First Trimester Pregnancy Resources
Overview: First trimester is where it all begins and is the most fragile trimester for both mother and baby, but also a tremendous growth period for baby. In fact, so many changes take place during first trimester that it is the only period where I give weekly descriptions! First trimester is usually considered to end at Week 12 (LMP)* -- just about the time that nausea subsides and baby begins to really move!
First Trimester Major Development Milestones:
Weeks 1 - 2: Nobody's home
Momma is having her last menstrual period and getting ready to ovulate! If you're looking for a natural way to improve your chances of conception, I highly recommend Toni Weschler's "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". This book helped me and my husband conceive on our first try! Can't beat that!
Weeks 3 - 4: If this womb's a-rockin'...
An egg has been fertilized -- that's you, baby! You are in what is called the "pre-embryonic stage" which includes conception in fallopian tubes, implantation in uterine lining, and formation of the placenta.
Week 5: Anybody there?
Baby, you're an "embryo" now 'cause your cells have begun to differentiate and you're taking the form of a baby. Mom(**), you are probably wondering whether or not you're pregnant. Don't worry, you still have plenty of time to decide whether to have a Web Baby Shower or not! On the more timely side of things, you can pick up a pregnancy test online to avoid any embarrassing encounters at the pharmacy.
Week 6: You gotta have heart
During week 6 your heart starts a-beating and you look like a little salamander with buds for arms and legs. You are approximately 1/4 inch long with facial and neck features.
Week 7: Got brains?
Baby, during week 7 you're growing a brain! So don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise! In this stage, you're growing from top to bottom and that's why you've got such a big head and small body. Don't worry, no one can notice and it'll all even out!
Week 8: Let's face it
During Week 8 your nose, mouth and palate develop and your arms and legs are also rapidly developing
Week 9: Fingers and toes are cool
Hey baby! You're almost 1/2 inch long! Your wrists, elbows, knees fingers and toes are all defined now and you're almost a fetus! Your urogenital development also begins during week nine, which means pretty soon you'll know if you're a boy or a girl even if the rest of us have to wait to find out!
Week 10: Bye Bye Embryo ... Hello Fetus!
Congratulations! You're a fetus now! This means your essential structures are in place and need further growth and development so you can get born. You can respond to touch and your hand would close if someone could touch your palm.
Weeks 11 - 12: You're all put together now
Time to hit the salon, baby, 'cause you've got hair and fingernails now! You can make sucking motions and swallow and pee, but try not to go too crazy on that amniotic fluid because the stuff you don't pee out just turns into meconium and makes a big mess once you're born! You also know whether you're a boy or a girl, although the rest of us have to wait to find out. Your eyes developing although they'll remain fused shut until they are completely developed. You are about 3.75 inches long now and weigh about an ounce.
More First Trimester Pregnancy Resources
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*Note: This calendar is based on the LMP (Last Menstrual Period) system of measuring the length of pregnancy as 40 weeks (±2 weeks) from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period. Subtract two weeks to get the fetus' approximate age in weeks. **Advice is from a total know-it-all mother of one who has no business giving advice to pregnant women, other than that she was once pregnant too. This calendar is provided for entertainment purposes only and should not even come close to replacing care from your prenatal health professional.
Information found in the Web Baby Shower Resource Directory is provided "As Is" with no warranty; information regarding pregnancy, birth and parenting is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition and is not meant to be a substitute for personal care from a professional health care practitioner. Web Baby Shower/Snowboard Mommy Productions does not endorse any product or service and is not responsible for the content or conduct of sites it links to.
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