The Heartwarming Early Signs of Pregnancy

by Jessica

There are several early signs of pregnancy, which delight parents-to-be with increasing hope, before the final joyful confirmation of the new life growing within the mother. different women have different reactions, but generally, there are ten factors, each of which is considered an early symptom.

The First Signs of A new Life

A missed period is the most common early sign of pregnancy, although this can also be due to other reasons like stress, medication or illness as well. some women have faint spotting and minor cramps soon after implantation of the sperm in the wall of the uterus. This is nothing like a normal period; bleeding is much lighter.

Soon after conception, the breasts of most pregnant women enlarge. Soreness is also a regular symptom. Another symptom of pregnancy is increased dark pigments in the skin surrounding the nipples, or areolas.

From about a fortnight after conception onwards, many women fall victim to the least pleasant part of pregnancy – morning sickness. This early sign of pregnancy can occur throughout the day, although most mothers-to-be feel queasy only during the first few months of pregnancy, many also suffer from nausea for almost nine months.

The fourth early symptom is fatigue. Extreme tiredness and exhaustion without real cause can be indicative of pregnancy soon after conception.

Backaches are another unpleasant early signs of pregnancy – lower back pain which is common in the first few months, often subsides to a less painful, but constant pain in the latter part of the pregnancy. Headaches, due to hormonal changes taking place in a pregnant woman’s body, can also occur soon after conception.

Women who are expecting start urinating more often than usual, mainly about 45 days after the baby has been conceived. This is another sign of conception.

Everyone knows about the uncontrollable desire to eat certain foods. some women crave sour things like pickle or chutney, while others demand sweets. This is not only an early sign of pregnancy; it lasts throughout the nine month gestation period.

Are Congratulations In Order?

Like delayed or missed menstruation, all these early signs of pregnancy could have other explanations such as a hormonal imbalance, drastic weight gain or loss, dehydration, infections and so on. However, if you experience more than one or two of these factors, there is a good chance that you are pregnant, and should take a test to confirm.

The Heartwarming Early Signs of Pregnancy


The Stages of Fetal Development During Pregnancy

by

As a baby grows in the womb, it undergoes many changes. While medical professionals tend to use 40 weeks of gestation as their reference, many people measure pregnancy in months. The stages of fetal development are three major divisions, which are conception, the embryonic period, and the fetal period.

Conception occurs of course when the sperm meets the egg and the egg becomes fertilized. After that the egg needs to travel down the fallopian tube, into the uterus, and implant itself onto the uterine wall.

The next stage, the embryonic period, is the most critical time in fetal development, as the cells that will make up the placenta and those that will make up the baby divide and form, with all major systems are experiencing their foundational development. This stage lasts from week 2 till around week 11. By the sixth week, a heartbeat can be detected, and limbs begin to form.

At week eight, teeth begin to form under the gums, and intestines start to take shape. By the end of this stage, major organs will have begun to develop, as well as the central nervous system. Joints will have developed, as well as the first signs of the irises.

After the 11th week, the embryo is now called a fetus, and begins the last and longest of the stages of fetal development. From week 11 to 16, the fetus will develop genitals, hair, vocal chords, and even nails. Kidneys and the liver begin functioning, and bones start to harden.

From week 16 to 20, the fetus will undergo a major growth spurt, with fat developing under a thin skin. The fetus’s heart will pump 25 quarts of blood daily. Waste product begins accumulating in the bowel.

And the fetus will start to be awake and asleep for periods resembling that of a newborn, even hiccuping at times.

Development slows from weeks 21 to 24. By the end of this period, eyelids and eyebrows should be completely formed, and if a male, testes will start do descend. The fetus will weigh around 1.3 pounds by week 24.

In weeks 25 to 28, the baby continues to grow and develop. Ligaments form, and the nostrils open. The retinas form, and eyes can be completely opened. Lung development proceeds quickly during this period, in preparation for breathing air at birth.

A baby born at week 28 has a 90% chance of survival, though breathing would likely be an issue.

From week 29 till birth, nearly all fetal development is concentrated on the lungs. All the other major systems and organs are essentially complete.

The baby must also fatten up and develop immunities against the environment outside the shelter of the womb. By week 37, the baby’s weight will increase by about 1 ounce a day. Also by week 37, the pregnancy is considered to be full-term, and a baby delivered from this point on should have no developmental complications.

The Stages of Fetal Development During Pregnancy