Events During Pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks and during this time many extraordinary events occur that build a full grown human being from a microscopic egg.
The first trimester of pregnancy is the period between conception and 12 weeks pregnant. During this time the sperm and the egg fertilise and divide a billion times. The cells move towards the uterus and implants. The umbilical cord begins to start functioning and the brain, central nervous system, blood vessels, head, eyes, ears and mouth are formed. The digestive and urinary systems start functioning as well. The first sign that the mother may experience is a missed period. The embryo’s limbs grow to form webbed feet and hands and the thyroid, adrenal glands and pituitary glands have fully formed and their eyes are now open. At week 8 a diagnostic ultrasound scan can be offered to the mother. At 12 weeks the embryo is now known as a foetus and all the organs and muscles are fully formed. The sex of the foetus is now apparent. The webbed feet and hands are fully grown fingers and toes. A second scan can be offered during this time as well. The heartbeat may be heard now as well. …show more content…
During this trimester the parents will be offered genetic testing and a Down’s Syndrome screening. The foetus’ fingernails and toenails begin to grow and the sweat glands appear. The cerebrum part of the brain begins to expand and the foetus starts having reflexes. The skin is translucent. The foetus begins to grow some body hair and the myelination of the spinal cord occurs. At 20 weeks the mother will be given a 3rd ultrasound scan, if any abnormalities are present it is very common for them to be detected at this scan. Near the end of this trimester the eyelids are now fully formed and you can see the blood vessels through the skin. The foetus’ organs are more mature and their growth begins to slow