YOU AND YOUR GROWING BABY (WEEKS 0-40)

YOU AND YOUR GROWING BABY (WEEKS 0-40)

The first phase (weeks 0-12)

Pregnancy is divided into three phases, or trimesters. In the first, from conception until about twelve weeks, much of the hard work of growing a baby takes place.

WEKS 0-4E

The length of your pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your last period. The egg (ovum) is released from the ovary in the middle of the menstrual cycle (usually at around day fourteen). The sperm swim towards the egg, and surround it in the outer part of one of the fallopian tubes. Once one sperm has penetrate the egg, the egg’s surface changes to prevent other sperm getting through, and the fertilized egg journeys on down the tube. Six day after fertilization it has become a ball of cells that burrows into the lining of the uterus.

                Your may begin to notice slight changes, perhaps in your sense of taste, some breast tenderness, or feelings of nausea.

WEEKS 5-8

Major changes now occur as the blueprint for your baby is laid down. His main organs begin to grow and the nervous system develops. The heart begins to beat at about week six and the limbs are developing. At first they look a bit like flippers, but gradually knee and elbow joints are formed. The face also begins to develop and the mouth and tongue are already visible.

                Many women now notice they are pregnant. Your breasts may start to grow and

you may feel tired and nauseous and go off certain foods like coffee and alcohol.

WEEKS 9-12

The embryo begins to look more like a baby now and is technically called a fetus. During this time all the major organs such as the lungs, kidneys and liver are formed. The skeleton begins to develop too. The ears and nose can be recognized, and the eyes are forming, but still closed. Fingers and toes are growing, and the baby even has the beginnings of external genital organs. He is floating about in amniotic fluid, which acts as a shock-absorber to protect him from bumps and falls.

                You may find that any feelings of nausea begin to abate at this stage.

Your baby at week 12

Length: 3in

Weight: 1oz

1.       Stomach

2.       Intestine

3.       Fetus

4.       Uterus

5.       Bladder

6.       Cervix (neck of the womb)

7.       Vagina

The second phase (weeks 13-28)

The middle months of pregnancy are often the most comfortable. Sickness and tiredness usually improve, your body begins to grow and become quite rounded, and many couples feel they can make real plans for the baby, now that the pregnancy feels firmly established.

WEEKS 13-18

Your baby now looks like a baby, but in miniature. All the major organs begin to work, including the kidneys. Your baby makes breathing-like movements. These are not real breathing, as the lungs will not expand and work until after he is born.

                His finger- and toenails have formed and eyebrows and eyelashes are beginning to grow. The baby’s skin is covered with vernix, a white greasy substance that protects him in his watery environment. A fine downy hair also grows, called lanugos. He still has plenty of room to move around, and many mothers notice the first fetal movements at around eighteen weeks. Sometimes it is difficult to be sure that it really is the baby moving. The feeling can be so tiny, and so strange, almost like butterflies or bubbles in the stomach.

WEEKS 19-24

By now the baby is growing hair on his head, and may weigh around 1 lb and be about 12in long. There is still more fluid than baby, and he can easily turn around inside you. You may notice quite large movements and your partner or other children may be able to feel them if they place their hand on your bare skin. The baby can now react to outside influences and you may notice that be becomes much more active when you have a bath, or play loud music. You may find indigestion a problem and eating small frequent meal may help.

WEEKS 25-28

By now the baby weighs almost as much as a bag of sugar, around 21b, and is about 16in long. He is now laying down fat reserves under the skin, although despite this he still looks very red in comparison to a full-term baby. He may have definite period of rest and activity. Some babies seem to kick and move around at the same time each day, and they then have set times when they keep still, and possible are asleep.

                His eyes are open, and he may respond to the small amounts of light filtering through the stretched abdominal muscles. He can suck his thumb, and may even get hiccups. This is a strange sensation for the mother, almost as if he were giving little regular kicks in the same place.

Your baby at week 28

Length: 16in

Weight: 2ib

The third phase (weeks 29-40)

Reaching thirty weeks often feels like being on the home stretch; you can count the weeks until the baby arrives in single figures, and your plans become more definite. You may look forward to giving up word as you become bigger and need to rest more often. Listen to your body; some women are still full of energy, and quite happy working and keeping active. Others however, find that they need to slow down, and begin to focus their attention on the baby.

WEEKS 29-32

Your baby is very well developed now. He can swallow, hear, suck his thumb, recognize your voice, and, if he were born now, would have a good chance of survival. However, the best place for him over the next few weeks is undoubtedly inside you, where he is safe, secure and continues to grow. He weighs over 3Ib now and may be about 18in. long.

                You may notice that the baby’s movements change as he gets bigger. He has less room to move around now, but you may be able to identify which is a foot kicking and which is as elbow poking. Ask your doctor to show you what position the baby is lying in. she can guide your hands to feel the head, and trace the smooth roundness of the back.

WEEKS 33-36

The baby continues to put on weight. He may weigh just over 5Ib and be about 20in. long. He will probably settle into the head-down position, and gradually move down or `engage’. This happens as the lower third of the uterus softens to become ready for labor, and the baby fits into the brim of the pelvis.

WEEKS 37-40

Now your baby is plump, strong and ready to be born. He will be able to breathe and suck well from birth. He could arrive two weeks before or two weeks after your due date, so plan some things to do if you go overdue. You will probably find that you need to rest each day and conserve your energies for the hard work of labor. Gentle exercises and swimming will help keep you supple. Daily relaxation sessions will stand you in good stead for coping with contraction.

Your baby at week 40

Length: 20in

Weight: Ib