Timeline of Pregnancy & Birth

By boa_gam
  • 1 CE

    Clevage Stage

    Clevage Stage
    Cells cleave or split in two over and over. The zygote split into 16 cells, a blastomere. Small cells are created to increase surface and received more oxygen and nutrients. A cluster of cells will form a berry shape cluster called a morula. A blastocyst is then formed, containing outer layer of a cell and an inner mass that will form an embryo. While this occurred the zygote moved from the ovary to the uterus via the fallopian tube.
  • 2

    Implantation

    After a week of ovulation, the blastocyst implants itself on the endometrium. The Corpus luteum then secretes estrogen and progesterone to prepare for the blastocyst. hCG is then released to ensure estrogen and progesterone are released constantly.
  • 3

    Embyronic Stage

    Embyronic Stage
    Blastocyst differentiates into various cell types. Rapidly develops organ systems. The mother's breast swells and increases in blood. The uterus expands up to the diaphragm. With oestrogen and progesterone, relaxin is released to increase flexibility. hPL is also released to tell the foetus to grow and gets the breast ready to lactate and the body to hoard glucose for a foetus. Mother faces an increase in urine production and the cardiovascular system will pump more blood.
  • 4

    Birth

    Lots of oestrogens are released. Cortisol is also released to signal the placenta for more oestrogen to be released. Oestrogen prepares the uterus to start making receptors for oxytocin. This will muscle cells to contract at the same time. Prostaglandins are then released, indicating contractions to occur. The feedback loop will result in labour. The contraction will push the offspring out. Infant is then given birth followed by a placenta.