First to understand when you get pregnant you must know the 4 menstrual stages.

-Menstrual Stage

-Post Menstrual Stage

-Ovulation Stage

-PreMenstrual Stage

Ovulation Stage is where you are the most fertile in possibly conceiving a baby.

Menstrual Stages

Fertilization/Conception

After the sperm of a men has entered your body it can stay in there for up to 5 days.

Also, an egg you produce can stay in you body for 24-48 hours.



So, during this time that sperm ad your egg can connect and begin fertilization in the woman's fallopian tube.

Birth Defects

Environmental:

These types of birth defects are caused by things the mother does while she is pregnant.

Some examples are:

-Premature birth

-SIDS

-Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Disorders (FASD)

Birth Defects

Genetic:

These types of birth defects is caused by one of the baby's parents being a carrier for the disorder and passing it down genetically.

-Down syndrome

-Color blindness

-Muscular Dystrophy

-Cerebral Palsy

What to do and Not to Do

Do's:

-Take vitamins

-Exercise

-Eat healthy foods

-Eat 300-500 extra calories

-Gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

Don'ts:

-Eat raw deli meat.

-Eat sushi

-Drink alcohol

-Smoke

-Take hot baths or go in hot tubs.

-Ride roller coasters

-Drink caffinated drinks

Birth Options

OBGYN:

-Medically qualified.

-Specialized in surgical training.

-Access to medical technology.

Midwife:

-More natural birth

-Is more involve through all 9 months of pregnancy.

Hospital Birth:

-Have more resources.

-Having more access to materials in case of compilcations.

Home Birth:

-Comfortable

-More familar environment.

-More natural birth

1, 2, and 3 Months of Pregnancy

Month 1:

-Half of an inch long.

-The heart, no larger than a poppy seed, has begun beating.

-Head, mouth, liver, and intestines begin to take shape.

Month 2:

-1 inch long

-Distinct, slightly webbed fingers

-Veins are clearly visible

-Placenta has begun nourishing the baby

-Heart has divided into right and left chambers.

-Most vital organs are developed.

Month 3:

-2 1/2 inches long and is fully formed.

-Begins swallowing and kicking.

-All organs and muscles have formed and are beginning to function.

-Arms, legs, hand, and fingers are fully developed.

-Nails are starting to develop.

First Trimester

Early Signs of Pregnancy:

-Missing a  menstrual period

-Morning sickness and nausea

-Frequent urination

-Breasts enlarge, may become painful

-Fatigue

A positive pregnancy test detects the presence of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCg).

This is the first three months of your pregnancy, and this is where the baby develops the most.