Pregnancy

By Mira Juangsih


Definition
- PREGNANCY (latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring, known as a fetus, inside the uterus of a female human.
- In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets.
- Childbirth usually occurs about 38 weeks from fertilization, i.e., approximately 40 weeks from the start of the last menstruation. Thus, pregnancy lasts about nine months.

Diagnosis
- The woman miss her first period that she begin to suspect.

- She may feel tired, a little headache, her breasts may be tender, and she may urinate more frequently.

- Home pregnancy tests are personal urine tests, which normally cannot detect a pregnancy until at least 12-15 days after fertilization.

Baby Month by Month
First Trimester
- Zygote -> Blastocyst -> Embryo -> Fetus
- This is a critical period in fetal development because it’s the early organ development, such as brain, heart, liver, pancreas, lungs, and stomach are evident.
- Some women feel occasional nausea or morning sickness during month two and you may respond with stronger emotions than usual.
- The mother must eat good food, eat vitamin, don’t drink alcohol and caffeine.

Second Trimester
- Months 4 through 6 of the pregnancy are called the second trimester.
- The mommy may feel the first fetal movements.
- The baby does have ears and eyes now. Fingers and toes are well defined. And will be able to detect the baby’s heartbeat.
- The placenta is now fully functioning and the fetus is making insulin and urinating. The teeth are now formed inside the fetus's gums and the reproductive organs can be recognized, and can distinguish the fetus as male or female.

Third Trimester
- The woman will begin to feel less tired because your heart will be better adjusted to pumping more blood, 25 percent of which now goes to the baby.
- Movement of the fetus becomes stronger and more frequent.
- You may have heartburn and indigestion as your uterus puts pressure on your stomach. As the baby grows larger, you may have a hard time finding a comfortable position in which to sleep.

- Your baby’s organs have been finished forming for a long time.
- Baby’s lungs and heart are almost ready to function outside of the womb. Brain growth accelerates, and the baby can see and hear. He has lost most of the lanugo and the downy hair covering his body.

NUTRITION
- Balancing carbohydrates, fat, and proteins, and eating a variety of fruits and vegetables usually ensure good nutrition.
- Adequate periconceptional folic acid (also called folate or Vitamin B9). Folates (from folia, leaf) are abundant in spinach (fresh, frozen or canned), and are also found in green vegetables, salads, melon, hummus, and eggs.
- Other nutrients such as Vitamin D and calcium, required for bone development, may require supplementation.