http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/pregnancy.asp Pregnancy is the reproductive process through which a new baby is conceived, incubated and ultimately born into the world. Many facets of pregnancy are covered starting with the preparation and planning stages, and moving through conception, fetal development, labor and delivery, and post-partum (or post-birth) stages. en-us 2011-12-09T12:48:57.0000000+05:30 http://www.pediatriconcall.com/rss_media/rss_pregancy.jpg http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/pregnancy.asp One scientific term for the state of pregnancy is gravidity (adjective "gravid"), latin for “heavy” and a pregnant female is sometimes referred to as a gravida. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/pregnancy.asp 2011-12-09T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 During coitus between a male and female, the female egg (ovum) and the male sperm come together in the uterus, and unite to form the embryo. This process is known as fertilization. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/conception1.asp 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Inability to conceive, after one year of regular sexual union without contraceptives, or to continue pregnancy till term is called as infertility. It may be either due to problems in the woman or the husband. In 50%, no cause of infertility is found. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/infertility.asp 2008-01-31T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Pregnancy is one of the most fulfilling and wonderful time in the life of a woman. It is a time when she discovers that she is going to be a mother and the period is mingled with feelings of excitement and anticipation. Sometimes there may be lurking doubt that the coming of the baby will mean a complete change in her lifestyle and responsibility. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/PRAGNANCYCARE.asp 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation or removal of the fetus weighing less than 500 gm is termed as abortion. Abortion can be due to miscarriage or due to medical termination of pregnancy. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/Abortion.asp 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 It is an operative procedure for delivering babies after 28 th week of gestation. The delivery is conducted by making a cut on the abdominal and uterine walls and the baby is removed. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/caesarean.asp 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Amniocentesis (am-nee-o-sen-te-sis) is an antenatal outpatient diagnostic test done in the pregnant mother to rule out the possible presence of birth defects in the fetus whereby the amniotic fluid (fluid present in the womb) is removed and tested for the various birth defects. It is usually performed between the sixteenth and twentieth week of pregnancy. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/amniocentesis.asp 2004-11-05T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 The monthly menses stop. There may be some amount of nausea and vomiting in the morning also known as morning sickness. By the third month, the nipple darkens; the breast becomes larger and may also secrete milk. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/Fetal.asp 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 fertilization, a 2-celled embryo is formed. Further division takes place and a small mass of cells is formed. These cells get embedded in the uterus and further growth takes place. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/Fetal_Development.asp 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Pregnancy can be easily detected by certain symptoms, examination and confirmed by certain tests. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/DETECTIONPREGNANCY.ASP 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Your doctor would be checking for an enlarged and soft uterus by an internal examination (By around the fifth week after your last menses, the uterine enlargement and softening begins if pregnant). http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/DetectionPregnancy1.ASP 2006-11-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Contraception is the means to avoid pregnancy. It may be achieved by use of either contraceptive devices of by natural abstinence. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/contraception.asp 2011-06-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 There are several methods of contraception that can be used in males or females. In females, common contraceptives used are: http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/Contraception_Methods.ASP 2011-06-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Antenatal care is not only to ensure the good health of mother during pregnancy and childbirth, but also to ensure good health of the baby on birth. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/CAREMOTHER.ASP 2011-06-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Proper nutrition and diet is important for good development of a strong and healthy baby. Caloric requirement is higher during pregnancy and breast-feeding. A balanced diet containing a variety of foods is required. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/CAREMOTHER1.ASP 2011-06-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 In pregnancy medicines should be taken under guidance of a doctor especially in the first trimester. Iron and calcium (also known as ANC pack) should be started as soon as the first trimester nausea and vomiting settles down and should be continued throughout pregnancy and lactation. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/CAREMOTHER2.ASP 2011-06-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30 Weight gain varies from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. Average weight gain in pregnancy is about 10 to 12 kg and may be a little more in multiple pregnancies. http://www.pediatriconcall.com/forpatients/commonchild/Pregnancy/CAREMOTHER3.ASP 2011-06-18T00:00:00.0000000+05:30