This week your baby consists of all of the elements that will transform it from a ball of cells to an embryo. Over the next few weeks, those cells will divide, multiply and reform creating bone, skin, muscle and organs.
This week you may not yet even know you are pregnant. The changes taking place inside your body are transforming the cells into an embryo that has yet to take on a recognizable human form.
Right now, the two cells, the sperm and ovum, each with twenty three chromosomesOne of the structures within the nucleus of a cell that transmits genetic information. Each of the chromosomes contains a double strand of the helical nucleoprotein deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Chromosomes occur in 23 pairs in every human cell.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., that joined at the point of conception, and combined to form a cell, have split to form two identical cells. Those in turn have split, creating new cells and each containing slightly different genetic information and slowly building the blocks that will create your baby.
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Very quickly, as you will see, a recognizable human form will emerge, very different from the cluster of cells growing inside you now. By next week there will already be a great transformation, but don't read on just yet! There are lots of exciting things happening this week already.
Next week you will be able to use a blood test to measure the level of human chorionic gonadotropinHuman chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone released into the maternal bloodstream by the developing placenta from about six days after the last period was due (about 22 days after the last menstrual period). Its presence can be detected in the urine by a home pregancy test and a positive result indicates pregnancy. Gonadotropins are used to treat infertility, hypogonadism and nonobstructive cryptorchidism. Often abbreviated to HCG.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. in your blood and confirm your pregnancy. But now you may be aware of a small amount of bleeding.
Over the next few weeks your body will undergo many changes. You will be able to feel your baby inside you, hear it with a stethoscope and by using ultrasound even see it.
You will have to follow a strict diet to meet the nutritional requirements of both you and your baby and prepare for many great changes in your lifestyle and relationships. And, in thirty seven weeks you will have a new member of the family, that until now has never existed before.
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It is important at this early stage in your pregnancy to stay healthy. Read the related guides that are linked on this page. You have plenty of time ahead of you. Prepare for the months ahead, by sorting out the challenges that will appear before you in the coming weeks. Talk to your financial advisor about your changing finances. Discuss your health insurance plan with your company. Find out what your current plan covers: is your pregnancy, labor and delivery covered. While you are talking to them discover what coverage you will need for your baby. Start planning early so you don't need to sort it out at the last minute!
You have plenty of exciting purchase descisions ahead of you. Where will your new baby sleep? What kind of layette and environment do you want to create for your child? Do you have a preference for fabric or disposable diapers? Visit the discussion forums to find out what other expecting parents are buying for their babies. What car seats do they recommend? How about prams? Combination seats or strollers? Many people posting on the forums will have faced these same decisions you do. Benefit from their advice, and don't be frightened to share your opinion!
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