As pregnancy (Latin: pregnancy) describes the condition of a woman from conception to the birth of a child. Already at fertilization it is decided whether it will be a boy or a girl. If two X chromosomes meet, the result is a girl; if X and Y chromosomes meet, a boy is born. From the 9th week of pregnancy onwards, the fruit is called an embryo, later from about 4th month as a fetus.
Due date & duration of pregnancy
In general, the duration of a human pregnancy is 266 days. If you count from the 1st day of the last menstruation, it is 280 days. According to Naegele's rule, the day of birth is calculated as follows:
Subtract 3 months from the first day of the last menstruation and add 7 to 10 days to this, then you get the probable due date. The legal conception time, for example for proof of paternity, is the time from the 181st to 302nd day of pregnancy before the birth.
Signs
The signs of a pregnancy A distinction is made between uncertain, probable and certain signs. The uncertain signs of pregnancy relate to the mother's entire body, excluding her sexual organs. First and foremost, they are nervous (nerves) and hormonal (hormones), i.e. due to reactions of the autonomic nervous system and hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy. Common manifestations during the Early pregnancy are nausea, morning vomiting, changes in appetite and often associated with a general decrease in performance and mood.
In the Late pregnancy the expectant mother often suffers from back pain and hip pain, which can occur as a result of the loosening of the ligaments and joints. So-called stretch marks (Latin: striae, shiny white, scar-like stripes) can occur during pregnancy, especially on the abdomen and thighs, due to the excessive stretching and tearing of the skin. During the course of pregnancy, the weight gain is approximately 8 to 12 kg.
The likely signs of pregnancy come from the woman's sex organs and from the mammary gland. These include the absence of menstruation, the loosening and bluish coloration of the vaginal mucous membrane (due to the strong blood flow), the loosening and enlargement of the uterus and a tightening of the mammary glands. Pathological changes can also be responsible for these signs, so a visit to the gynecologist is advisable in order to assign the conditions.
Safe pregnancy signs proceed from the child. The child's heartbeat can be determined very early using ultrasound. Childlike movements can be perceived from around the 20th week of pregnancy (approx. 2 weeks earlier in the case of multiple pregnancies), but can also be seen earlier in pregnancy by ultrasound.
Complications
Complications can occur during a pregnancy occur in various forms. These include infections, drug use, mental illnesses, pregnancy-specific illnesses, miscarriages, etc. In order to get adequate security, the pregnant woman should undergo all preventive examinations from a doctor she trusts and seek competent advice. A miscarriage (Latin abortus, abortion) is when the fruit weighing less than 500 g is rejected and is considered non-viable.
Preparation for childbirth
Already in the 6th month of pregnancy one should start with the birth preparation. For this purpose, the woman can attend a birth preparation course together with her partner, which is offered by clinics, birth centers and midwives. Together you can find out about the place and position of birth, natural and artificial pain processing, delivery methods, birth processes in general, etc.
At the same time, relaxation and breathing exercises for childbirth are learned and practiced in order to be well prepared at the crucial moment of the birth phase. Dealing with the newborn as well as care and nutrition information are also the focus of these courses. Fathers are happy to be involved here, as nowadays they often want to actively accompany their wife's pregnancy and the birth of the child and often take care of the baby. The onset of labor often marks the end of pregnancy.
You can find more interesting articles on the subject of pregnancy and childbirth in our guide under the category: pregnancy, childbirth and babies
