What is pregnancy? How a child is born?

The greatest art, science and engineering in the world is creation. Conception and delivery of a child belongs to this category as this is the wonderful master piece of the creator, God. Even after the development of science and medicine we still wonder at this part of human experience, child birth. Evolution theory and Darwin theories and recent development in Biology and Bio Technology has given this area a giant leap. We now have the advantage of Genetic Engineering and other tools like stem cells and cloning. Still child birth is wonder and special.

I took interest in this subject, because i am married for two months now, and i am going to have a child soon? Wonderful isn't it? Two days back i got news that my is conceived (confirmed 90% by the doctor using urine samples). A boy or girl would be born in ten months.

OK. What makes childbirth special? It is a complex process involving man and woman. There are many hormones and biology involved in it. Pregnancy occurs when matured female egg meets male gamete (spermatozoa) in the process called fertilization. The egg is released from the ovaries after 14-15 days of menstruation. So in order to conception to occur the couple need to have sex during this time. Otherwise matured egg will be discharged unfertilized during next menstruation.

Home pregnancy tests are personal urine tests, which normally cannot detect a pregnancy until at least 12 to 15 days after fertilization. Both clinical and home tests can only detect the state of pregnancy, and cannot detect the age of the embryo. Normally a missed period is considered a sign of pregnancy. The famous morning sickness is the common symptom for pregnancy.

Morning sickness, also called nausea gravidarum, nausea, vomiting of pregnancy or pregnancy sickness is a condition that affects more than half of all pregnant women, as well as some women who use hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy. Usually, it is present in the early hours of the morning and reduces as the day progresses. The nausea can be mild or induce actual vomiting. In extreme cases, vomiting may be severe enough to cause dehydration, weight loss, alkalosis and hypokalemia.

Gestation period in human is 40 weeks. The actual pregnancy period is 38 weeks, subtracting the 2 weeks after LMP (Last mensturation period). This period is divided into three trimesters.

Stages:

First Trimester:

The first 12 weeks (3 months) constitute first trimester. After implantation the uterine endometrium is called the decidua. The placenta which is formed partly from the decidua and partly from outer layers of the embryo is responsible for transport of nutrients and oxygen to, and removal of waste products from the fetus. The umbilical cord is the connecting cord from the embryo or fetus to the placenta.The developing embryo undergoes tremendous growth and changes during the process of fetal development.

Morning sickness can occur in about seventy percent of all pregnant women and typically improves after the first trimester.

Most miscarriages occur during this period.

Second trimester:

Months 4 through 6 of the pregnancy are called the second trimester. n the 20th week the uterus, the muscular organ that holds the developing fetus, can expand up to 20 times its normal size during pregnancy. Although the fetus begins moving and takes a recognizable human shape during the first trimester, it is not until the second trimester that movement of the fetus, often referred to as "quickening", can be felt. This typically happens in the fourth month, more specifically in the 20th to 21st week, or by the 19th week if the woman has been pregnant before.

Third trimester:

Final weight gain takes place, which is the most weight gain throughout the pregnancy. The fetus will be growing the most rapidly during this stage, gaining up to 28g per day. The woman's belly will transform in shape as the belly drops due to the fetus turning in a downward position ready for birth. During the second trimester, the woman's belly would have been very upright, whereas in the third trimester it will drop down quite low, and the woman will be able to lift her belly up and down. The fetus begins to move regularly, and is felt by the woman. Fetal movement can become quite strong and be disruptive to the woman. The woman's navel will sometimes become convex, "popping" out, due to her expanding abdomen. This period of her pregnancy can be uncomfortable, causing symptoms like weak bladder control and back-ache. Movement of the fetus becomes stronger and more frequent and via improved brain, eye, and muscle function the fetus is prepared for ex utero viability. The woman can feel the fetus "rolling" and it may cause pain or discomfort when it is near the woman's ribs and spine.

At the end of 40 month period you should approach your maternity hospital to deliver your baby. Normal delivery is less common during these days. So operation is needed in many cases to deliver the child. Your doctor will suggest which is best for you. Here is the list of maternity hospitals with Gynecology specialists

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1. Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH)

General Medicine, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Geriatric Medicine, Haematology and Haemato Oncology, Nephrology, Neurology, Laparoscopic Surgery, ENT, Head Neck Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Obstetrics Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Emergency & Trauma Care, Paediatrics Paediatric Surgery, Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, Urology and Rheumatology.

Post Box No.3209 Avanashi Road, Peelamedu, Coimbatore-641014.
Fax : +91 -422-2827782
Web Site : www.kmchonline.com

(+91-422)2827784 to 90
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2. G.Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital

Paediatric Surgery, Cardio -Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Treatment, Nuclear Medcine, Maternity and Gynaecology.

P.O No.6327, Pappanaickenpalayam,
Coimbatore-641 037, India.
Web Site :
www.gknmhospital.org

(+91-422)2211000
(+91-422)2213501 to 2213507.
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3. KG Hospital

Allergy & Asthma Clinic, Brain Surgery, By-pass Surgery, Capsule Endoscopy, Dentistry, Dermatology, Diabetology, Dialysis, Emergency & Trauma Care, Endocrinology, ENT, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Haematology, ICU, Joint Replacement, Kidney Transplant, Laparascopic Surgery, Naphrology, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Plastic / Cosmetic Surgery, Poison Control, Psychiatry & Psychology, Pulmonology, Urology.

Arts College Road
Coimbatore - 641 018
Fax : +91 - 422 - 2211212
Web Site : www.kghospital.com
E-mail: drg@kggroup.com

(+91-422) 2212121, 2222222.
24 hr. Emergency Helpline
Call - 155 BSNL (L) Mobile Aircel, Hutch, Reliance 155
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4. Sheela Hospital

Gynaecology, Obstetrics
General Surgery, Orthopaedics
Paediatrics, Blood Bank, Genetic,
Opthalmology,Psychiatry, Oncology
and Surgical Gastro - Enterology.

46, East Power House Road, Tatabad,
Coimbatore-12, India.
Web Site :
www.sheelahospital.com

(+91-422)249838-3
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4. Ellen Hospital

Orthopaedics, Accident Care, Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics.
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The list is not exhaustive as i have give only important and leading hospitals in the city. These hospitals have all modern equipment and well trained doctors in all discipline of medicine