The placenta provides food and oxygen to the developing fetus through the umbilical cord attached to the mother's uterus. The amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus inside the amniotic sac and protects it from shocks. As the embryo develops over weeks, it grows into a fetus with visible features by 4 weeks. When birth is imminent, the amniotic sac bursts and the uterus and cervix muscles contract to push the baby out through the birth canal.

1. Reproduction
• Targets
• To learn about the uterus as the home of the
developing baby

2. KEY WORDS
• Placenta
• Fetus
• Umbilical cord
• Placenta

3. The Placenta

4. Placenta
Food store in the
mother for the baby.
This will come away
after the birth. It is
then known as the
‘afterbirth’.
Questions –
Spectrum 7
-page 19

5. Amniotic fluid
• The amniotic fluid
surrounds the baby to
support the baby and
protect it from shocks
and bumps.
Questions –
Spectrum 7
-page 19

6. The growing baby
• The baby is attached
to its mother by the
umbilical cord. This
cord brings oxygen
and food to the baby
from its mother. It also
takes out waste like
carbon dioxide and
urea.
Questions –
Spectrum 7
-page 19

7. The Embryo

8. Embryo Development

9. Embryo
• This is a fertilized ova which has started to
grow into a baby. No visible features.
Questions – Core
Science 2 -page
11

10. Foetus
• This is a developing
baby. Has visible head
and limbs at about 4
weeks. Becomes
viable at about 28
weeks.
Questions – Core
Science 2 -page
11

11. Umbilical cord
• Tube which connects the baby to its mother,
down which the supply of food and oxygen
travels in the blood. This is cut after birth.
Questions – Core
Science 2 -page
11

12. Amniotic sac –
protects the baby
Inside the womb
Placenta – allows the
mother’s blood to come
close to the baby’s to
allow exchange of food,
oxygen and wastes
Umbilical cord –
connects the baby to
the mother

13. Birth

14. Giving birth
The following events happen when a
woman is about to give birth:
1) The amniotic
sac bursts
(“water
breaking”)
2) Muscles in the
uterus wall start
contracting to
push the baby out
3) The muscles in the
cervix relax and widen