Congratulations! You (actually, your body) have finally officially met your developing baby. The two of you are now intimately joined, and your body begins to mobilize to support your baby’s growth. You don’t realize it yet, but you’ve been pregnant for a whole week!
Your Baby By now the embryo has actually sunk beneath the surface of your uterus. The amniotic sac (the water-tight bag of waters) and the amniotic cavity (the area within the womb that contains the amniotic sac, amniotic fluid, and developing child) have begun to form. The yolk sac (which eventually gives rise to the baby’s digestive tract) and a primitive version of the umbilical cord called the umbilical stalk appear. The amniotic sac, amniotic cavity, and yolk sac require the next six days to complete their initial formation.
The placenta forms at the site of implantation and is formed from tissue contributed by both you and your baby.
Your embryonic baby grows rapidly. The amniotic sac, amniotic cavity, primitive umbilical cord, and yolk sac continue to develop.
The divided cell mass now looks like two hollow balls opposing each other suspended from a thick, short umbilical stalk and encased by a fluid-filled bubble. The umbilical stalk extends from the site of implantation. The bubble, of course, is the amniotic sac. Your embryonic baby measures between .006 and .008 of an inch in length (0.15–0.20 mm). Five embryos could fit into the space occupied by this printed period: .
Did You Know?
The first system to function in your developing baby is its cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels). Your baby’s heart will be beating before your period is one week late! |
You The hormone level within your body rises dramatically during pregnancy. 50 - 90% of women experience nausea as their bodies adjust to the increase in pregnancy-supporting hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and hCG) and changes in carbohydrate metabolism. Much of the time, nausea is provoked by sharp odors, especially cooking smells. Open a window or turn on a fan to help circulate the air.
