Table of Contents

1 Background..............................................3

2 Month 1.....................................................7

3 Month 2.....................................................9

4 Month 3....................................................11

5 Month 4....................................................13

6 Month 5....................................................15

7 Month 6....................................................17

8 Month 7....................................................19

9 Month 8....................................................21

10 Month 9 & 10.........................................23

Due Date.....................................................25

Glossary......................................................27

I'm Pregnant!

The two life changing words for anyone.   Pregnancy is a very surprising gift and it is when mothers know they will be making room for another life on earth.

How did I get here?

Where did I come from?

Before children are categorized as babies, they are only tiny figures forming in the womb. They are embryos, swarming around and being made in their mommy’s uterus. An embryo is the stage of life where a bunch of cells (the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism) come rushing together so that they can slowly begin making every part of the baby, from their heart to their nose to their toes.  

Embryos are made through the help of one's mom and dad. In order for the embryo to be established, a mother must give an egg and a father must give a sperm; once together, the embryo slowly forms, and this is how children may look like either one of their parents as they gain certain genes from each. During the embryonic stage, embryos begin making their own home. This little home is called the amniotic sac which is filled with water or the amniotic liquid that lets embryos float and move while protecting them from all harm around. This sac keeps the embryo safe for nine months; all the stages that a mother helps her child form in the womb.

Wow, look at all those sperm competing to make me!

Egg

Sperm

Month 1

During the end of the first month of carrying such a tiny embryo, it can be as tiinnyyy as a poppy seed. Yes, a poppy seed, embryos are that small!  This is the time when some mothers find out when they are pregnant, when their child will be born, and how long until the due date. Doctors may prescribe mothers who are pregnant to take prenatal vitamins to ensure the health of the child. The baby is not big enough to show itself but it is evident to the mother through signs of bloating, vomiting, or fainting that she is indeed pregnant.

That is very tiny.

Month 2

During the second month, embryos soon form hands, feet, lips, and even a nose. They are no longer the size of a poppy seed anymore but as big as a growing kidney bean. Mothers still can not feel their growing child, but they are moving and swimming around in her belly. Pregnancy may cause mothers to feel more tired and feel morning sickness where she is nauseous enough to not eat everything given to her.  Though sickness may occur, don't be mistaken that the embryo is sick too for the embryo does not feel morning sickness like the mother does.

Those look delicious!

Month 3

Three months in and the embryo is no longer an embryo but a fetus. It has also grew to the size of a lime, A LIME! That is pretty impressive from being a kidney bean a month ago.  During this stage, the fetus now has intestines which are connected to their mother's umbilical cord which they need in order to have oxygen, food, and energy to move fast around in that little space.  They are also learning how to blink and curl their fingers and toes. Wow, how the babies' life and their mother’s life are slowly changing. Mothers may need to buy new clothes as their tummy will begin to get bigger.

What's an umbilical cord?

An umbilical cord that connects the developing fetus with the placenta while the fetus (an unborn baby) is in the uterus.

Outside noises are now available because the fetus' ears are now finally working, hooray!  Parents may begin preparing for the arrival of their growing child with shopping lists on what to get like clothes, diapers, bottles, wipes, and much more.  Newly born babies will need a lot of things and a lot of care because babies go through everything very fast.  At month four, mothers may feel their baby move with little flutters on their skin.  Pregnancy causes the mother's skin to receive a natural “glow” which is when others around may begin suspecting their is a child growing inside of the tummy of the expectant mother.  During this month, the baby is 3.5 ounces, as much as the size of an avocado. Month four has a lot of exciting progress but month five is even better.

Month 4

Look at me grow!

Month 5

Month five is when the stomach stretches enough for the baby to be shown. Some mothers may also begin to feel the fetus, which is now a baby, move and kick hard enough where others can feel too if they place their hands on her stomach. The baby is as big as a banana and is developing eating techniques for the digestive system. Their organs are developing and getting in place in their body. The mommy's doctor or obstetrician may ask if they would like to know if they are having a boy or a girl. He or she may do this using an ultrasound.

Is it a boy or a girl? Or maybe I should be surprised?

Month 6

Month six is finally here, the month where the facial features are being formed. Now the baby is as big as an ear of corn and parents may begin preparing for the arrival of their little one by painting the baby's new room, bringing in new furniture, or checking off any other details to get before the child arrives. Some ultrasounds can show the detailed features of the baby's eyes, ears, nose, lips, and head. However, this period can also be a scary time as many moms may go into preterm labor where the baby is not all the way developed but may have to come early out of their mother’s womb.  Because of that, mothers must be extra careful not to hurt themselves so that they do not hurt their child too.

I have two ears, two eyes, one mouth, and one nose!