Our latest educational tool to teach fetal development is a classic Childbirth Graphics resource brought back by popular demand: Womb to Grow Model Set! Read on to learn more about this engaging pregnancy education resource designed with expectant teen moms in mind but perfect for adult couples, too!

As a childbirth educator, Theresa Erichsen, RN, BSN, LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC, found that her students were often put off by the scientific, technical appearance of many teaching aids. To answer the need for pregnancy teaching tools that were simple and non-threatening (particularly for teen expectant mothers), Erichsen developed the concept for the Womb to Grow Model Set.

Effective in its simplicity, the Womb to Grow Model Set includes nine weighted, pillowlike models each representing the average size and weight of a fetus at one of nine stages of development. The front of each model features a simple drawing of the developmental stage. The back of each model has information on the developmental stage of the fetus illustrated on the front. The nine models represent fetal development at 4–6 weeks, 9–12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 36 weeks, and 40 weeks. Although the embryo model (4–6 weeks) is larger and heavier than the actual size and weight of a human embryo, the other eight models depict the actual size and weight of fetal development at the stage they represent. Weights of the models range from 0.4 g to 7 lb.

Whether used with expectant teens or adult couples, the versatile set has multiple educational applications. The detailed, included presenter’s notes offer a variety of teaching applications to discuss fetal growth and development, prenatal care and nutrition, the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, avoiding harmful substances (such as drugs and alcohol), and the stages of labor and delivery. The flexible format of the set ensures that educators can come up with many additional ways to teach with the models, including illustrations of infant care techniques with the full-term model. No matter how the models are used, their unique ability to make fetal development a tactile reality is a great way to start parent-and-infant bonding!

Learn more about the Womb to Grow Model Set and our other great pregnancy education in our pregnancy education materials section. And, don’t forget to check out our other great new and updated childbirth education tools.

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