PROGRESS OF PREGNANCY
1 to 3 weeks: Fertilized ovum slowly travels in the first week from the narrow passage of fallopian tubes to the uterus. In the III week (end of) of pregnancy, it establishes contact with the inner walls of the womb—and this is where the embryo starts to develop. As the size of the embryo enlarges, the size of the uterus also starts enlarging
4 to 5 weeks: In the IV week embryo starts taking nutrients and oxygen from the walls of the uterus. Now 3 layers surface, with which various organs of the child develop. In the I layer, there is the brain and its various organs, skin, eyes and ears. In the II layer, lungs, stomach and other digestive organs, and in the III layer heart, blood, muscles and bones get formed. In the V week, when ladies feel that they have become pregnant, the child’s brain starts to develop. There is also the formation of a long tube, which helps to make the brain and umbilicus. At this stage, the heart also starts to develop, and the embryo measures about 2 mm.
6 to 7 weeks: At this stage, there is a prominent projection over the head, the heart continues to develop and starts beating also, and eyes and ears start protruding. There is also initial prominence where hands and feet shall develop later on. Now the embryo assumes a size of 8 mm.
8 to 9 weeks: Now face, and eyes are more prominently visible. There is also the development of a tongue in the mouth, fingers and thumbs/toes in hands and feet, heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines, and the size of the embryo is 17 mm.
10 to 14 weeks: By the XII week child’s internal organs, muscles, hands, feet, bones etc., get formed to a large extent, and their progress continues, and the child remains coiled in a thin membrane (like a bag), which is full of a fluid (liquid) which is known as ‘ Amniotic Fluid’ due to which the child moves in the uterus. This fluid also protects the baby from traumatic effects (from outside). The mother is still not aware/conscious of her child’s movements within the uterus. During the first three months, the process of essential body organs of the embryo starts developing. Hence the mother must not take any medicines nor undergo any x-ray test as both will adversely affect the baby’s health. Now the baby’s size starts developing upwardly, and there is an abdominal bulge. Now sex organs also start to develop, but sex cannot be determined. Baby’s size now is about 56 mm in the XIV week.
Vomiting or nausea, or both, are common symptoms during the first three months and subside by themselves in the II trimesters; hence no antiemetic and/or anti-nauseatic medicines should be taken. But, when the complaints are of serious nature, requisite medicines may be taken but only under medical advice. Remember, any medicine taken during pregnancy is bound to adversely affect your offspring. Even tonics and diet should also be taken after consulting the attending gynaecologist.
15 to 22 weeks: This is a period of rapid physical growth. The body develops at a much more rapid speed than the growth of the head. Hair starts appearing in the head (scalp), though eyes have eyelids, they remain closed, nails grow on fingers, tender hair grows on the body, the baby starts to move, and the mother also has the feeling of its movements between 18-20 weeks. The first experience of foetal movement is called ‘Quickening’; teeth also start appearing within the gums. Now the child measures about 160 mm (or 6½ inches).
23 to 30 weeks: Now the child becomes more active and mobile and can jump and create some sound when the abdomen is touched, starts drinking fluid from the Amniotic membrane, urine manufacture starts (though in negligible quantity), often hiccoughs, his heart beats can be felt and listened. Now in the VII months, his body is covered with soft white cream (also called ‘Vermix’). In the 26th week, his eyelids open. If, by chance, a child’s birth takes place after 28 weeks, there are chances of his survival, but for his survival, a doctor’s help is essential.
31 to 40 weeks: Now the baby’s body has more flesh over it, he gains weight, and his body develops muscles. In the 32nd week, his head assumes normal shape and form and tilts towards the umbilicus; his body weight is around 2.5 kgs, his length is 46 cm, testicles start to descend in the scrotum. In the 40th week, the child’s body develops fully and is ready to see the light of this universe.
Due to malnutrition and neglect of the mother, the child may be born earlier or even later, but if the child-birth does not take place even up to the 41st week, the doctor’s advice and help must be availed of. Usually, a newborn child’s average body length should be 50 cm and weight 3.2 kg. Still, marginal deviations should be ignored if there is much difference in either of the parameters, there is a cause for concern, and medical help must be sought. Ladies whose children weigh more than 8 pounds and who (ladies) are diabetic also, their children may be exposed to the danger of diabetes due to genetic risk factors involved.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON OTHER ASPECTS
Enlargement in the size of breasts, uterus and abdomen is quite natural, and it is nature’s own way of accommodating the child’s growth, size and movements. There may be occasional cramps in calves, swelling of feet, tenderness, discomfort feeling while defecating, bathing, walking, breathlessness, black blemishes/ spots on the skin, the tendency to eat chalk, clay, calcium or such other objects, aversion to coitus, flatulence, slight pain in the back and/or loins, knees, anaemia, general malaise and aversion to physical activity.