Pregnancy

Pregnancy is usually thought of as a miracle and most couples look forward to having their first, or for that matter subsequent child.For the first time mother, however, this is a time of different, new experiences ranging from excitement and joy to pain, anxiety and frustration. It is a time when many reassess their life’s purpose and their roles and often, the expectant mother faces not just mental and emotional challenges, but faces major physical changes and challenges.

The average pregnancy lasts about 280 days or 40 weeks, from the date of conception to childbirth. Since the exact date of conception usually is not known, the physician determines an approximate date of birth by taking the date of the beginning of the last menstrual period, adding 7 days, counting back 3 months, and advancing the date arrived at to the following year. This is approximate, since pregnancy may be shorter than the average or can last as long as 300 days.