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A NEW LIFE BEGINS
VERY EARLY PREGNANCY
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Do You Understand Your Body?The Basic Aspect of Pregnancy and Related Topics Discussed. Your Questions About Pregnancy and Related Matters Discussed!
THE PREGNANCY HOME PAGE
This page and the pages associated with it, provide basic information about pregnancy. It is
only intended to be source of basic information and should never be used as a guide to
self diagnosis or self treatment. Implantation is complete at the time of onset of the next expected menstruation. The next menstruation will not occur ( unless there is implantation bleeding, but this occurs very seldom). As soon as implantation occurred the pregnancy must prevent menstruation to occur . If the inner part of the endometrium is discarded , it will be the end of the early pregnancy. ( See Implantation ). The early pregnancy prevents menstruation by secreting a hormone called hCG (humanChorionicGonadotrophin). See hCG and the Glossary page. This hormone (hCG) stimulates the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum grows bigger and produced more progesterone and oestrogen. The higher progesterone levels causes the changes in the endometrium to continue. The glands secrete more protein and the spiral arteries become bigger. The endometrium growths thicker and it is no referred to as a decidua. ( Decidua is the scientific name of a endometrium supporting a pregnancy.) Progesterone has a side effect. It has the same effect on the brain as some sleeping tablets. This is the reason for the tiredness and drowsiness experienced during early pregnancy. The high levels of estrogen ( also produced by the corpus luteum) causes breast stimulation and is the reason for the tender breasts and nipples. The oestrogen and progesterone levels are higher than they ever were during the non pregnant state. The high progesterone levels decreases the tone of non voluntary muscles. These muscles relax. The bowel muscles ( also involuntary muscles) also relax. The bowel contains gas and as the muscle tone decreases the gas causes bowel distention. A feeling of bloating is thus very common in pregnancy . ( long before the the pregnancy itself is palpable). As the embryo and placenta grow bigger the womb must enlarge to accommodate the pregnancy. The enlarged womb pushes against the bladder . This is the reason why pregnant women need the bathroom more often. |
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The next drawing shows the pregnancy at the completion of implantation.
The purple ball represent the embryo and the yellow outer part represent the chorine. The chorine
will develop into the placenta. Its function is to supply the embryo with oxygen and
nutrients and remove the embryo's waste products. (refer to
Implantation and Early Pregnancy ).
Compare it with the next drawing. The next drawing shows what would happen if
the corpus luteum stopped functioning. Menstruation will start and the inner two
thirds of the endometrium will be discarded with the early pregnancy.
The next drawing illustrates the effect of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG)
on the corpus luteum. It stimulates the corpus luteum to produce more progesterone and
to grow bigger. Normally in the absence of hCG the corpus luteum will stop functioning
after ten days and menstruation will begin.
All pregnancy tests (blood or urine) detect the presence of hCG. If hCG is detected
the pregnancy test is positive. hCG is present only in pregnant women.
Refresh your memory at Menstruation,
The Normal Ovary, Fertilization and
Implantation .
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