Following Pregnancy - Week By Week

The Growth of a Child In Its First Home

Pregnancy week by week, closely followed can be very fascinating to know, since it shows the development of the child little by little. It can be divided into three trimesters. The first trimester consists of the first three months, the second of the next three months, and the third from the sixth month till the due date. Usually a pregnancy lasts anywhere 38-42 weeks.

1) The first week is actually the menstrual period. Since the expected due date is calculated from the last day of the period, even though the baby hasn’t yet been conceived.

2) In this week, egg fertilization by the sperm takes place only at the end. So you may still not know you are pregnant. The sex of the baby is determined by the end of fertilization. This is the mid point of the menstrual cycle where the lining of the uterus is developing to nourish the baby.

3) At this stage, you may still not know you are pregnant. Nearly a day after fertilization, the fertilized egg divides itself into two and continues to divide while traveling through the fallopian tube to the uterus. When it reaches the uterus, it has become a ball of cells and this is called a morula. At the end of this week, the morula attaches itself to the uterus lining. This is termed as implantation.

4) In the fourth week, it develops into an embryo, which is made up of two cells, and which will eventually develop into the baby’s organs and body parts. Since the baby produces a hormone called the human chorionic gonadotropin, it is at this time the ovary stops releasing an egg every month, and monthly periods stop taking place. It is at this time you may realize you are pregnant.

5) At this point the baby’s heart is formed by the bulge in the center of the embryo. Now the placenta develops.

6) By week six, the baby’s brain and nervous system begin developing. The baby’s heartbeat can also be detected by an ultrasound. Digestive and respiratory systems also start forming. This is when symptoms like morning sickness and frequent urination can occur.

7) In this week, the umbilical cord is formed, which provides oxygen and nourishment to your baby, and helps in disposing of the baby’s wastes. The lungs also begin to form.

8) Fingers and toes begin to form, and the eyes become obvious. The baby’s genitals also start to form, although sex determination is not possible at this stage. At this stage you can get your pregnancy confirmed by a urine test.

9) In this week, the baby’s head is growing in contrast to the body. Muscles develop and may cause the baby to make some first movements.

10) This is the end of the embryonic period. The baby now has a distinctively human appearance

11) To accommodate for the rapidly growing baby in size, the placenta increase in number and size.

12) The baby’s kidneys are functioning, and it will not be able to pass urine. This is the end of the first trimester.

13) The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to your baby.

14) The baby’s thyroid glands develop

15) The baby’s internal skeletal system develops. Muscle development continues.

16) Development of facial muscles takes place.

17) Placenta grows and contains numerous blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen to the baby’s developing body from your body.

18) Ears move to their position, and your baby will now start hearing your heartbeat and even get startled by loud noises. The bones begin to harden.

19) This week brings about the development of brown fat to keep the baby warm.

20) Nails and hair grow. This week marks the mid point of your pregnancy.

21) The intestines and bone marrow spaces develop.

22) Taste buds, brain and nerve ending form. The reproductive system is developed according to the sex of the baby.

23) The baby moves its muscles in the fingers, toes as a result of which you might feel its movements forcefully now and then.

24) The baby’s lungs are developing the capacity to produce a substance that keeps the air sacs in the lungs from collapsing thereby letting us breathe with ease.

25) Since the hearing is developed, your baby will hear when you talk to it. Nostrils also start to open.

26) Hair grows on the head, and eyelashes are formed.

27) The lungs continue to develop, and if born at this stage, there is a chance for survival.

28) The position of the baby can be determined at this stage, whether it is bottom first or head first, although the baby may change its position by itself later.

29) The baby is active, and you can feel its hard movements in your belly.

30) In order to breathe on its own after birth, the baby will copy breathing movements in your diaphragm.

31) By now the baby is urinating after swallowing the fluid in the sac.

32) Eyelashes, eyebrows and hair are evident.

33) Your baby can listen, and react to light.

34) By now most babies are in a position for delivery.

35) The baby’s growth may make it hard for it to move, but the movements may be more powerful. If in a head first position, the pressure may lay on the pubic bone of the mother.

36) There are sucking muscles and fat on the baby’s face.

37) The baby has developed coordination and can respond to bright light.

38) The baby’s first bowel movement takes place.

39) The soft hair covering the baby’s body has mostly disappeared.

40) You could be delivering your baby this week, or not, because most deliver at 42 weeks also. The baby’s skin may be dry and have patches, but that is normal.

Following pregnancy week by week is different for every woman. Every woman has a different experience. Although it is advisable to keep check on your pregnancy progress, it is also advisable to not get too paranoid, if your doctor tells you there is nothing to worry about. At the end of nine months, rest assured, you will have a beautiful and healthy baby.

Double Checking For A Twin Pregnancy

How to Find Out if You’re Carrying Twins

So your bundle of joy is about to come. Or is it a double bundle? How do you know if yours is a twin pregnancy? While the symptoms may vary in individual cases, there are some indicators that could help you determine if you are carrying twins.

There are various tests conducted by your obstetrician, which can help detect a twin pregnancy. One such test is the HcG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level. This hormone can be detected in a pregnant woman’s blood or urine about 10 days after conception. Higher levels of HcG may be indicative of a twin pregnancy. Besides this, the AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) test which screens for birth defects may show positive or high results in a twin pregnancy. Another possible indicator is a Doppler heartbeat test, which uses sound waves to detect an additional heartbeat. However the surest way to confirm a twin pregnancy is by doing an ultrasound check, which will show up the images in black and white.

These tests apart, there are other symptoms you can watch out for. The most commonly reported indicator is excessive fatigue. Nurturing an extra life can take its toll, resulting in more fatigue than usual in a pregnant woman. Pregnancy symptoms in general may be exaggerated in case of twin pregnancy. This includes morning sickness, uterus size that expands to larger size than normal for the gestational age, and weight gain, which may be more than in the case of a single pregnancy.

While these in themselves do not confirm a twin pregnancy they can be highly indicative. Sometimes a family predisposition to multiple pregnancies or just a womanly intuition may be signal enough for a twin pregnancy that you can follow up with your doctor.

The chances of twin pregnancy increase if you’re over thirty, and if you have a family history of multiple pregnancies. Multiple pregnancies have increased in recent times, mainly due to increased age at conception. Many women are putting off childbearing till their post thirties due to career demands. Age-related hormonal changes, and fertility treatment can lead to twin or multiple pregnancies.

Whatever be the cause, a twin pregnancy calls for extra care as it is not one but two lives that are growing inside you. Take the best care you can of yourself and your babies and be prepared for one of life’s greatest miracles coming your way not as just one but two bundles of joy.

The Psychology Of The Pregnancy Period

How to Be Mentally Prepared for Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a crucial event in a woman’s life. The immense responsibility of nurturing a new life can spark off many doubts and uncertainties throughout the pregnancy period. While some women may handle pregnancy quite naturally, for others the pregnancy period can be a stressful time, especially if it’s the first child. Make sure you discuss your doubts in detail with your doctor both before and during your pregnancy. Keeping yourself well informed about the various aspects of pregnancy can help you deal with it in a better and less stressful way.

Facts And Beliefs Of Pregnancy Labor

Sweet is fruit of labor, and the same can be true for pregnancy labor. This is a culmination of a nine-month period of apprehension, anxiety, and wait for your bundle of joy. This is the also most trying period of a young woman’s life. The end result maybe sweet, but pregnancy labor is undeniable the most painful part. And there are as many opinions and advices as the number of women who have undergone labor pain.

Here, I would like to talk about the many beliefs associated with pregnancy labor. It is popularly believed that having sexual intercourse may hasten up labor. Some even believe that brisk walking or power walking (as they say) nipple stimulation or even eating spicy foods or a pineapple help in inducing natural labor. Yet, some recommend administering enema or having castor oil. But all the aforementioned methods evoke a mixed opinion among doctors and midwives.

Though it is a fact that pregnancy labor takes it own natural course between 38 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. It usually begins with the dilation of the cervix form zero to ten centimeters and this period is the longest in pregnancy labor. And then begins the painful stage of contractions spaced 5 minutes apart lasting a minute or so. But a woman’s body is undoubtedly the most wonderful creation of God. It has its own way of enduring this pain. Though, it also helps to have a supportive husband and research proves that it helps in reducing the need for pain relief drugs by almost 60%.

Although epidurals help in alleviating pregnancy labor to a large extent, it is not entirely risk free. Moreover, it robs a woman of a chance of having a healthy baby. Epidurals are harmful to newborns, exposing them to risk of maternal fever and poor nursing behavior. Usually these babies are so sleepy that they do not nurse well and thus affects the lactating ability of the mother.

However, epidurals maybe useful in times of prolonged pregnancy labor, where the woman is so exhausted that she can push no more. In such cases, epidurals may help the woman in providing rest and may continue with labor after the effect of the epidural wears off.

The advantages of natural means of inducing labor, however, are many. Pregnancy labor can be alleviated by taking good care all throughout the pregnancy. Regular exercises, yoga for pregnancy, walking, intake of diet rich in multivitamins, folic acid, and iron supplements help in having a safe and exhilarating experience of child birth.