Pregnancy

In the beginning… Conception begins with an ovum (female sex cell) and a sperm (the male sex cell) These sex cells combine beginning the development process.

Stages of Development Many changes happed between conception and birth, we call this prenatal development. The process from conception until birth lasts approximately 38 weeks. Some babies are born sooner, which can add complications. ( low birth weight, under developed lungs, immature organs)

Conception terms The ovum (eggs) are stored inside of a follicle. When a women ovulates that egg is released. The fallopian tubes have finger like projections that gather the ovum(s) Once inside the tube to makes its way down the tube. The sperm meets the ovum. About 100 million sperm enter the body, but only the strongest one with successfully penetrate and fertilize the egg. (zygote)

The uterus will become the “home” of the fertilized egg, once it implants one week later. The uterus is usually about the size of a small orange and eventually will swell to the size of a watermelon in order to hold the baby. If two or more eggs were fertilized, it will be considered a multiple pregnancy. ( twins, triplets, etc) If one egg was fertilized and then split into two it will result in identical twins ( will be same sex)

Once week after conception the chorion and amnion begin to form. They will protect the egg/fetus until birth. ( THE MOM PROBABLY DOESN’T EVEN KNOW SHE IS PREGNANT YET) The placenta begins formation and the umbilical cord forms connecting the baby to the placenta. The placenta has many functions including providing oxygen, removing waste products, providing hormones for growth and providing nutrition.

Stages of Prenatal Development Germinal: conception- 14 days Embryonic: day weeks Fetal: 9 weeks-birth