The Miracle of Life

• We start out as 2 nuclei in search of each other.• They meet, merge and the miracle of life begins.• We become a zygote,• A blastocyst,• An embryo,• And a fetus.• There is so much that can happen to us, in the 40

weeks we are developing;• And yet…we arrive…we are all miracles!

Confused about “age since conception”, LMP, and due dates?

Pregnancy lasts 40 weeks.

But, I thought it was 9 months which would only be 36 weeks…

What accounts for the discrepancy?

And the answer is…And the answer is…

• When we're talking about the typical 40 weeks of pregnancy – it starts on the it starts on the first day of your period.first day of your period. Yes, it's true that you're not actually pregnant yet, but most caregivers count everything from this day, anyhow. The number of weeks passed, based on the 40 week term from your last menstrual period (also known as your "LMP" date), is called "menstrual age."

ConceptionConception

Sperm penetrates the egg cell membrane.

  

300-700,000,000 sperm are released in one ejaculation. Only several hundred actually survive the journey to the egg. Only one sperm… the grand prize winnerthe grand prize winner!…fertilizes the egg. Once one sperm penetrates the outside of the egg cell, the outer rim of the egg cell hardens preventing any other sperm from penetrating.

             

                                    

4 Cell Blastocyst

8 Cell Blastocyst

Once cell cleavage (division) starts several hours after fertilization, the cell is now called a

blastocyst

In-vitro fertilization= cell surrounded by sperm

Week 4Fetal development — 4 weeks

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

Week 4 (Menstrual Age) 2 weeks after conception      Now considered an embryo     1/100 of an inch long- the width of 3 hairs     Looks like a tiny tadpole     Placenta is beginning to form.     Period is due soon…this will be one of the 1st signs that you are pregnant.

Week 5 3 weeks after conception      Heart is ¾ ways formed and will begin beating this week.     Brain, cardiovascular, nervous system, and reproductive systems are developing.     Baby becomes pear-shaped- rounded end will become head while the pointed end becomes your spine     .05-.09 inches in lengthsymptoms= sore breasts, unusually tired, morning sickness

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

Fetal development — 8 weeks

                                                                                          

                                                                                                              

Week 8 6 weeks after conception

 

Ø     Baby now 1/3 inch long and weighs about 1 gram

Ø     Little fingers and toes are beginning to appear

Ø     Early tongue and 20 teeth buds are in his mouth

Ø     Now has nostrils

Ø     Back muscles are growing along the spinal column

Ø     Reproductive organs are beginning to form and will soon become testes or ovaries

Ø     Bone ossification (bones getting hard)

Ø     Umbilical cord is starting to function

Ultrasound will show heart beats and reflex movements

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

Week 10 8 weeks after conception

Baby is 1 1/5 inches long

Head takes up about half of that size

Weighs less than an ½ ounce- about the weight of 4 paper clips

 Circulatory, nervous, repro and digestive systems are fully formed during this week.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

WEEK 12 10 Weeks after conception

   Baby is about 2.5 inches long from head to rump

   Weighs about 1.5 ounces

   Heart beat detectable with heart monitor- heart is pumping several quarts of blood through baby’s body// once you hear this sound, your risk of miscarriage drops

   Baby’s fingers and toes have separated (no longer webbed)

   Hair and nails continue to grow

Fetal development — 16 weeks

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

a   Baby is about 4-4 ¾ inches long, weighs about 3-4 ounces

a   Nails are well formed

a   Emptying his bladder every 40-45 minutes.

a   Limb movements becoming more coordinated and vigorous

a   Movements can be seen on ultrasound

a   Head is erect

a   Can see gender on ultrasound

a   Symptoms= you may be able to feel movements, your heart enlarges to increase blood flow (about 20% more blood, may lead to bloody noses

Fetal development — 20 weeks

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

a  Weighs 10 ounces, about 6 ¼ inches long

a  You can feel him moving. Probably can tell when he’s awake or sleeping

a  In last 4 weeks baby has quadrupled his weight

a  Baby has started to practice breathing motions, even though lungs are immature. (Could not breathe if born now)

a  Fine hair- lanugo- covers the whole body

a  Ears are fully functional now and can hear things in the uterus

Fetal development — 24 weeks

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

Your baby is almost completely formed. He is now between 1.25 and 1.5 pounds and is about a foot long.

He will continue to gain weight in muscles, developing organs and the deposit of brown fat. The purpose of the brown fat is to retain body heat. Newborns are notoriously bad at regulating body temperature at first. This is particularly a problem for a baby born early. Changes are occurring in lung development so that some babies are able to survive. Surviving babies may have disabilities and require long-term intensive care. If your baby was born now, he would probably stay in the NICU until his official due date.

Your baby is totally unaffected by the Braxton Hicks, or practice, contractions you may be having as well.

The eyes are partially open and can perceive light. Your baby's eye lashes and eye brows continue to grow and subcutaneous fat is deposited. If you have a baby boy, his testes will probably begin descending. About 9 out of 10 babies born now will survive with intensive care services and the help of medical technology. Your baby is almost 15 inches and weighs over two pounds.

                                                                                           

                               

WEEK 28

Just about an inch short of being a foot long, your little one weighs more than 3 pounds already. He keeps busy... napping. In fact, he's doing that about 90 to 95 percent of the time. Some moms theorize that he's making up now for the sleep neither of you are going to get in a couple months.

                                                                                           

                               

Fetal development — 32 weeks

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

WEEK 36Your baby continues to put on weight by about 1/2 pound each week. Its no wonder the womb is becoming very cramped. Your baby is gaining weight quickly because layers of fat pile on and help in both body temperature regulation and developing his immunity in preparation for life in the outside world. You may find you are carrying your baby much lower now (or soon will be) as the baby drops into the birth canal, readying himself for birth. Your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs from 5.5 to 6.0 pounds. The vast majority of babies born now will live with little need for intensive medical treatment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

WEEK 40

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

Congratulations! Your baby is full term and ready to be born at any time. This is the last week of pregnancy, or is it? If your baby doesn't come this week, don't worry. It's normal for due dates to be off a little and before you know it, your little one will be here. Babies come on their own time. You won't actually be "past due" until you hit 42 weeks. Just try to relax and take it easy. Your baby is about 20 inches long and may weigh as much as 7 or 8 pounds.

First Stage of LaborWhat's Happening

•The cervix begins to soften, thin and move forward, and it may begin to or as pressure in the lower open.

The baby settles into the pelvis. •Contractions may be noticeable as an achy sensation abdomen or lower back. Contractions in this phase are usually irregular -- starting and stopping, sometimes

strong, sometimes mild. This is natural and your body's way of "gearing up."

•This phase can last from a few hours to a few days. What Helps

•Don't worry whether or not this is really labor. For the vast majority, labor eventually makes itself very clear. •Try to be patient and have confidence that your body

is doing exactly what it needs to do. •Take good care of yourself: Eat, drink plenty of fluids,

rest. •Do things you enjoy: Watch TV, visit with family or

friends, take a walk. •Surround yourself with people with whom you feel

comfortable and safe. Your support people can help by keeping you company, keeping your spirits up and

providing reassurance.

Early Labor-Latent StageEarly Labor (Latent Phase)

What's Happening •The cervix continues to thin out and open, dilating to

three to four centimeters. •Labor is meant to be gradual, so this phase may take quite a while -- usually about two-thirds the total labor time. Over a period of several hours, contractions will become longer, stronger and more regular (about five

minutes apart, each one lasting 25 to 45 seconds). •The pinkish vaginal discharge (called "show") usually

increases as labor progresses. What Helps

•It can be hard to believe that "this is it." Take time to settle down and work with the labor.

•Once again, the best thing to do is to take good care of yourself: Alternate rest and activity (for instance, take a nice walk followed by a relaxing shower), eat

easily digested foods (such as tea and toast) and drink plenty of fluids.

•Many women find being at home -- where they can easily move about and do things for themselves -- the

best place to be during this phase. •When contractions become so strong that you can’t

talk through them anymore, begin using the relaxation and breathing strategies that you learned in childbirth classes. Your support people should be nearby, helping

you to stay calm and confident. •Keep the environment pleasant and calm -- perhaps listen to music, get a nice shoulder massage, prepare

last-minute things for the baby.

Active LaborActive Labor

What's Happening •Contractions continue to become longer and

stronger, eventually about three minutes apart and lasting for a minute or more.

•During this phase, which generally takes from two to six hours, the cervix effaces dilates to

about eight centimeters. •Women in active labor usually get serious and

focused. Labor is very hard work. What Helps

•Now labor has real momentum. Develop a rhythm with your labor: Do something active

during the contractions -- such as using a breathing pattern, movement or sound -- and

rest between contractions. •As the strength of the contractions increases, so

does your need for support. All present should focus their attention on supporting you.

•Changing positions frequently not only helps you stay more comfortable, it also enhances

progress. •The environment can influence your labor.

Make it peaceful and personalize it with music, dim lights, etc.

TRANSITIONTransition

What's Happening •The cervix finishes dilating and begins making

the transition from opening to pushing. •Contractions are now powerful and efficient, so this phase is usually quite short (less than one

hour). •Some women feel nauseous or shaky, restless

or irritable. What Helps

•To keep from feeling overwhelmed, focus on one contraction at a time.

•Continue with breathing, vocalization (if it helps) and rhythmic movement.

•Even though rest periods are short, you can relax deeply during them and restore yourself.

•Those providing labor support should offer close, undivided attention, gentle, unwavering encouragement and praise. If you're using a breathing pattern, your support should try

"conducting" to help you focus or should move with you in rhythm to your breathing.

SECOND STAGE OF LABORBirth

What's Happening

•The baby makes its way through the pelvis and birth canal.

•This phase can last from 15 minutes to several hours.

•Although it may take several contractions after full dilation to be noticeable, most women get an

urge to bear down -- your body is giving you clear instructions about what to do. The urge to

push usually gets stronger as the baby descends. •Many women feel more clearheaded and have a

renewed sense of optimism when pushing begins. You will meet your baby soon!

•Just before the baby is born, you may feel a burning, stinging, stretching sensation at the

vaginal opening -- a sure sign that you're almost there!

•As the baby’s head emerges, it turns to one side to allow the shoulders to align, then the rest

of the baby's body slips out.

THIRD STAGE OF LABOR

RecoveryWhat's Happening

•The cord is cut, and the baby is placed on your abdomen.

•What a mix of feelings: excitement, joy, awe -- and relief!

•The placenta is delivered -- usually within the first ten minutes, but it occasionally takes longer. •Your caregiver will complete whatever care (if

any) needs to be done. Cold compresses are often applied to the perineum to ease discomfort

and reduce swelling. •Many women get afterpains or "the shakes"

after birth.

THE BEGINNING…THE BEGINNING…