Pregnancy information related to 0 - 12 weeks

General safety tips about medications at 0 - 12 weeks

• Know how to store your medication.
• Never take medication that has exceeded the expiration date.
• Never take someone else's medication.
• Carry the names of your medication and the reason you are taking them with you in case of an emergency.
• Keep all medication out of the reach of children

Making healthy lifestyle choices at 0 - 12 weeks

Some risks in life are a matter of chance... others are a matter of choice.

In your new role as an expectant mother, learning how to minimize the risks over which you have control is very, very important.

Avoiding behaviours that could affect your baby is especially critical in the first trimester (the first 3 months of pregnancy). Your baby is at a time when it`s organs and tissues are beginning to form and the baby is most vulnerable.

We encourage you to discuss any special concerns you have with our doctors and nurses at your next prenatal visit.

Alcohol

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) has been associated with babies born to women who have consumed unsafe amounts of alcohol during their pregnancies. Alcohol use during pregnancy is the major cause of mental retardation in the United States and a leading cause of birth defects. Babies who are affected with FAS have severe physical and mental problems, including mental retardation, slow growth and development, heart problems, and small heads and abnormal eye features.

The severity of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is dependent upon the amount of alcohol that is consumed. The more a woman drinks, the more potential danger there is to her baby. However, even moderate consumption throughout your pregnancy can be related to a number of serious problems and complications. In addition, studies have shown that pregnant women, who drink even in small amounts, have a higher incidence of miscarriage. At this time, no safe threshold of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been identified.

Talk with our doctor and nurse for additional information on drinking alcohol during pregnancy, as well as recommendations for your personal situation.

Smoking

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of prenatal problems.  The Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and public health and lung associations all strongly support the warning that smoking may complicate pregnancy. Several studies have shown that pregnant women who smoke appear to be at-risk for miscarriage, premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (abruptio placentae), vaginal bleeding, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth and stillbirth. These babies may:

• Be born with a low birth weight (2.5 Kg or less).
• Have an increased risk of breathing and heart problems.
• Have an increased incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and have a higher rate of death within the first year of life.

When a mother smokes, her baby is exposed to the chemicals in the smoke. He/she has the same physical response as anyone would in this situation; heartbeat speeds up and worst of all, due to insufficient oxygen, the baby can`t grow and thrive as the baby should. There is strong evidence that an expectant mother smoking negatively affects her baby`s development in the womb. This seems to be the result of carbon monoxide build-up and a reduction of oxygen to the baby through the placenta.

Studies also show that the effects of tobacco use, like those of alcohol use, are dose-related; tobacco use reduces the birth weight of babies in direct proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked. So even though it is safest that you stop smoking altogether, cutting down on the number of cigarettes you smoke will help. Remember too, that passive, or 'second-hand' smoke from other smokers is also dangerous to mother and a developing baby. Passive smoking can have the same or similar side effects when exposure is constant and in large quantities.

Our doctor and nurse can provide you with information and tips to help you quit smoking. Many hospitals and community organizations provide smoking-cessation programs and support groups.

Remember, the benefits of quitting smoking will last a lifetime, for both you and your baby.

Medications and Over-the-Counter Drugs

Many medications have not been proven to be safe for use in pregnancy. Some are very harmful to your baby, especially during the first trimester, when major body systems are developing.

Prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter -OTC) medications should be taken only if doctors and nurses ordered or approved them. Let our doctors and nurses know on your first prenatal visit about any medication you are currently taking, including those for a pre-existing medical condition, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins. Before your next visit, make a note of what each medication is and what it is for.

It is best to ask our doctor and nurse what medication you can take for problems such as headache, indigestion, etc. before they are needed.

Discuss with our doctor and nurse the following points about any and all medication you are taking:

• The proper way (when and how) to take each of your medications.
• Risk versus benefits of all medication prescribed (this includes over-the-counter drugs).
• Possible risks of not taking a prescribed medication.
• Any possible side effect of each medication prescribed.
• Safe alternatives to taking these prescribed medications, especially during the first trimester.

Recreational and Street Drugs

Using recreational or street drugs during pregnancy can have serious harmful effects on a developing baby. Substances such as opium derivatives, barbiturates and amphetamines can cause foetal distress, low birth weight, and drug withdrawal in a newborn. Examples of specific drugs and their possible effects including the following:

• Marijuana 'pot' - foetal growth retardation.
• Cocaine - chronic use related to possible learning difficulties and miscarriage.
• Valium - cleft lip and palate, respiratory difficulties, decreased muscle tone, and low body temperature.

Other drugs to avoid include LSD, angel dust, speed (amphetamines), downers (barbiturates).

Any illicit drug use during pregnancy is a danger to an unborn baby. Talk to our doctor and nurse for additional information on drug use during pregnancy, as well as recommendations for your personal situation.

Radiation

- X-rays
It is your responsibility to tell all your doctors and nurses (including dentists) that you are pregnant before an X-ray is taken. Exposure to X-rays or other diagnostic techniques that use X-rays, such as CAT scans or fluoroscopy can be extremely harmful to a developing baby. If X-rays are absolutely required, make sure that a lead shield is placed over your abdomen to protect your baby.

- Microwave Ovens
Ordinary use of microwave ovens has not been proven to cause harm to you or your developing baby. Follow the manufacturer`s directions for use and don`t stand in front of or right next to the oven when it is in operation.

- Video Display Terminals
At this time, there is no proof that video display terminals (VDTs) emit a dose of radiation that is high enough to cause any harm to a pregnant woman or her developing baby. However, turn the VDT off when it is not in use.

Other Safety Considerations

- Hot Tubs, Saunas, and Steam Baths
Our doctors and nurses normally recommend that you do not use hot tubs, saunas, and steam baths during pregnancy. An abnormally high body temperature (hyperthermia) may contribute to an increased risk of neural tube defects to an unborn baby. When you are taking a tub bath, keep the temperature of the water below 37 C.

- Hazardous Chemicals
In addition to being sensitive to chemicals that pose a hazard at any time, you should be aware that there are certain chemicals that may create special problems for your unborn baby. These include lead or lead dust and permanent hair colourings. In addition, healthcare experts and environmental experts advise that you avoid any prolonged exposure to common household cleaning solvents, such as turpentine, that are used in arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor pesticides.

- Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia for surgery or dental work, when used on a woman who is pregnant, can significantly affect her unborn baby. It is important to discuss the planned use of any anaesthesia, regional, local, or general with our doctors and nurses.

Nutrition at 0 - 12 weeks

Eating right while you`re pregnant is one way you can help assure your baby`s good health. It`s also a very smart way to help you feel good during this physically challenging time. Good nutrition is really quite simple when you make a decision to eat wisely and well. Our doctors and nurses will talk with you about the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy. Please inform us if:

• You are a vegetarian.
• You have food allergies.
• You have an eating disorder.
• You have a chronic condition that requires a special diet.

The old phrase that a pregnant woman must 'eat for two' is only partially true. While the food she ingests does provide the necessary nutrients for the developing foetus, the quality is much more important than the amount. In fact, a pregnant woman needs only 300 calories more per day than she did prior to becoming pregnant.

By choosing high-quality foods, in the proper quantities, you`ll be sure you`re getting the protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals you and your baby need. Each of the following nutrients serves a very important function:

• Protein comes from animal sources such as meat, eggs, and milk products as well as grains and vegetables. It is necessary for tissue growth and repair.
• Carbohydrates come from fruits, vegetables, and grains. These sugars and starches give your body energy.
• Vitamins and minerals are essential for your body to function well and your baby`s body to develop properly. While a good diet of high-quality food is best and will contain most of the vitamins and minerals you need, our doctors and nurses may prescribe a supplement to help ensure you receive sufficient amounts of the following:
  • Folic acid is necessary for your baby`s development of new blood cells. Intake of too little folic acid increases the risk to your baby of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
  • Calcium is essential in the formation and growth of your baby`s heart, muscles, skeleton, and teeth. Adequate intake of calcium helps ensure that your own teeth and bones will remain strong.
  • Iron is essential for proper blood supply for you and your baby (both during and after pregnancy).
  • Vitamin C helps you resist infection, maintain healthy bones and muscles, and absorb iron.
  • Vitamin D is essential for the proper adsorption of phosphorus and calcium. It is vital if your baby is to have healthy bones and teeth.  

Your diet should also:

• Moderate fat intake. Eating a diet moderate in fat will help you keep your pregnancy weight at a healthy level. Some fat intake is necessary for your body to function normally. Remember that fat is found in butter, margarine, mayonnaise, cream cheese, salad dressings and virtually all animal-protein foods.
• Moderate salt (sodium) intake. Limiting sodium intake is generally not recommended during pregnancy. Some salt intake is necessary for your body to function normally. If you begin to experience problems with high blood pressure, talk to our doctors and nurses for their recommendations about sodium. Foods that have high sodium content include processed meats, canned soups, salted snacks such as chips and pretzels, soy sauce, frozen dinners, and pizza.
• Include sufficient fluids. Drinking enough fluids helps regulate body temperature, prevent constipation and urinary tract infections, reduce uterine contractions, and keep lips and skin soft. Your daily diet should include a combination of 6 eight-ounce glasses of fluid such as water, milk, fruit juice, mineral water, vegetable juice, decaffeinated beverages, yogurt drinks, fruit smoothies, and soups.

Pregnancy Pointers at 0 - 12 weeks

Your due date (EDC) is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP), since most women don`t know the actual date of conception. A full-term pregnancy is considered to be 280 days or 40 weeks. An example of a formula you can use to estimate the date you will deliver is:

• Begin with the date of your last menstrual period, for example, August 14th.
• Add 7 days (August 21st).
• Subtract 3 months.
• Your estimated due date would be May 21st.

Only a small number of women deliver on their due dates, however most deliver within 2 weeks of the date.

Make sure you drink plenty of healthy fluids (milk, fruit juice, and water).

All of your baby`s major body parts and systems are forming during the first 6 weeks of life. Remember that your baby, through the placenta, also receives what you take into your body. You should avoid the following substances as they could cause harm to your baby:

• Alcohol and drugs.
• Cigarettes.
• Unhealthy foods and drinks.
• Prescription or over-the-counter medications, unless prescribed by our doctors and nurses.
• To lessen any nausea and vomiting eat small, but frequent meals to avoid an empty or too full stomach.
• Do not diet! You are supplying your baby with vital nutrients. For the best nutrition, eat a variety of foods each day and include foods from each of the food groups.

Prenatal testing at 0 - 12 weeks

At your first prenatal visit, blood and urine tests will be performed. Findings from these tests will help our doctors and nurses determine several things, including your blood type, blood count, Rh factor (an indicator related to blood compatibility between your body and the foetus` body) and the presence of certain disease antibodies. Diseases generally tested for today include Hepatitis B, some sexually transmitted diseases and rubella.

Rubella, also known as German measles, has been found to cause birth defects when contracted by pregnant women. Ideally, all women would receive the rubella vaccine in advance of pregnancy, if they had not already achieved natural immunity. If your tests show you are not already protected from the disease, you will need to take special care to avoid exposure during your pregnancy.

Some diseases tend to run in families (or stated another way, genetically), knowing your personal family history helps our doctors and nurses know if genetic testing and counselling is need. Depending on your individual situation, our doctors and nurses may suggest certain prenatal tests and/or genetic counselling at this time.

For example we may recommend:
An Ultrasound: this can be performed transabdominally (through the abdominal wall) or transvaginally (through the vagina). This painless test is conducted by passing a sensor over the abdomen allowing ultrasound waves to create a picture of your uterus and your baby. Ultrasound can be used to confirm pregnancy, to determine gestational age, and to detect potential problems and provide information about your baby`s health.

The nuchal translucency is a screening test for Down syndrome. It is capable of detecting 85% of babies with Down syndrome. It is only a screening test.

Down syndrome is the result of an individual having an additional chromosome on number 21. There are three instead of two chromosomes. It is therefore called trisomy 21. The incidence of this condition increases further over the age of 35 years.

It has always been accepted that mothers over the age of 35 will be offered an amniocentesis to check the baby’s chromosomes. This would give a 100% accurate diagnosis. However, there are small risks with an amniocentesis so it is not offered universally. In order to help detect a Down syndrome in mothers younger than the age of 35, a screening test has been devised. This is called the nuchal translucency. The test has two parts. The first is an ultrasound, which is done between 11 and 14 weeks and is usually done abdominally. However, sometimes it needs to be done vaginally. The ultrasound measures the amount of fluid in the skin at the back of the baby’s neck. This measurement is called the nuchal translucency.

The second part of the test is a blood test, which measures two different proteins in the mother’s blood. The first is called PAPP-A and the ßHCG. These bloods occur naturally in the mother’s blood during pregnancy. Any significant change in these levels may indicate that there is a greater risk that the baby has Down syndrome.

By combining the blood test results and the nuchal translucency, the test has about 85%-90% accuracy for Down syndrome.

The results are given as either a 'low risk' or a 'high risk'. A low risk does not mean that the foetus does not have Down syndrome. It is only a screening test.

If a high risk result is determined, this again does not mean that the foetus has Down syndrome. In about 80% of these cases the chromosomal result after amniocentesis are found to be normal.

Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS). The chorion is a membrane surrounding the foetus inside your uterus. As pregnancy progresses, part of the chorion becomes the foetal placenta. CVS testing is performed by inserting a small catheter through the vagina and cervical opening. Guided by ultrasound, our doctors remove cells from the chorion`s hair-like villi so they can be studied for chromosomal abnormalities. This is usually done between 9 and 12 weeks of pregnancy; results are usually available within seven days.

Based upon the findings of these and/or other factors, our doctors and nurses may advise you and your partner to meet with a genetic counsellor as early in your pregnancy as possible. Such a counsellor can explain how the presence of certain indicators may signal the possibility of genetically related illnesses/conditions in your developing foetus. Our doctors and nurses may suggest genetic counselling if:

• You have a family history of genetic abnormalities.
• You or your baby`s father is a carrier of a certain health condition or a birth defect.
• You already have a child with a genetic abnormality.
• You have had two or more miscarriages or stillbirths.
• You are over 35 years of age.
• You have had an infection such as rubella.
• You have taken potentially harmful drugs.
• Your ethnic or racial background places your baby at additional risk for genetic disorders such as Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anaemia, or thalassemia.

Tips for healthy eating at 0 - 12 weeks

Eat three meals every day. If heartburn or nausea is a problem, try eating 4 to 6 smaller meals daily. Eat a variety of foods.

Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables first, then frozen, and then canned.

Cook meat well. Raw meat and partially cooked meats pose a health risk since they may contain organisms that could cause illness.

Keep high-fat meats to a minimum. These include hot dogs, ribs, bacon, corned-beef hash, and sausage. To lower fat content, trim fat from all meat before cooking. Try broiling, grilling, and baking rather than frying.

Avoid 'empty calorie' foods, such as soft drinks, cookies, and doughnuts.

Snacks can be healthy if you plan ahead. Choose cheese, fruit, yogurt, and vegetables for between-meal pickups.

If you`re not already a food-label reader, start now! You may be amazed at what you`ve been feeding yourself and your baby.

What to expect on your first prenatal visit at 0 - 12 weeks

Prenatal care requires regular visits to our doctors and nurses. Your checkups are very important. Our doctors and nurses may be able to find problems that you could not even feel. The earlier any problems with your pregnancy are found, the better it is for you and your baby.

Expect your first prenatal visit to be quite detailed. You`ll be asked many questions, and you`ll undoubtedly have many of your own.

Future prenatal visits will probably be much shorter.

Your first prenatal visit will be quite comprehensive. Expect our doctors and nurses to ask you about:

• Your medical history
• Your partner`s medical history
• Your family`s medical history
• Your reproductive history
• Your lifestyle habits
• Your work
• Medication you are taking
• Your last menstrual period

Be sure to tell our doctors and nurses everything about your medical history. They will ask you standard questions. Every pregnant woman is asked the same questions. Our doctors and nurses want to give your baby the best care possible. Tell them everything. Even little things that do not seem important can help them. The more they know, the better it will be for you and your baby.

A general physical exam will be done, and generally includes:

• A confirmation of pregnancy
• As assessment of your heart, lungs, breasts, thyroid gland, weight, height and blood pressure
• A pelvic exam to check your vagina, cervix, and uterus
• Possibly a Pap smear (if one hasn`t been performed in the past 2 years)
• A cervical culture (if indicated)
• Blood and urine tests

Our doctors and nurses will answer your questions and make recommendations regarding nutrition and vitamins, exercise, medication, sexual activity, and any lifestyle changes they believe advisable.

When to call our doctors and nurses at 0 - 12 weeks

Contact our doctors and nurses if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• Vaginal bleeding or a marked change in vaginal discharge (amount/odour/colour)
• Unrelieved abdominal or intestinal cramping. Pain or tenderness (with or without diarrhoea or constipation)
• Vaginal / pelvic tenderness
• Lower backache
• Pain or burning during urination, or a decrease in the amount of urine flow
• Unrelieved vomiting
• Unrelieved diarrhoea or constipation
• Chills or fever
• Soreness or redness in one or both legs
• Marked swelling or puffiness of the feet, hands or face (oedema), or sudden weight gain
• Severe or constant headache
• Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, spots before the eyes, or flashes of light
• Dizziness or mental confusion
• Something just doesn`t feel right

You may notice other symptoms not included in this list, when in doubt, call our doctors and nurses.

The ideal outcome for all patients, of course, is to have an uneventful pregnancy that results in a healthy baby. However, some pregnancies do involve complications that may affect the mother, the baby, or both. Because these complications can range from relatively minor to life-threatening, it`s important to recognize possible warning signs. Remember that you are the most important gauge of your body and, in turn, your pregnancy. Don`t compare your experience with those of friends or relatives. Even if you`ve been pregnant before, this pregnancy will probably be different. Trust your instincts, but don`t attempt to diagnose yourself. If something 'just doesn`t feel right', call our doctors and nurses.

When you call our doctors and nurses:
Write down the information you will need before placing the call, and keep pen and paper ready to write down our doctors` and nurses` instructions.

Always have the following information on hand:

• Our office and after-hours phone number.
• Hospital name, address and phone number.
• Emergency room phone number.
• Ambulance service phone number.

You and your partner at 0 - 12 weeks

Although pregnancy can be a very meaningful and exciting time for a woman and her partner, there are unique concerns and pressures for each of you alone and also together as a couple. Pregnancy is a period of transition, a change from one family pattern to another. It is also a time of growth.

Pregnancy changes your life in many ways. Successful adjustment to the changes of pregnancy leads to successful adjustments after the baby is born. Many of the feelings you`re experiencing now, in this first stage of pregnancy, are primarily due to hormone level increases and the physical changes in your body. Virtually all pregnant women have both positive and negative feelings about being pregnant. While uncertainty about pregnancy, the baby, and yourself as an expectant mother is a very natural emotion in the first trimester, it should be fairly well resolved during the second trimester. If it isn`t, discuss your feelings with our doctors and nurses and ask us for help.

The physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy may cause you to be anxious and less effective when dealing with daily issues. But remember that these symptoms are temporary. Ask our doctors and nurses for their recommendations.

Everyone feels stress every day. A moderate amount of stress is necessary for motivation, goal achievement, and satisfaction. When there is too little or too much stress, normal functioning becomes difficult, if not impossible. Any change in a person`s life produces stress, and the major changes occurring during pregnancy are certainly challenging.

Unrelieved stress during pregnancy may make a woman more likely to have health problems. These problems can affect her developing baby.

The sources of stress vary among individuals, but no two have similar reactions. Your personality, health, financial situation, etc., can affect your ability to handle stress.

In order to make life more manageable, identify the stress factors that affect you. Decide which are hardest for you to handle and take action to decrease that stress. The following techniques may help:

• Set priorities and share responsibilities at home and work.
• Learn to say no to new projects or activities before you`re overloaded.
• Set realistic deadlines or changes in your work responsibilities.
• Establish a regular exercise program under the guidance of our doctors and nurses.
• Enrol in childbirth education classes, which allow you to learn what to expect throughout your pregnancy, as well as offer support from other expectant parents. Understanding what you are experiencing will help decrease stress in itself.

A family`s adjustment to childbearing depends on the availability and quality of its support systems. Support can be found in many places. Your emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual support may come in many forms and be obtained through a variety of service agencies and organizations. Make sure the support you choose is helpful and appropriate for your needs.

One of the most important things an expectant mother can do to handle the changes and stresses occurring in her life is to talk about them. Not only should you share your questions and feelings with our doctors and nurses, but you should also maintain open lines of communication with your partner. He is probably in need of a friendly ear and an opportunity to share his feelings as well. Together you may be able to find some comfort and relief, and possibly, even some humour, in your individual situations. Communication between expectant parents is extremely important. It will relieve some of the stress you may be feeling and help you make good decisions on future issues such as:

• Your return to work.
• How you will share in caring for illnesses.
• Selecting child care.

Expectant parents today share not only the joys of pregnancy, childbirth, and childbearing, but the worries as well. And chances are that you both share many of the same concerns. Although your partner isn`t experiencing the changes your body is going through right now, he has his own unique set of concerns, and need for information during pregnancy. And he certainly shares the same emotional confusion and has many of the same questions and fears that you do. Studies have shown that many expectant fathers have worries and fears related to themselves, their wives, the pregnancy, the baby, sexuality, finances, childcare, and the new role of father they will be expected to fill. It is important to discuss those needs and concerns early in the pregnancy. The father`s adjustment to pregnancy can have a significant effect on his happiness, the immediate and future health of the mother, and many aspects of the growth and development of the baby. Involving your partner in your pregnancy will help decrease his anxieties and make him more of a 'team member'. Have him join you for visits to our office, and encourage him to read about pregnancy and parenthood.

Talk to our doctors and nurses about specific factors that may affect your sexual desires and experiences while you are pregnant, including:

• Communication and intimacy.
• Comfortable positions for sexual intercourse.
• Alternative methods of sexual satisfaction.
• Sexual interest and frequency.
• Partner`s response.
• Use of condoms.
• Orgasm.
• Personal hygiene.
• Any restrictions that may be required due to your specific situation or complications such as vaginal bleeding.

There are many physical and emotional changes that affect desire and actual physical pleasure, and understanding how these changes affect making love during pregnancy can help. It`s not surprising that a decrease in sexual interest may occur early in pregnancy. After all, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and painfully tender breasts tend to make sex less appealing. In women with comfortable first trimesters, however, sexual desire often remains more or less the same. A minority of expectant women find it increases significantly. This increase in desire is often due to hormonal changes in early pregnancy that leave the vulva more sensitive and/or because of heightened breast sensitivity. These women may experience orgasms or multiple orgasms for the first time.

The most common concern related to sexual activity during pregnancy is the fear of hurting the developing baby. Except for certain medical complications, intercourse does not have to be interrupted during pregnancy unless a couple wishes to do so. The foetus is well cushioned and protected inside the amniotic sac and uterus, and the uterus is securely sealed off from the outside world with a mucous plug that 'seals' the opening of the cervix.

Not all women know what to expect or not expect, in the intimate part of their relationship. You should always ask our doctors and nurses if they have any concerns about your normal sexual activity and any signs or symptoms they want reported. A basic rule of thumb is that any abnormal or unusual symptom that you experience should be reported to our doctors and nurses immediately.

Your body`s changes and your baby`s growth at 0 - 12 weeks

At the time of conception an egg is fertilized, thereby creating a unique new cell. The cell divides very quickly into many more cells and at about 1 week after conception this tiny mass of cells attaches itself to the wall of the uterus (implantation). The placenta and amniotic sac soon develop. Most internal and external body parts are forming, including the fingers and toes.

A missed period may be the first sign of your pregnancy. You may notice that your breasts become sensitive, full and tender, and that the nipple and circular area around the nipple (areola) darken. As your uterus enlarges during the early part of pregnancy, it will press on your bladder, so that you will need to urinate more often. You may experience nausea and vomiting, and may also notice that you tire more easily.

When a woman`s egg and her partner`s sperm unite, the process is called fertilization. The process normally takes place in one of the woman`s fallopian tubes and produces a single cell, called a zygote. This is the first cell that, in a few months, will become a fully developed baby. The genetic makeup (the characteristics that make this new individual different from anyone else in the world) is determined at the moment of fertilization. This time of growth and development is called gestation.

Within approximately one week of fertilization, the zygote attaches itself to the wall of the uterus in a process called implantation. The placenta and amniotic sac begin to develop. Within two weeks, that first cell will have multiplied into a cluster of many thousands of cells. The cluster is now known as an embryo, a Greek word meaning 'to swell'.

The embryonic phase of development lasts from about the third week of gestation until about the end of the eighth week. It is a crucial time for the baby-to-be, as most of his/her major internal and external systems, body organs, and parts are forming. Everything the mother ingests flows through the placenta to the embryo. Alcohol, drugs, and tobacco can be harmful to a developing baby. Knowing this should remind you of the importance of watching what food you eat and medications you take.

By the end of the eighth week of gestation, the embryo is about 1 inch in length and weighs about 1/30th of a gram. It`s now called a foetus, a Latin term meaning 'young one'.

It has developed into a recognizable human being. By the time the foetus is 12 weeks of gestation, he/she is very active, but still so small the mother does not feel the movement. Typically, a foetus of this age is about 6 cms. in length and weighs about 20 grams. Sex organs have now developed. The placenta is completely formed and is producing oestrogen and progesterone, the two hormones that help maintain a pregnancy. The umbilical cord has started to circulate blood from the mother to the foetus, providing nourishment.