40 Weeks: Month-by-Month Guide to Pregnancy

1. Pregnancy ProjectMaternity Project Human Services 11 / 12

2. Guide: The Developing Child, Chapter 5-2 Pre-Natal Development

3. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Life is truly wonderful! In fact, the development of human life in the womb is just amazing. Did you know that everything about you — including how tall you would be, the color of your eyes, and the color of your skin-- was all determined at the time of fertilization? Month-by-month you grew in the safety and comfort of your mother's womb until the big day of your birth finally arrived! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7kaw40pPYw

4. Shape of the Day Human Services 11 Human Services 12 The roles, during a pregnancy of a: Family Doctor OBGYN Midwife Doula • Fetal (baby’s) development during pregnancy • Maternal (mother’s) development during pregnancy

5. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 1: Cell multiplication has begun. Fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Internal organs and systems begin to form.

6. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Family Doctor Will confirm the pregnancy Usually with a urine sample, perhaps a blood test. OBGYN Usually not involved at this stage of pregnancy. • Mother has missed a menstrual period. • Other signs of pregnancy may not yet be noticeable.

7. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 2: Face, eyes, ears and limbs take shape. Bones begin to form. Internal organs continues to develop.

8. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Midwife Midwives are registered with and regulated by the College of Midwives of British Columbia. Doula Doulas provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy and birth. • Breast begin to swell. • Pressure on the bladder due to enlarging uterus. • Possible nausea (morning sickness). • Fatigue is common.

9. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 3: Nostrils, mouth, lips, teeth buds, and eyelids form. Fingers and toes are almost complete. All organs are present, though too immature to function outside of the pregnancy.

10. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Family Doctor (aka: GP) Between 8 and 12 weeks, your doctor will want to see the mother to date the pregnancy. OBGYN If the GP noted that the pregnancy is high risk, the mother may be referred to an OBGYN at this time. • Breasts become firmer and fuller, and may ache. • Nausea, fatigue and frequent urination continues. • Abdomen becomes slightly larger, the uterus is about the size of an orange. • Weight gain 2 – 4 lbs.

11. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 4: The fetus can suck its thumb, swallow, hiccup, and move around. Facial features become clearer. The fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs an ounce.

12. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Midwife Would have met with the mother 3 or 4 times already to follow the pregnancy and develop a relationship. Doula Would likely have met the expecting mother once, maybe twice. • Size change continues slowly. • Most discomforts of early pregnancy are usually gone by this time. • Appetite increases. • Energy increase slightly.

13. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 5: Hair, eyelashes and eyebrows appear. Teeth continue to develop. Organs are maturing. The fetus is becoming more active.

14. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Family Doctor Would have sent the mother for an ultra-sound by now, but the sex may not be revealed. OBGYN Would have definitely sent the mother for an ultrasound, perhaps two or three by now. • Enlarges abdomen becomes apparent. • Slight fetal movements are felt. • Fetal heartbeat may be heard through a stethoscope. • Increased size may begin to affect posture (sway back).

15. BLOCK A Day 1of ppt.

16. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 6: Fat is being deposited under the skin, but the fetus still appears wrinkled. Breathing movements begin. The fetus is now 20 – 25 cm long.

17. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Midwife Will have discussed type of birth (hospital, home, water, etc) with the mother so they can prepare. Doula Will have also discussed birthing options with the mom to be. • Fetal movements are now sensed as strong kicks, thumps and bumps. • Some may be visible. • Weight gain by the beginning of this month may total 10 – 12 lbs.

18. BLOCK E Day 2 of ppt.

19. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 7: The fetus is about 12 – 14 inches (30 – 40 cm) long and weighs about 1 ½ - 2 pounds. Periods of fetal activity are followed by periods of rest and quiet.

20. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Family Doctor Likely would have ordered gestational diabetes testing done by now. OBGYN The type & number of tests the OBGYN would have ordered vary from patient to patient. The mother is very much a patient if there is an OBGYN. • Increased size may being to affect posture. • Frustration at this point of the pregnancy is normal – mother may have difficulty doing everyday activities due to size. • Exercise should still continue if the pregnancy is healthy.

21. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 8: Weight gain continues rapidly. The fetus may react to loud noises with a reflex jerking action. In most cases, the fetus moves into a head down position.

22. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Midwife Is closely involved at this time, particularly if the delivery is to be a homebirth. Doula Also closely involved, and has assisted with the development of a birth plan. • Discomfort as size increases is normal. • Backache, leg cramps, shortness of breath. • Fatigue returns. • Fetal kicks continue to be felt and may disturb mother’s rest/sleep. • Weight gain is about 18 – 20 lbs.

23. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Month 9: Weight gain continues. Skin becomes smooth as fat deposits continue. Movement decreases. The fetus gains antibodies from the mother’s blood.

24. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Family Doctor Will have seen the mother regularly, but is likely waiting for labour to occur. Will guide the delivery. OBGYN Has likely seen mother weekly, or more often. May have schedule a C-sec or could wait for labour to begin. • “Lightening” is felt as the fetus drops into the pelvis. • Breathing becomes easier, but other discomforts continue. • Weight gain averages approx. 25 – 30 lbs. • Braxton Hicks pains are common.

25. 40 Weeks: Month by Month Human Services 11 Human Services 12 Midwife Will be called as soon as labour begins, but may not come immediately. Doula Will be called as soon as labour begins and is more likely to come immediately. Will also stay longer after birth. Labour pains… • Feels like an abdominal crunch at first, and progresses into long, sharp cramp-like pains. • Water may or may not break – leaking is more common. • Contractions should be timed.

26. This was a general overview… • Next day, you will be planning for the birth of the baby… much more project-like. • Human Services 11 will come up with their “birth plan”. • Human Services 12, will look at either Midwifery or Doula Services in more detail to create an information pamphlet. • There will not be a lesson, this was it, and your charts will assist. Next block is a working block.