What is Pregnancy?

Written by The Blue Heron Clinic

What is pregnancy? Pregnancy, which is the process of fertilization and the subsequent growth of an offspring, will typically last up to 40 weeks before a woman gives birth. During the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the offspring is known as an embryo. Beyond that eight-week period, the child will be called a fetus, and it will endure significant changes throughout the developmental stages that take place in the mother's uterus.

The mother will go through three separate trimester periods that form the stages of prenatal development.

She will also have to deal with a host of physiological and hormonal changes that occur throughout all stages of pregnancy. The first and most obvious sign that a woman should look for is the absence of her menstrual cycle. A woman's breasts may also become rather sensitive and tender to the touch. The third most common indication of a pregnancy is an acute feeling of nausea in the early mornings.

Because of the high risk of miscarriage that is present in mothers, the first trimester will be the most difficult and dangerous period of development that an unborn child goes through. The second trimester, while not as stressful for the mother, is still crucial to a child's overall development. The fetus will be more easily diagnosed and monitored during this stage. At the start of the third trimester, the child's ability to survive with or without medical assistance following birth will become apparent to the mother's obstetrician.

Pregnancy Symptoms

How can a woman discern whether or not she is actually carrying an unborn child? Knowing the concrete signs that indicate a mother-to-be is important. Knowing these symptoms will be especially important for first-time mothers. What are some common pregnancy symptoms to look for? While the severity of the following symptoms vary from person to person, all mothers will endure at least one of these health changes at some point.

Some of the most commonly experienced pregnancy symptoms include extreme fatigue and tiredness after getting a full night's sleep, feelings of nausea that are accompanied by subsequent vomiting and displaced food cravings that one would otherwise not have. Back Pain will almost always occur. This is the direct result of several factors, which can either be weight gain or hormonal changes. Another possible indicator can be the newly overactive bladder. A woman may begin waking up in the middle of the night with the strong urge to urinate, causing her to make frequent trips to the bathroom.

These pregnancy symptoms will always surface at some point during those first several weeks after conception. One mother may only experience several of these symptoms while another endures all of these at once. This will depend entirely upon the woman's body. However, none of these symptoms should be downplayed or ignored by a potential mother-to-be. If a woman determines that she is in fact pregnant, both her own health and the well-being of her unborn child should be taken into account.

How to Get Pregnant

If you feel confident that you are ready to take on the responsibility of having your own child and would like to find out how to get pregnant, there are several steps you will need to follow in order to become the most well-informed and fully competent parent you can possibly be. One of the first steps you will have to take involves learning about the various stages of ovulation.

Every month, the hormones in a woman's pituitary gland will stimulate the ovaries into releasing a single egg. After the egg has been released, it will make its way into one of her fallopian tubes. This process is known as ovulation. After the egg has settled into the fallopian tube, the entering sperm will be able to fertilize it and develop an embryo. When you want to conceive, this is the best time frame to shoot for. You will need to pay close attention to your body if you want to figure out exactly when you go into ovulation. By keeping track of your basal body temperature and watching for an increase in cervical mucus, determining your body's ovulation period will become easier. You could also buy an ovulation predictor kit.

If you want to boost your chances of conception even more, there are several options you could take up on to improve fertility. The first and most obvious choice you could make is to enforce healthy lifestyle choices. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Include healthy foods in your diet while avoiding processed or prepackaged goods. Exercising regularly will keep your cardiovascular health in check, and getting your daily dose of vitamins will play a crucial role in your child's development. Have sex often, and never be afraid to ask your appointed health provider for assistance in preconception planning.