A pregnancy that takes place inside the womb is known as an intrauterine pregnancy. The fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus’ interior wall. A normal pregnancy is a term that can be used to describe this situation. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg implants outside of the womb, such as in the fallopian tube or elsewhere. In an intrauterine pregnancy, the fetus typically gestates for 38 to 42 weeks, with an average of 40 weeks.
A missed menstrual period, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue may be the first signs of pregnancy, though this varies from woman to woman. An ultrasound test can usually confirm an intrauterine pregnancy as well as determine how far along the pregnancy is. The pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: the first begins at conception and ends at 12 weeks, the second at 13 weeks and ends at 28 weeks, and the third begins at 29 weeks and ends at birth.
A placenta develops from the endometrium, the mucous membrane lining the uterus, after the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterine wall. The umbilical cord connects the placental sac to the embryo, which brings nourishment from the mother and removes waste products from the embryo. The embryo is usually referred to as a fetus once it reaches the second trimester.
A woman’s body undergoes numerous changes during an intrauterine pregnancy. For example, hormonal production and balances change during pregnancy; typically, a woman produces more estrogen during one pregnancy than she does throughout her entire non-pregnant life. The mother’s heart must pump more blood during the second trimester to meet the needs of the fetus. As a result, the mother’s heart works 30 to 50 percent harder, and the fetus receives about one-fifth of the total blood supply by the end of the pregnancy. The internal organs of a woman frequently shift to accommodate the uterus’s ever-growing size as it takes up more space within the body cavity.
Each change in the mother and fetus works together to get them ready for the birthing process. The cervix, or entrance to the birth canal, of a woman enlarges during a vaginal birth. The fetus usually shifts its position toward the birth canal, and the uterine muscle contracts and relaxes, pushing the baby into the canal and out. A Cesarean delivery involves making an incision in the woman’s abdomen and lifting the baby out of her body. The umbilical cord is cut in both cases, and the placenta is removed from the mother.