Which stage of prenatal development culminates with the birth of the baby?

The fetal stage of prenatal development is the correct choice because it represents the final and longest phase of prenatal growth, during which the developing baby undergoes significant maturation and growth in preparation for life outside the womb. This stage begins around the ninth week of pregnancy and continues until birth, encompassing critical developments such as the growth of body systems, the development of facial features, and the increase in size. By the end of the fetal stage, the baby is fully developed and ready to be born, making this stage pivotal in the overall prenatal development process.

The embryonic stage occurs earlier in pregnancy, from about the second to the eighth week, and is characterized by the formation of major organs and structures, rather than the growth and maturation seen in the fetal stage. The germinal stage is even earlier, lasting from conception to approximately the second week, involving the initial cell divisions and the formation of the zygote. The neonatal stage does not apply here as it refers to the period immediately after birth rather than a stage of prenatal development. Thus, the fetal stage is the culminating phase that leads directly to the birth of the baby.