Pregnancy

Pregnancy is measured in trimesters from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) and normally lasts about 40 weeks from conception to the birth of the baby. This time is roughly divided into 3 periods: the first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester.

The Three Stages of Pregnancy

The first trimester is measures from conception to about the 12th week of pregnancy. The second trimester is from 13 to 17 weeks and the third trimester is from 28 weeks of pregnancy until birth.

First Trimester Fertilization (About 2 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period): The

mother's body releases an egg, which is fertilized by a sperm. The fertilized egg has the 46 chromosomes needed to determine height, hair color, and sex. The egg begins to divide, and begins its trip down the mother's fallopian tube toward the uterus.

Implantation (About 5-7 days after fertilization): The egg attaches to the lining of the uterus during the first trimester of pregnancy. The fertilized egg begins to grow and doubles in size every day. The placenta and umbilical cord begin to form and carry nourishment and oxygen to the fetus and carry waste away

Week 4Week 4 (2 weeks after conception): This is

about the time that the mother misses her period. The embryo is about 1/100 of an inch long at this time. The baby has a spinal cord, and is dividing into three layers that will become the different organs and systems in the embryo.

Week 6(4 weeks after conception): The embryo is about

1/6 inch long.

Limb buds, which will become the legs and arms begin to appear.

The embryo’s brain and heart have begun to form

Second Month At the beginning of this month, the embryo is

about 1/2 inch long and weighs a fraction of an ounce. The heart beats with a regular rhythm

By the end of the second month, all of the major body organs and body systems have begun to develop.

The face and eyelids have formed

The arms and legs begin to grow longer and the fingers and toes have begun to form.

Third Month The embryo is now officially called a fetus, and will be

completely formed by the end of this month.

The fetus is beginning to move its hands and legs, and opening and closing its mouth.

Fingers and toes are now distinct, and hair is beginning to form on the head.

By the end of this month, the fetus will be about 4 inches long and weigh just over an ounce.

The external sex organs show if the fetus is male or female

Eyelids close to protect the developing eyes and will not open again until the 28th week

Second TrimesterThe uterus, the muscular organ that holds the

developing fetus, can expand up to 20 times its normal size during pregnancy.

Although the fetus begins to move and takes recognizable human shape during the first trimester, it is not until the second trimester that movement of the fetus, referred to as “quickening”, can be felt.

16 weeksThe muscle tissue and bone continue to form,

creating a more complete skeleton

Skin begins to form

The fetus reaches the length of about 4-5 inches and weighs almost 3 oz

20 weeksThe fetus is covered by fine hair and eyebrows,

eyelashes, fingernails, and toenails have formed

the fetus can hear and swallow

24 WeeksTaste buds form on the fetus’s tongue

Footprints and fingerprints have formed

The fetus sleeps and wakes regularly

The fetus stores fat and has become about 1.5 pounds

Third TrimesterThere is head engagement in the third trimester,

that is, the fetal head descends into the pelvic cavity so that only a small part (or none) of it can be felt abdominally. The perenium and cervix are further flattened and the head may be felt vaginally. Head engagement is known colloquially as the baby drop, and in natural medicine as the lightening because of the release of pressure on the upper abdomen and renewed ease in breathing. However, it severely reduces bladder capacity, increases pressure on the pelvic floor and the rectum

32 WeeksThe fetus’s bones are fully formed, but still soft

The eyes can open and close and sense changes in light

The lungs are not fully formed by breathing movements occur

36 WeeksThe protective waxy coating called vernix gets

thicker

Body fat increases and the fetus is now 16- 19 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds

37-40 WeeksBy the end of 37 weeks the fetus is considered

full term.