mother-to-be

Auxiliary tools

· Gynecological examination

The 8th week of the 40th week of pregnancy: I'm like a grape

After the eighth week, the embryo has begun to take shape, but the small tail has not completely disappeared. Its size and shape look like a grape, and sometimes it moves like a beating bean

Physiological changes of expectant mothers

Your abdomen looks the same now as before pregnancy, but Your uterus has changed significantly 。 Before pregnancy, your uterus is about 5cm long and looks like a clenched fist; Now it not only increases, but also becomes very soft, especially in the uterine isthmus. The vaginal wall and cervix become soft and purple blue due to congestion. When the uterus grows, your abdomen will feel some cramps, and sometimes you will feel instant sharp pain.

Fetal development

Now all kinds of complicated organs of the embryo begin to grow. Heart and brain It has developed very complex, Eyelid Creases begin to appear, Nose And gradually stand up, Teeth and palate Begin to develop, Ears It is also continuing to take shape, Small arm Become bent at the elbow. Fingers and toes There is a small amount of web between them. Since the bone marrow has not yet formed, the liver temporarily produces a large number of red blood cells until the bone marrow matures and then takes over its work.

From now on, the "fetal baby" will grow rapidly, at a speed no less than that of the heart and brain development in early pregnancy, and will show a clear outline in a few weeks. By the end of the 8th week, the "baby baby" will grow to about 3cm and weigh about 4g; Placenta and umbilical cord formation; The skin is as thin as paper, and the blood vessels are clearly visible; The head, body and hands and feet can be distinguished with the naked eye; Already know how to kick, stretch, lift and move arms ——Although you can't detect it at all.

How much do you know about placenta?

What is placenta? After the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterine cavity, it gradually begins to form the placenta. The villous tissue of the embryo first invades the endometrium, then gradually extends, and then slowly combines with the endometrium closely. Finally, the placenta is formed by the fusion of amniotic membrane, leafy chorion and decidua basalis, and is completely formed around the 12th week of pregnancy. The placenta is in the shape of a flat disc, about 15-20 cm in diameter at term, thick in the middle, thin at the edge, and about 500-600 grams in weight.

Main uses of placenta

·The placenta attaches to the uterine wall and establishes two sets of blood circulation of the mother and the fetus. The two blood circulation are not connected with each other. The purpose of material exchange between the mother and the fetus is achieved through the blood vein between the uterus and the placenta.

·The placenta can deliver nutrients and oxygen from the mother, which is necessary for the development of the fetus. It is connected to the fetus through the umbilical cord to supply the fetus. At the same time, it can take away the carbon dioxide and metabolic waste generated by the fetus itself, and let the mother help to expel it from the body. The placental barrier has a protective effect on the fetus, and can prevent harmful substances or larger pathogens from invading the fetus.

·The placenta can produce various hormones and enzymes required for fetal growth and pregnancy, and has important endocrine function. After delivery, the placenta is exfoliated and discharged under uterine contraction. Once the placental function is not complete, the baby in the belly may cause hypoxia, distress, malnutrition, growth retardation, intellectual impairment, and even fetal death.

Structure of placenta

The placenta is composed of amnion, leafy chorion and decidua basalis.

amnion Form part of placenta and fetus , the innermost layer of the placenta, is only 0.02-0.5mm thick, and consists of 5 thinner and thinner membranes, including epithelial layer, dense layer, basement membrane, fibroblasts and sponge layer.

Leafy chorion Form part of placenta and fetus , is the main part of the placenta. The main structure of the placenta is villus, which goes through three stages of development: primary villus, secondary villus and tertiary villus. About 3 weeks after fertilization, when the blood vessels in the villi are formed, the placental circulation system of the fetus is established. The fetus gets the nutrients needed for growth from the mother's blood flowing through the placenta.

Decidua basalis Form part of the fetal mother There is a thin plate called decidual plate at the bottom, from which the mother's uterine spiral artery enters the maternal lobe and enters the villous space at a flow rate of 500~600 ml per minute. The fetal blood flows through the artery directly to the villous capillaries and exchanges substances with the mother's blood through the villous space.

Expert Reminder

be careful: The bath time should be moderate in daily life.

◆ When taking a bath every day, not only should the water temperature not be too high, but also the time should not be too long. Because, it is easy to make you tired, dizzy and cold, especially if you take a bath for too long, it will make the uterus congested and may cause miscarriage.

◆ The body should not be in one position for a long time, avoid repeated waist exertion, and do not ride, ride or drive for a long time to avoid miscarriage.