Pregnancy calendar - week #3

Pregnant mothers - week #3

Can it be? Could it be possible? I'm pregnant!

Raise a glass, sing a song--you're officially pregnant! Although you probably have no idea that you are at this point, your body does, and is already hard at work paving the way for your little angel!

After the egg is fertilized, it divides itself repeatedly, as it makes its way down from the fallopian tube into the uterus (this takes between 3 and 5 days.) When it gets to the uterus, it looks like a little ball (called a morula.) The morula continues to divide itself until it becomes hollow and fills with fluid. This is called a blastocyst. (Wow, this guy has already changed his name three times--from zygote to morula to blastocyst.)

Later on in week 3, the blastocyst will attach itself to the lining of the uterus (a.k.a. endometrium.) This process is called implantation. The endometrium plays an important role in this very early development, because it provides the little embryo with nutrients and removes waste. This little area in the uterus is also important because it will develop into the placenta later on in the pregnancy.

There is a chance you'll experience implantation bleeding. About 1/3 of pregnant women notice this vaginal discharge or spotting, which is often confused with an early period. If this isn't indication enough, you'll just have to wait a couple more weeks for your raging hormones to kick in and give you some much anticipated morning sickness. We're sorry to be the ones to have to tell you!

Within in 24-48 hours after conception, the body starts producing an immunosupprecent called early pregnancy factor (epf.) Its function is to prevent a pregnant woman's immune system from attacking the new embryo.

Ok, so we know you've heard about the importance of staying healthy during pregnancy (if you haven't, eating right and staying active are key), but it's so important that we'll tell you again (and again, and again...) Check out Yeahbaby.com's guide to pregnancy diet and nutrition for some helpful tips and advice.

Baby and fetal development - week #3

I realize I'm just a tiny blastocyst, but hey, you have to start somewhere!

Your little microscopic baby (or blastocyst, as it's called in this stage) is only .1-.2 mm in diameter. The width of a paper clip is about 1 mm, so imagine 1/10 of that--tiny!

The blastocyst is now making it's 7-10 day journey down to the uterus, where it will attach itself to the uteran wall.

Pregnant dads - week #3

So it's week #3 of being pregnant and I'm still the chilled, relaxed dude I've always been. That will change!

She's officially pregnant. You've succeeded in your most important duty--you fertilized that egg! One of your little stallions made it to the finish line. As George Costanza might say, "your boys can swim!"

Congratulations! But don't celebrate just yet young father, your work is far from over. Besides, you don't even know she's pregnant yet! But that is coming right up...