First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Week 3

Fetal Development: Sperm meets egg within the fallopian tube and the miracle of life begins. Although several sperm may penetrate the egg's outer layer, only one sperm will enter the ovum and fertilize it. In the middle of the ovum, the chromosomes of mother and father splash about and bits of information from both begin to form the chromosomes of your baby. At the moment of conception, your baby's gender is determined thanks to the sex chromosomes in the father's sperm. If you don't like the gender of your baby, blame dad.

Multiples: If two eggs are released from the ovary (or one egg from each ovary) and are fertilized by two separate sperm, fraternal twins (dizygotic) have been conceived. Fraternal twins can be the same sex or boy/girl, and will look as much alike or as different as any siblings. If one egg is fertilized and later divides in two, identical twins will develop (or divides into three, identical triplets will develop, etc).

Identical multiples have the same chromosomal makeup so will be the same gender, and have the same hair and eye color, blood type, etc. Only one-third of all twins are identical (monozygotic).

In the case of triplets or quadruplets, etc., any combination is possible. Three (or four or more) eggs can be fertilized creating fraternal triplets, etc. One fertilized egg can split into identical twins with another fertilized egg making it a triplet pregnancy (two identical babies and one fraternal). Or one egg can split into three creating identical triplets, etc.


Maternal Changes:

Around the 14th day from the start of your last menstrual cycle, one of the ripened eggs is released from your ovary and is drawn into your fallopian tube where conception occurs.
You may experience some spotting or bleeding at the time the blastocyst implants into your uterus. Don't be alarmed ~ it's normal, but not all women will experience this. Most women are unaware of the exact moment of conception.


Multiples: Same as for singletons except times two (or three or four . . .)


Ideas for Dad: You may still be making regular deposits in the conception effort. Enjoy because your life is about to change dramatically!


Inspirational Thoughts: That most sensitive, most delicate of instruments: the mind of a little child. ~Henry Handel Richardson