Pregnancy

Abstract

This chapter describes the process of pregnancy or gestation, during which the mother supports a developing human to a stage at which it can exist in the outside world. Pregnancy is the condition in which a developing human is nurtured within the uterus that begins at conception and lasts for about 266 days. There are presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman's urine or blood that can utilize bioassay, immunoassay, or radioimmunoassay. A woman is pregnant if she misses her first menstrual period. The embryo forms three primary germ layers, which gives rise to all adult tissues. Pregnancy brings about physiological changes and psychological adjustments in the future mother as well as remarkable development and growth of the fetus. The internal relationship between the mother and the fetus terminates in childbirth. Embryonic and fetal development is complex and is accompanied by the growth and development of all adult organ systems. Many fetal organ systems are functional early in development. Some maternal complications of pregnancy include toxemia, diabetes mellitus, placenta previa, ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform moles, septic pregnancy, and maternal hemorrhage.