Month 1

Your First Month

By the end of your first month of pregnancy, your baby is smaller than a single grain of rice. Around the 22nd day after conception your baby developed a heart beat, and is now on its way to developing the neural tube, digestive tract, and sensory organs. The neural tube is what eventually becomes the Central Nervous System, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Most women probably do not know that they are pregnant during the first couple weeks. It is possible, however, that you will experience some of the signs of pregnancy. If you do suspect pregnancy this early, make an appointment with your practitioner to have a pregnancy test.

Your Body: You May Be Experiencing:

• an absence of menstruation
• fatigue and sleepiness
• frequent urination
• nausea, with or without vomiting
• constipation
• heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, bloating
• food cravings
• breast changes: tenderness and fullness
• emotional upsets comparable to PMS
• fear, joy, elation

Your Baby: The First Four Weeks

Week 1 - Development of the Zygote Day 1
Approximately 300-500 millions sperm are deposited in the female genital tract during sexual intercourse. However, only about 300-500 reach the site of fertilization. Fertilization occurs in the widest part of the fallopian tube, closest to the ovary. As soon as one sperm penetrates the egg, the surface of the egg changes to prevent multiple fertilization. The sperm and the egg begin to fuse together. Day 2. After the sperm and egg have fused, the sex is determined. The cell begins cleavage and eventually splits into two cells. The two-cell stage occurs about 30 hours after fertilization. Day 3. The 12- and 16-cell stages occur about 3 days after fertilization. This small clump of cells is referred to as the morula. Day 5. It is not until about the fifth day that the morula finally enters into the uterus. Fluid begins to enter until a single cavity is formed. When this cavity is formed, the embryo is called the blastocyst. Day 7. Implantation into the uterine wall begins around day 6. The uterine lining is in a secretory phase at this point. The wall becomes spongy as the glands and arteries become coiled.

Week 2 - Development of the Bilaminar Embryo Day 8.
The blastocyst is partially embedded in the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus). The amniotic cavity forms. Day 10. The embryo is completely embedded in the endometrium. Day 14. The embryo cells begin to differentiate and is called the bilaminar embryo. The prochordal plate also develops. This is where the cranial region and mouth will develop. About this time, the chorionic villi begin to develop. This is the beginning of the primitive cardiovascular system.

Week 3
The end of week 3 is marked by the beginning of the development of the heart and central nervous system. The notochord and the primitive streak are formed during week 3. Through a process called neuralation, the notochord forms the neural plate which eventually develops into the central nervous system (the brain and spinal chord). When the primitive streak develops, it is possible to identify the right and left sides, top and bottom, and front and back sides of the embryo. The cardiovascular system also continues formation with the development of a primitive heart, blood cells and plasma, and blood vessels. Week 3 marks a time of rapid development of the embryo. During this week, the embryo, now called a gastrula, forms three germ layers during a process called gastrulation. The three germ layers are the ectoderm, the endoderm, and the mesoderm; all tissues and organs develop from these. Germ Layer Forms: Ectoderm skin and nervous system Mesoderm muscles, connective tissues, vessels, blood cells, bone marrow, the skeleton, reproductive organs, excretory organs Endoderm linings of the respiratory and digestive tracts, glandular cells

Week 4
The fourth week is a period of major structural changes. Highlights of the fourth week include: Continuing development of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems Appearance of the upper and lower limb buds Formation of the optic pits, the inner ear Primitive structures of the eyes are visible.

Medical Care - Prenatal Visit 1

Come prepared to answer lots of questions. Your physician will want to know the symptoms you have experienced thus far, and the date of the first day of your last period to determine your estimated date of delivery(EDD). A pregnancy test may be ordered to confirm your pregnancy. Some common prenatal tests may also be ordered for you at this time.

Questions The Physician May Ask You:

• Do you have a chronic illness?
• Have you ever had a major illness?
• What surgeries have you had, if any?
• Are you currently taking any medications?
• Were you possibly taking any medications when your baby was conceived?
• Do you have any known allergies?
• Are there any genetic disorders or chronic diseases in you or the baby's father's family?
• How old were you when you menstrual cycle began?
• How long do your periods last each month?
• Are your periods regular?
• How heavy is your menstrual flow?
• Have you had any past pregnancies, labors, or deliveries?
• Have you had any past abortions or miscarriages?
• Do you smoke or drink alcoholic beverages?
• What is your current occupation?

Complete Physical Examination

An assessment of your general health blood pressure reading height and weight will be taken inspection of body for varicose veins or any edema palpation of external genitalia internal examination of vagina and cervix examination of pelvic organs assessment of size and shape of your bony pelvis.

This information was provided by Clinical Tools' Health Center (http://www.health-center.com) and is copyright, Clinical Tools, Inc.