Baby
at 1-3 weeks
Your pregnancy is dated from the start of your last
period, although conception usually occurs 2 weeks later. Thus,
by time you miss a period, you will probably be 5 weeks
pregnant. A full term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks so your
estimated date of delivery (EDD) will be 40 weeks from your
last menstrual period (LMP).
Development
Approximately 14 days before your period
is due, your body releases an egg and the lining of your
uterus starts to thicken. It only takes one sperm to
fertilize the egg and for the process of growth and
development to begin. The tail separates from the head of
the sperm as soon as it penetrates the egg, and cell
division begins and develop to form the zygote.
Approximately 4 days after fertilization it is a solid
cluster of cells, called a morula.
About a week after fertilization, the balls of
cells now hollow in the center and called a blastocyst
reaches the uterus. The blastocyst will attach itself to the
wall of your uterus and begin to embed deep into the lining.
The process is called implantation. The cluster of cells
very quickly produces an outer layer which will develop into
the placenta and amniotic sac and an inner layer which will
develop into the embryo. The outer layer has root like
structures that bury into the lining of the uterus. These
become the route by which nutrients and oxygen are
transported from your circulation to what will soon be the
developing placenta and embryo.
Appearance
This hollow cluster (morula)is microscopic
in size. By the time it implants in the uterus at around 10
days it resembles a greyish blackberry and is called
blastocyst. This hollow cluster grow and develop into the
embryo.
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