Human Pregnancy – A Foetal Feat

Pregnancy is the process by which a fertilised egg develops into a foetus or embryo, inside the body of a female mammal.
While majority of human pregnancies result in a single offspring, there are cases of multiple births resulting in more than one offspring such as twins or triplets. The nine months of pregnancy are divided into three trimesters to mark the milestones of foetal development.

Commonly Used Terms

Some of the commonly used medical or scientific terms in pregnancy are:

Gestation: Duration of pregnancy
Genetalian: Pregnant woman
Gravida: Number of times a woman has undergone pregnancy
Primagravida: Woman who is pregnant for the first time
Conception: Act of sexual intercourse leading to fertilisation
Fertilisation: Process whereby a male reproductive cell (sperm) joins a female reproductive cell (ovum) to form a fertilised egg
Embryo:> Development of the fertilised cell 50 days from conception date
Foetus (or fetus): Newly formed unborn human being
Abortion: Interrupted pregnancy that results in foetal loss
Miscarriage/Spontaneous abortion: When a foetus is unsuccessfully expelled out of the womb
Last Menstrual Period (LMP): The first day of the woman’s last menstrual period before detection of pregnancy
Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD): 40 weeks (280 days) from LMP

Detection and Monitoring

While interruption of monthly menstruation is the only obvious sign of pregnancy, pregnancy is confirmed by clinical blood and urine tests soon after implantation.

EDD does not provide an accurate due date of birth (more than 90% of births occur on dates other than the EDD). Other methods such as ultrasound or sonography can help in better calculation of the due date.

As the foetus is most susceptible to miscarriage during the first trimester, a pregnant woman is advised complete care. By the second trimester of pregnancy, the pregnancy is more visible and foetal heart beat and movement can be regularly monitored. The third semester of pregnancy is the final stage of growth and development resulting in the foetus’ birth. It also indicates the foetus’ capability for completing its term successfully or not, before birth. Babies born within 37 weeks of the LMP are considered premature and require specialised care and monitoring to ensure their survival. It has also been observed that subsequent pregnancies last for a shorter duration than the first one.

Pregnancy is a miraculous process of reproduction that requires care and monitoring to ensure successful birth. Understanding the various terms and developments enable the parents to be well prepared for the baby’s arrival.

By: Apurvashree

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Pregnancy is the most awaited period in a woman’s life and pregnancy period is divided into three pregnancy trimesters of three month each. Visit Pregnancy Period, a free online resource providing information on all aspects of pregnancy.