When conception occurs, we often have no idea what is happening inside the body of the woman who has just become pregnant. We have no clue about the changes, the transformations, the formation of a new life, all happening at full speed!
As soon as you get a positive result, rest assured that a lot has already happened inside the uterus in terms of fetal development. And the neural tube is one of the main changes and events of pregnancy and the formation of the baby—even in the first days after conception. It is from this tiny neural tube that everything begins. Shall we understand how?
How It All Begins
From the meeting of the male and female gametes, the egg and sperm, cell multiplication starts and, then, the formation of the baby and all the structure involved in pregnancy. The zygote, upon reaching the uterus (since conception happens in the fallopian tubes), divides into two parts.
At about 2 weeks of pregnancy, after the implantation of the embryo in the uterus (counting from conception and not from the last menstrual period), the neural tube starts to form. The multiplication of cells creates what will be the baby’s head, brain, spinal cord, and backbone. As days go by, the tube grows longer and still looks like a cluster of cells. Even at this stage, it determines the baby’s health.
What Exactly Is the Neural Tube?
The neural tube is the foundation for it all. Without it, there is no baby, and with a poorly structured foundation, the baby will not develop healthily. In fact, most malformations happen at this stage. The neural tube is responsible for the entire central nervous system, as well as the brain and the heart1.
It forms from the outside in, that is, it begins from an outer wall and closes at the end of formation, leaving small scars during fetal development, in the groove below the nose and the buttocks. The neural tube looks like a Chinese fortune cookie, and it will change as development continues.
The top will be the head, the middle will be the trunk, and the end, where it closes, will be the buttocks and legs. At this early stage, you can already identify where the baby’s head and bottom will be. It’s important to note that at 22 days post-fertilization, the baby already has a well-advanced blueprint of their spinal column, brain, neurons, and internal organs, which are still tiny, clustered, primary cells with no defined shape.
Explanatory video:
At 27 days after fertilization, the baby already has a formed spinal column, from the cervical to the coccyx. You can spot what looks like a vestigial tail, which will soon no longer be visible. The head at this stage is quite identifiable and even looks very similar to the early development stages of other mammals. From this moment, human features will start to stand out.
At 5 weeks of pregnancy, the baby already has a developing heart, eye cavity, ear cavity, mouth cavity, and nostrils.
The Importance of the Neural Tube and the Baby’s Health
The correct formation of the baby’s neural tube is fundamental for health in the womb, but especially for the rest of their life. If something goes wrong at any stage of development, the baby may be born with malformations affecting various aspects2:
- Poor cranial closure
- Anencephaly or encephalocele: absence of closure at the top of the skull, above the eyes. This malformation can also bring neurological problems.
- Hydrocephalus: accumulation of fluid between the brain and skull. This condition will cause abnormal growth of the skullcap.
Problems can also arise in the spine, such as:
- Spina bifida, meningocele, or meningomyelocele: all due to incomplete or non-closure of the lower part of the neural tube.
Other problems may also occur, such as paralysis of the lower part of the body.
How to Prevent Neural Tube Malformation?
Fortunately, it is possible to prevent the problem of neural tube malformation. Taking common vitamins, such as folic acid, makes a total difference. Folic acid works in the mother’s body, helping in the creation of enzymes (hemoglobin molecules) that enhance proper fetal development3.
In addition, it helps produce red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body. But to get the full benefits of folic acid for your body and for healthy formation of the baby’s neural tube, you need to start taking it 1 to 3 months before getting pregnant.
Since folic acid is not a medication, it can be taken for a long period without risk of side effects or problems with drug interactions. Ideally, you should take at least 240 micrograms of folic acid daily or in the form of Calcium L-Methylfolate, which is the enzyme-converted folic acid that is absorbed by the body.
See also: Folic Acid in Pregnancy Prevents Malformation
Photo: Dr. Vilas gayakwad
