The term "pre-natal" typically refers to the period of time before a child is born, including the development and growth of the fetus in the womb. There are several synonyms that can be used to describe this stage of pregnancy, including antenatal, prenatal, and embryonic. Antenatal refers specifically to the period of time before a child is born, while prenatal can refer to both the period before and after conception. Embryonic refers to the earliest stage of development, from the time of fertilization to around eight weeks of pregnancy. All of these terms refer to the important and complex stage of pregnancy when a baby's growth and development is at its most critical.