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The earliest stages of pregnancy cause physical and emotional changes within a woman’s body and mind. The first trimester is riddled with anxiety and excitement about the reality of having a baby and both you and your partner may experience new emotions about your relationship and starting a family. A pregnant woman will notice physical changes in the earliest stages of pregnancy such as missed menstruation, enlarged breasts, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, increased body temperature, weight gain and frequent urination. She will also notice an increased focus on herself and the strange changes that are happening within her body. Many couples experience a reduction in sexual activity in the first trimester. Within the first three months of pregnancy, the embryo becomes a fetus and develops all major organ systems. The baby’s heart begins to beat on the 25th day of pregnancy followed by arm and leg buds developing within the next few days and the primitive digestive system develops all within the first four weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, the embryo is 1/5th of an inch in length. In the second month of pregnancy, the baby begins to develop a face, ears, the beginnings of a spine, development in the arms and legs and the brain, kidneys, liver, bloodstream and digestive system begin to mature. The embryo is now a fetus and is 1.125” long and weighs 1/30th of an ounce. A primitive umbilical cord begins to circulate nourishment and blood to the fetus. In the third month of pregnancy, the fetus’ eyelids are fused, the nose and outer ears begin to form, nail beds and teeth buds are formed and the baby begins to move. At this stage of pregnancy, the baby can swallow amniotic fluid and all its internal organs are established. At the end of the third month, the fetus weighs one ounce and is approximately three inches long. |
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