Pregnancy and BirthContinuing the life cycle

Breast

Stomach

Mother’s Navel

Placenta

Cervix

Fetus

Umbilical Cord

Uterus

Vagina

Public Health - Seattle & King County • Family Planning Program • © 1986, revised 2009 • www.kingcounty.gov/health/flash

What happens when?

Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, counting from the first day of a woman’s last normal period.

The weeks are grouped into three trimesters.

What happens when?1st Trimester

• Sperm and egg unite

• Limb buds form

• Fetus has a tail

• Pregnant woman experiences “morning sickness”

• Head bulge forms

• Fetus is about three inches long

• Placenta forms

2nd Trimester

•Fetus becomes active

•Heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope

•Gender can be determined with a sonogram

•Fetus is about 11 inches long

3rd Trimester

•Body systems complete development

•Fetus increases dramatically in size and weight

•Pregnant woman may find movement difficult

•Fetus is about 20 inches long

•Birth occurs

Identical Twins

Fraternal Twins

Birth

Vaginal Birth

Cesarean Birth

Healthy PregnancyPrenatal Care – Early and oftenNutrition – Increase good calories

by 300 a dayExercise – 2 ½ hours a weekRest Daily vitamin and folic acid – to

prevent birth defectsAvoid cigarettes, drugs, and

alcohol