The Stages Of Pregnancy - The First Trimester
Author: Janet Hart

The First Trimester

Here is what happens inside your womb during the first
trimester:
Conception actually takes place about two weeks after your
menstrual cycle starts. Although the 2 week period of time
during and right after menstruation is counted into your 40
week gestation term, you are not actually pregnant during that
time, but your doctor will calculate your due date, based on
the start date of your last period.

The sperm and egg get together to form a tiny one-celled being
(a zygote). The chromosomes in the zygote dictate gender, eye
and hair color, height and features. After fertilization takes
place, the zygote will begin to travel down the fallopian tube
and into the uterus. Your little zygote is now called a
'blastocyte', a not so pretty name for your new baby.

When the blastocyte reaches the uterus it attaches itself to
the uterine wall (some time between day 7 and day 9 following
conception) and the placenta begins to form. If you have been
paying attention to your cycles, you may already be celebrating
a positive pregnancy test by now!

At this point, your child is officially an 'embryo' with a
developing brain, spine, and organs. Not quite half way through
the first trimester, your baby's heart and circulatory system
will develop quickly. You won't be able to hear your baby's
heart beat yet but your doctor may see the first signs of a
heartbeat during an ultrasound test. Once the circulatory
system has completed its circuit, the heart will beat and the
first organ in your baby's body will be functional.

In week 6, your baby is about 8th of an inch in size and the
neural tube for his/her brain and spine is nearly closed. The
heart is beating and basic facial features are forming,
including the mouth and the ears. The tissue for ribs and
muscles is developing and the 'buds' are in place to grow arms
and legs. Her skull is not solid yet but she has formed all the
canals and channels she will need to circulate spinal fluid.

During week 8, fingers and toes are now visible, though they
are still webbed. There is increased definition in the joints
(ankles, elbows and wrists) and his ears lips, nose and eyelids
are more defined.

By the 9th week, your baby is just about an inch long, and the
embryonic 'tail' at the bottom of the spine is shrinking fast.
Her head is tucked down on her chest, and she has started to
form nipples, reproductive organs and hair follicles. Organs
like the pancreas and gallbladder have also developed.

Nearly at the end of the first trimester, your baby has
developed his vital organs, lost his embryonic tail and the
webbing between his fingers and toes. His bones are form and
his brain is cranking out neurons. His eyelids and his outer
ears are formed and he is starting to grow 'tooth buds'

Congratulations! You now have a fetus! Genitalia is becoming
apparent, and your placenta is working overtime to supply the
nutrients for her growth during the 2nd and 3rd trimester.


About The Author: Janet Hart is the owner of
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