Conception and Birthhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZKuuUPjk1Q

Pregnancy timelineThe average pregnancy lasts 266 days or 280 days from the first day of last period.

Week 1 - 4

• Fertilisation occurs

• When fertilisation does occur the tiny mass of cells called a blastocyst at this stage embeds itself in the lining of the womb which is already thickening to support it.

Week 5• The mass of cells is developing

fast and becomes an embryo. For many women the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

• Shop bought tests are considered largely reliable so the mother-to-be does not have to have her pregnancy confirmed by her GP. If a first test is negative a second one a few days later may prove positive as hormone levels in the urine rise.

Week 6• The embryo officially

becomes a foetus. It is about the size of a baked bean and its spine and nervous system begin to form.

• The foetus already has its own blood system. Blood vessels are forming in what will become the umbilical cord and tiny buds which will become limbs appear.

Week 7• The baby´s heart is beginning to

develop. Morning sickness and other side effects of early pregnancy may take hold.

• Around this time many women find they experience the early pregnancy side effects including needing to urinate more often nausea and vomiting and feeling a bit weepy and irritable. If the woman has not told her GP or community midwife she is pregnant yet now is a good time to do so.

Week 8• It is quite common to have a first scan at this stage if

the woman has had a previous miscarriage or bleeding.

• An early scan is often done through the vagina and is used to check the pregnancy is not ectopic. It should show up the baby´s heartbeat.

• The nervous system is also developing rapidly especially the brain.

• The head gets bigger and eyes form under the skin of the face.

• The foetus' limbs are growing and look more like arms and legs. All internal organs are developing and becoming more complex.

Week 9 • The foetus is about 5cm long with its head tucked

onto its chest. It has most its major organs and eyes and ears are developing.

Week 12• By this week the threat of

miscarriage is much reduced. Many women announce their pregnancy to friends and colleagues.

• The foetus is growing in length much more quickly by now it is about eight cm long and weighs about 60 grams. The mother is likely to have her first scan this week.

Week 15• Screening for Downs syndrome is offered about

now. A simple blood test is carried out first then further tests may be offered.

Week 16• The foetus now has toe and finger nails eyebrows and eyelashes. It is also covered with downy hair.

• The hair that will cover the baby until the last week or so of pregnancy - called lanugo - starts to form. This hair is very fine more like down and it probably serves as some form of insulation and protection for the skin.

Week 18

• By this stage the foetus is moving around a lot - probably enough to be

felt.

Week 19

• The foetus is now about 15-20cm long and weighs about 300g. Milk teeth have formed in the gums.

Week 17

•The foetus can hear noises from the outside world. By this stage the mother is visibly pregnant and the uterus is rising.

Week 25• All organs are now in place and the rest of the

pregnancy is for growth.

Week 30• Braxton Hicks contractions may begin around now.

They are practice contractions which don’t usually hurt. These are irregular, painless contractions which feel like a squeezing sensation near the top of the uterus. If contractions become painful or occur four times an hour or more, the woman should call a doctor as she may be in early labour.

Week 37• The babies lungs are practically mature now and it

can survive unaided. The final weeks in the womb are to put on weight.

Week 40• In theory the baby should be born this week. The

mother´s cervix prepares for the birth by softening.

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVG1hA9aq7Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHLG-Ari9NAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xath6kOf0NE(Both Videos 1 min each.)http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/tv_and_radio/

fightforlife_index.shtml#programme_one:_birth

Activities: You must complete one of the following tasks:

1) A leaflet/poster explaining the pregnancy timeline, important dates and possible side effects experienced.

2) Information about the various types of birth (caesarean, water, natural, normal vaginal.)http://www.mothersbliss.co.uk/nine/tri3type.asp

3) Information for couples struggling to conceive providing details of who they can contact for further help. http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/assisted_conception.html