Human Pregnancy – Stages, Complication and Symptoms

Human pregnancy begins with the process of fertilization and ends with the birth of an individual. The average length of a human pregnancy is 9 months or 40 weeks. Fertilization is the process in which sperm from a male fuse with an egg from a female and as a result, a zygote is formed. During human pregnancy, a placenta is formed. The placenta is the structure that connects the mother with her fetus. The function of the placenta is nutrient uptake, gas exchange via the mother’s blood supply, waste elimination, production of hormones to support pregnancy, and fighting against internal infection.

Fertilization Process

This process begins with the ejaculation of sperm from the male to the female vagina. Now, these sperm will travel through the fallopian tube to meet the eggs, which are released by the ovary, and then the fertilization process will begin in the fallopian tube. The first step involves the fusion of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes, and then their nuclei will be fused to form a single nucleus, which results in the formation of a zygote (also known as fertilized eggs). The zygote is the new beginning of a new individual.

Stages in Human Pregnancy

Human pregnancy has three stages which are also known as trimesters. These three stages or trimesters are: First trimester (conception to 12 weeks), Second trimester (12 to 24 weeks), and Third trimester (24 to 40 weeks)

First Trimester

The merging of the endometrium and outer layer of the embryo formed the placenta. The main work of the placenta is to maintain the balance of nutrients and waste in the embryo and fetus. In this trimester, internal organs and body structures begin to develop. After 5 weeks, the eyes, heart, and liver have developed. After 8 weeks, the fetus will grow to 5 cm long.

Second Trimester 

In this, you usually can feel the active movements of the fetus. In this, the fetus grows about 30 cm long. All organs and the structure of the fetus continue to develop. In this production of estrogen and progesterone, waste and nutrition are under the control of the placenta.

Third Trimester 

The most uncomfortable stage for pregnant women. In this, the fetus grows about 50 cm long. This is the trimester where the fetus grows rapidly. Organ development continued from previous stages. In this Trimester, pregnant women can frequently urinate due to the pressure on the urinary bladder because of the fetus. In this, they may also face circulation and intestinal problems.

Complications during Pregnancy

Infection-These infections include sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis that led to complications in pregnant women. These infections can also be transmitted to the fetus. 

Depression and anxiety-These conditions can make significant effects on pregnant women and fetuses. Getting treatment is important for both fetus and mother to avoid miscarriage.

High blood is pressures-Also known as hypertension. Poorly controlled this can cause risk to the fetus. You can get treatment for high blood pressure before, during, and after the pregnancy to avoid complications.

Obesity and weight gain-Overweight and obese pregnant women can face numerous complications like preeclampsia, stillbirth, and cesarean delivery. You can avoid this complication by losing weight before pregnancy. 

Gestational diabetes-When a woman doesn’t have diabetes before pregnancy but during pregnancy, they develop diabetes, that diabetes is known as gestational diabetes. This can be managed properly with health care. If this is not controlled, then it can cause large infants and cesarean delivery. 

Preeclampsia-The cause of this is still unknown, but a very risky medical condition that leads to preterm delivery and death. 

Stillbirth-This is the loss of a fetus after the 20th week of pregnancy. This can be caused by placental problems, poor fetal growth, and chromosomal abnormalities. 

Pregnancy Losses or Miscarriage-Loss of the fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Noticeable symptoms include cramping, vaginal discharges, and bleeding from the vagina.

Symptoms of Human Pregnancy

Missed periods-This are the first sign of pregnancy. Sometimes women face slight bleeding at the time of implantation. 

Nausea with or without vomiting-This symptom is noticed within 2 to 8 weeks after conception. This symptom can continue throughout the pregnancy. 

Mood swings- During pregnancy, many hormonal changes cause numerous mood swings. These are noticeable in the early weeks after conception. 

Swollen breast or nipples-This symptom is noticeable in 1 to 2 weeks after conception. In this, the breast feels heavier. 

Backache-During pregnancy, there are changes in posture and loosening of ligaments that cause backache. 

Fatigue-After one week of conception, pregnant women may face more issues of fatigue. They start feeling more tired because of more production of a hormone called progesterone. 

Frequent urination: During pregnancy, a hormone called chorionic gonadotropin increases the flow of blood to the pelvic region, causing pregnant women to urinate more often. 

Constipation-This is a common problem faced by pregnant women. This is because pregnancy hormones, slow down gastrointestinal movement.

Morning sickness-In the morning, loss of appetite, vomiting, and nausea are common symptoms of pregnancy. 

Food cravings-Abrupt cravings for food items. These cravings can continue throughout the whole pregnancy. 

Cramping and spotting-Slight bleeding is spotting, but the color of the blood is lighter than your menstrual blood. This spotting occurs at the time of implantation of a fertilized egg.

Conceptual Questions

Question 1: How many stages are there in human pregnancy? 

Answer:

There are three stages or trimesters in human pregnancy:

• First trimester (conception to 12 weeks) 
• Second trimester (12 to 24 weeks) 
• Third trimester (24 to 40 weeks).

Question 2: In which stage or trimester, does the fetus grow rapidly? 

Answer:

In the third stage or trimester, the fetus grows rapidly.

Question 3: What are the common symptoms of human pregnancy? 

Answer: 

The most common symptoms in human pregnancy are missed periods, food cravings, backaches, fatigue, frequent urination, and mood swings.

Question 4: What are the main complications faced by a woman during pregnancy? 

Answer: 

Complications faced by pregnant women are hypertension, obesity and weight gain, stillbirth, infections, gestational diabetes, and Preeclampsia.

Question 5: What is the placenta and write its function?

Answer:

The placenta is the structure that connects a mother with her fetus. The functions of the placenta are.

• Nutrient uptake
• Gas exchange via the mother’s blood supply
• Waste elimination 
• Produce hormones to support pregnancy
• Fight against internal infection.

Question 6: Explain the fertilization process.

Ans. 

This process begins with the ejaculation of sperm from males to the female’s vagina. Now, these sperm will travel through the fallopian tube to meet the eggs which are released by the ovary, and then the fertilization process will begin in the fallopian tube. The first step involves the fusion of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes and then their nuclei will be fused to form a single nucleus, and this results in the formation of a zygote (also known as fertilized eggs). The zygote is the new beginning of a new individual.