seventh month, these connections are completed in a process called synaptogenesis. By the eighth month, the brain and head grow rapidly, making connections in neurons. The brain will fully develop but won't reach its full size until closer to the baby's due date. It is in this trimester that a baby begins developing sensations of taste and smell and recognizing certain familiar sounds.

    The Third Trimester

    • During the third trimester, the brain starts developing the folds and wrinkles we commonly associate with a human brain. This helps accommodate its growing size. By the eighth month of pregnancy, more and more connections are built by the nervous system, and the brain becomes capable of motor function. In the ninth month of pregnancy, the motor skills are refined as more neuronal connections take place. When it is time for the baby to be born, the brain has developed enough that the child is fully capable of breathing, moving and learning to recognize sounds, smells and tastes.

    Proper Nutrition

    • Eating well while pregnant is a major factor in determining whether or not a baby will be born fully functioning and healthy. A mother-to-be must eat a variety of vitamins and minerals that are critical to brain development, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Some major sources of omega-3 include walnuts, flaxseeds and their oil, salmon and other fish, chia seeds, hemp and marine algae. Omega-6 can be found in fats like butter and olive oil. Whole grains with folic acid also contribute to healthy brain development.

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