INDEX

Chapter 1: Menstrual Phases & Fertilization/Conception

Chapter 2: Birth Defects & TO do's/not to Do's

Chapter 3: Trimester Highlights/Month-by-month

Chapter 4: Birthing options

Chapter 5: Labor highlights

Chapter 1:

Menstrual Phases

& Fertilizaton/ Conception

The menstrual cycle is the series of changes a woman's body goes through to prepare for pregnancy...

MENSTRUAL PHASE

POST MENSTRUAL

PHASE

OVULATION STAGE

PREMENSTRUAL

PHASE

The phases include 4 different stages...

1. -MENSTRUAL PHASE: Days 1-5, The shedding of the unused uterine lining as the flow continues.
2. -POST MENSTRUAL PHASE: Days 6-9, The "Resting Stage", the egg begins to mature.
3. -OVULATION: Days 10-14, The egg leaves the ovary
4. -PREMENSTRUAL PHASE: If the egg isn't fertilized, it disintegrates and another cycle begins.

About fertilization & Conception:

Fertilization is when ovulation occurs and when an egg is released from the ovary. After the egg is released it travels through the fallopian tube and into the uterus.

Conception occurs when an egg is fertilized by one sperm. This normally occurs in the fallopian tube.

Chapter 2:

Birth Defects & To Do's/Not To Do's

What are birth defects?

They are an often inherited medical condition that occurs at birth or before birth.

There are multiple different birth defects that can affect you and your child such as...

-Anencephaly -Marfan's Syndrome

-Anotia/Microtia -Cerebral Palsy

-Clef lip/Pallet -Craniosynostosis

-Color Blindness -Fragile X Syndrome

-Cystic Fibrosis -Club Foot

-Down Syndrome -Huntington's Disease

*Please note. If you have any questions or concerns about the birth defects listed above, please consult your current physician.

To do's & Not to do's During Pregnancy...

Chapter 3:

Trimester

Highlights/Month-by-month

There are 3 Trimesters in the time of a pregnancy...

1st Trimester: Months 1-3

Early signs of pregnancy are shown.

-1st month: heart is no smaller than a poppy seed, heart begins beating

-2nd month: most vital organs are developed

-3rd month: begins swallowing and kicking

2nd Trimester: Months 4-6

Begins to feel baby's movements. Mother becomes more emotional and starts to experience more changes.

-4th month: first outlines of face are visible

-5th month: skull bones are being developed

-6th month: baby can hear the outside world