Pregnancy is the state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. It specifically refers to the period from conception to birth when a fetus grows inside a woman's uterus. Pregnancy typically lasts about 40 weeks, calculated from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period (LMP).
Key Aspects of Pregnancy:
- Development: During pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining and develops into an embryo and then a fetus.
- Duration: A full-term pregnancy is typically 40 weeks (approximately 9 months).
- Trimesters: Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each lasting about three months, during which different developmental milestones occur.
- Physiological Changes: Pregnancy causes significant hormonal and physiological changes in the mother's body to support the developing fetus.
- Healthcare: Regular prenatal care is crucial for monitoring the health of both the mother and the developing fetus.
In essence, being pregnant means a woman is carrying a developing baby within her womb.