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A period between conception till birth is called a prenatal period. During this period, major developmental changes take place in a very rapid manner. This development goes through three stages as follows:
1. Germinal stage: It ranges from conception to two weeks. Within few hours after conception, the zygote starts a journey down the fallopian tube to the uterus; where it begins the process of cell duplication. In this process, the zygote divides itself into two cells and then goes on duplicating itself. By the end of this period, the zygote gets attached to the wall of the uterus.
2. Embryonic stage: It starts from the third week after conception and continues till the ninth week. It is a time when the mass of cells (embryo) becomes distinct from a human. This stage plays a crucial role in the development of the brain. Almost all internal and external organs develop by the end of this period.
3. Fetal stage: It begins during the ninth week and lasts until birth. This period is marked by more important changes in the brain. The body parts and structures established in the embryonic stage continue to develop during this stage.