Final answer:
Prenatal care is recommended to start by 8-10 weeks gestation for the health and development of both the mother and fetus during the crucial early stages of pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prenatal care should be initiated in the first trimester and ideally by 8-10 weeks gestation. This early start is crucial for monitoring the health of both the mother and the developing fetus and can significantly reduce the risk of complications. It provides an opportunity for healthcare providers to give important nutritional guidance, ensure the proper intake of supplements like folic acid, and prevent exposure to harmful substances. Additionally, this period aligns with the embryonic stage, just after the organism is referred to as an embryo (up until 8 weeks), transitioning into the fetal stage at the beginning of the 9th week of gestation, when rapid body, brain, and organ growth take place.