pregnancy

Table of Contents

Introduction
The normal events of pregnancy
- Initiation of pregnancy
- Diagnosis of pregnancy
  - Symptoms and signs; biological tests
  - Conditions that may be mistaken for pregnancy
  - Duration of pregnancy
- Anatomic and physiologic changes of normal pregnancy
  - Changes in organs and tissues directly associated with childbearing
    - Ovaries
    - The uterus and the development of the placenta
    - Uterine tubes
    - Vagina
    - External genital structures
    - Other pelvic tissues
    - Breasts
  - Anatomic and physiologic changes in other organs and tissues
    - Cardiovascular and lymphatic systems
    - Respiratory tract
    - Gastrointestinal tract
    - Liver
    - Urinary tract
    - Blood
    - Endocrine system
    - Skin
  - Metabolic changes
    - The basal metabolic rate
    - Weight
    - Protein
    - Carbohydrates
    - Fat
    - Water
    - Minerals
- Prenatal care and testing
  - Ultrasound
  - Amniocentesis
  - Chorionic villi sampling
  - Alpha-fetoprotein screening
Abnormal changes in pregnancy
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Abortion
- Systemic diseases and pregnancy
  - Heart disease
  - Endocrine diseases
    - Diabetes
    - Thyroid disease
    - Pituitary disorders
    - Adrenal glands
  - Urinary tract diseases
  - Pulmonary disease
  - Gastrointestinal diseases
  - Nervous system disorders
- Diseases of pregnancy
  - Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
  - Gestational diabetes
  - Diseases of the placenta
    - Placenta praevia
    - Abruptio placentae
    - Placental infarction
    - Placenta accreta
    - Placental cysts and benign tumours
    - Inflammation of the placenta
    - Placental anomalies
  - Anomalies of the umbilical cord
  - Abnormalities of the amniotic fluid
    - Hydramnios
    - Oligohydramnios
  - Trophoblastic disease
    - Hydatidiform mole
    - Choriocarcinoma

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images, Videos & Interactives

Learn how researchers use biobanks, such as the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes by Early Detection study, or IMPROvED to improve maternal and newborn outcomes

initiation of pregnancy; fertilization and implantation

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implanted human embryo

umbilical cord formation

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For Students

pregnancy summary

pregnancy: Media

Videos

Learn how researchers use biobanks, such as the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes by Early Detection study, or IMPROvED to improve maternal and newborn outcomes

Learn how researchers use biobanks, such as the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes by Early Detection study, or IMPROvED to improve maternal and newborn outcomes

A discussion about obstetric and gynecological researchers using “biobanks” to improve...

Video: University College Cork, Ireland (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

How does a home pregnancy test work?

How does a home pregnancy test work?

How pregnancy tests work.

Video: © American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

Causes of morning sickness explained

Causes of morning sickness explained

Learn what causes morning sickness, or nausea, in pregnant women.

Video: © American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

How does the Rh factor affect pregnancies?

How does the Rh factor affect pregnancies?

Overview of the Rh factor and why pregnant women should be tested for it before giving...

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Images

initiation of pregnancy; fertilization and implantation

initiation of pregnancy; fertilization and implantation

Major structures and hormones involved in the initiation of pregnancy. Also seen,...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

pregnancy

pregnancy

Pregnancy, encompassing the process from fertilization to birth, lasts an average...

© Michel Borges/Fotolia

embryonic development

embryonic development

The state of development of a human embryo at the seventh week of pregnancy.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

fetal growth

fetal growth

Growth of the human fetus from the fourth month to the ninth month of pregnancy.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

implanted human embryo

implanted human embryo

Development of the human embryo, shown as half-section depictions of embryos implanted...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

umbilical cord formation

umbilical cord formation

Human embryological and fetal development. An embryo of six weeks is depicted within...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Full-term human fetus in the uterus

Full-term human fetus in the uterus

Full-term fetus in the uterus. The amnion, formed from the inner embryonic membrane,...

© Merriam-Webster Inc.

Interactives

pregnancy

pregnancy

The normal events of pregnancy.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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