Life's Greatest Miracle

“Life’s Greatest Miracle.
Once the zygote implants in the uterine wall, embryonic and fetal development continue
through three trimesters to birth.
Twenty-four hours before fertilization, the egg has finished meiosis and become a mature
oocyte. When fertilized (at conception), the egg, now known as a zygote, travels through the
oviduct to the uterus. The developing embryo must implant into the wall of the uterus within
seven days, or it will deteriorate and die. The outer layers of the zygote ( blastocyst ) grow
into the endometrium by digesting the endometrial cells. Wound healing of the endometrium
closes up the blastocyst into the tissue. Another layer of the blastocyst, the chorion, begins
releasing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which makes its way to the
corpus luteum, keeping it active. This ensures adequate levels of progesterone that will
maintain the endometrium of the uterus for the support of the developing embryo. Pregnancy
tests determine the level of hCG in urine or serum: if the hormone is present, the test is
positive.
The gestation period is divided into three equal periods or trimesters. During the first two to
four weeks of the first trimester, nutrition and waste are handled by the endometrial lining
through diffusion. As the trimester progresses, the outer layer of the embryo begins to merge
with the endometrium, and the placenta forms. This organ takes over the nutrient and waste
requirements of the embryo and fetus, with the mother’s blood passing nutrients to the
placenta and removing waste from it. Chemicals from the fetus, such as bilirubin, are
processed by the mother’s liver for elimination. Some of the mother’s immunoglobulins will
pass through the placenta, providing passive immunity against some potential infections.
Internal organs and body structures begin to develop during the first trimester. By five weeks,
limb buds, eyes, the heart, and the liver have been basically formed. By eight weeks, the term
fetus applies; the body is essentially formed. The individual is about five centimeters (two
inches) in length and many of the organs, such as the lungs and liver, are not yet functioning.
Exposure to any toxins is especially dangerous during the first trimester, as all of the body’s
organs and structures are going through initial development. Anything that affects that
development can have a severe effect on the fetus’ survival.
During the second trimester, the fetus grows to about 30 cm (12 inches). As it becomes
active, the mother usually feels the first movements. All organs and structures continue to
develop. The placenta has taken over the functions of nutrition and waste, along with the
production of estrogen and progesterone from the corpus luteum, which has degenerated. The
placenta will continue functioning up through the delivery of the fetus.
During the third trimester, the fetus grows to 3 to 4 kg (6 ½ -8 ½ lbs.) and about 50 cm (19-
20 inches) long. This is the period of the most rapid growth during the pregnancy. Organ
development continues to birth (and some systems, such as the nervous system and liver,
continue to develop after birth). The mother will be at her most uncomfortable during this
trimester. She may urinate frequently due to pressure on the bladder from the fetus. There
may also be an intestinal blockage and circulatory problems, especially in her legs. Clots may
form in her legs due to pressure from the fetus on returning veins as they enter the abdominal
cavity.
Labor and birth are divided into three stages: the dilation of the cervix, the delivery of the
baby, and the expulsion of the placenta.
Labor is the physical effort of the expulsion of the fetus and the placenta from the uterus
during birth (parturition). The total gestation period from fertilization to birth is about 38
weeks (birth usually occurring 40 weeks after the last menstrual period). Toward the end of
the third trimester, estrogen causes receptors on the uterine wall to develop and bind the
hormone oxytocin. At this time, the baby reorients, facing forward and down with the back or
crown of the head engaging the cervix (uterine opening). This causes the cervix to stretch,
sending nerve impulses to the hypothalamus, which signals for the release of oxytocin from
the posterior pituitary. The oxytocin causes the smooth muscle in the uterine wall to contract.
At the same time, the placenta releases prostaglandins into the uterus, increasing the
contractions. A positive feedback relay occurs between the uterus, hypothalamus, and
posterior pituitary to assure an adequate supply of oxytocin. As more smooth muscle cells are
recruited, the contractions increase in intensity and force.
There are three stages to labor. During stage one, the cervix thins and dilates. This is
necessary for the baby and placenta to be expelled during birth. The cervix will eventually
dilate to about 10 cm, a process that may take many hours, especially in a woman bearing her
first child. At some point, the amniotic sac bursts, and the amniotic fluid escapes. During
stage two, the baby is expelled from the uterus with the umbilical cord still attached. The
uterus contracts and the mother push as she compresses her abdominal muscles to aid the
delivery. The last stage is the passage of the placenta after the baby has been born, and the
organ has completely disengaged from the uterine wall, usually within a few minutes. If labor
should stop before stage two is reached, synthetic oxytocin, known as Pitocin, can be
administered to restart and maintain labor.
Reference:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/human-pregnancy-and-birth/

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