Fetal physiology - more detailed information (cont.)

The human fetus increases its weight 6 billion times from conception to delivery. This is by a combination of cellular multipication, and cellular growth (hyperplasia and hypertrophy respectively). Hyperplastic growth in mainly genetically determined while hypertrophy dependxs mainly on the environment. In the first 12 weeks, the fetoplacental system is not fully developed and pregnancy is supported mainly by tubal and endometrial secretion, under stimulation from the corpus luteum and other pregnancy hormones. Once the placental unit develops, growth is accelerated significantly and depends to a major extent on the normal function of this organ.

Web Links.

Pregnancy

www.ob-ultrasound.net
www.drspock.com
www.thefetus.net
www.nct-online.org
www.rcog.org.uk/guidelines
www.babycentre.co.uk
www.nutrition.org.uk/facts/dietthrulife/pregnancy.html