Embryo
An embryo is what your developing baby is called from the moment of fertilisation through to the end of week 8 of pregnancy. During this period, a single fertilised cell rapidly divides and differentiates into the distinct cell layers that will form every organ and structure in the body. By week 6, a primitive heartbeat can often be detected on ultrasound. The embryonic stage is when the baby is most vulnerable to environmental factors such as infections, certain medications, alcohol, and nutritional deficiencies. Taking folic acid before and during this stage helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
What This Means for You
Understanding Embryo is an important part of your weeks 3-8 journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
Explore our Pregnancy hubGood to Know
The term embryo is used in clinical and IVF settings in Singapore. If you are undergoing IVF at a clinic like KKH's Assisted Reproduction Unit, you will hear embryo used to describe the fertilised egg before it is transferred to the uterus.
Related Terms
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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