10/20/05

 Pregnancy

Congratulations! Pregnancy, whether you're planning for it or are already there, is an exciting time and a great opportunity to learn about your child's growth and development. But with so much pregnancy information available in books, in magazines, and on Web sites, how can you hope to cover it all before giving birth?

We've made it easy for you to get all the pregnancy info you need in one place. Our illustrated pregnancy calendar is a detailed guide to all the changes taking place in your baby - and in you! Each week of pregnancy includes a description of your baby's development, as well as an explanation of the changes taking place in your body. You'll also find important medical info that will help keep you and your baby healthy.

A Word About Due Dates and Trimesters
After you announce your pregnancy, the first question you'll probably be asked is "When are you due?" At your first prenatal visit, your health care provider will help you determine an expected delivery date (EDD). Your EDD is 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). If you deliver on your EDD, your baby is actually only 38 weeks old - that's because your menstrual period and ovulation are counted as the first 2 weeks of pregnancy. It's important to remember that your due date is only an estimate - most babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks and only a small percentage of women actually deliver on their due date.

Another common term you'll hear throughout your pregnancy is trimester. A pregnancy is divided into trimesters: the first trimester is from conception to the end of week 13, the second trimester is from week 14 to the end of week 26, and the third trimester is from week 27 to the end of the pregnancy.

Getting Started
To get started, simply click on the link below for the week of pregnancy you'd like to view. If you'd like more information about a particular pregnancy subject, you'll find links to other pregnancy and newborn articles. Keep coming back every week of your pregnancy to check out how your baby is developing and to find out what changes you can expect in your own body, too!

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