FAQ / Life on Pern / Craft Information / Healer Craft / Pregnancy & Childbirth on Pern
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Last updated 27th July 2005 by Bree
Timewarped Pregnancy
(Anything marked OOC is something that healers on Pern would not be aware of.)
Month 1, Sevendays 1-4
A woman will miss her cycle by sevenday 2 of pregnancy. A dolphin can diagnose pregnancy by the end of sevenday 3. Particularly for riders, pregnancy is usually not suspected until the end of month at least mid-month 2.
Mother: Breasts enlarge and become tender; morning sickness appears; food cravings appear; frequent urination; fatigue may become evident; some weight loss may occur.
Baby: (OOC) Tiny limb buds appear; the heart and lungs begin to form; by the end of sevenday 3, the heart starts to beat; neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, begins to form. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is about 1/2 inch long and weighs less than one ounce.
Month 2, Sevendays 1-2
Mother: Breasts continue to be tender; morning sickness may continue; fatigue becomes more of a problem as the body adjusts to being pregnant; amount of blood in the body increases; headaches and dizziness may appear; frequent urination continues; still no weight gain.
Baby: (OOC) All major body organs and systems are formed but not completely developed; ears, ankles, and wrists are formed; eyelids form and grow but are sealed shut; fingers and toes are developed. By the end of sevenday 2, the baby is about 1 inch long and still weighs less than one ounce.
Month 2, Sevendays 3-4:
Mother: Fatigue and morning sickness should slack off by the end of sevenday 4; headaches and dizziness may appear or continue; clothes begin to feel tight around waist and chest; pregnancy may show when wearing tight clothing; mother should drink plenty of water to avoid cystitis (bladder infection); slight weight gain begins to appear (OOC - 1-3 lbs since beginning of pregnancy).
Baby: (OOC) Fingers and toes have soft nails, mouth has 20 buds that will become 'baby teeth'; lips move and the head turns; for the remainder of pregnancy, body organs mature and baby gains weight; reproductive organs begin to form by the end of sevenday 4. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is 4 inches long and weighs a little over one ounce.
Month 3, Sevendays 1-2:
Mother: Appetite increases as morning sickness goes away; energy increases; belly begins to be obvious to the casual observer; mother appears to "bloom" as skin and hair take on a healthier sheen; breast become less sensitive; urination decreases; nosebleeds and bleeding gums can occur; swelling may begin to appear in ankles, feet, hands, and/or face; (OOC) may gain 3-4 lbs.
Baby: (OOC) Moves, kicks, swallows, and can hear the mothers voice; skin is pink and transparent; ears, eyes, nose are well developed; skeleton hardens and feels more bony; reproductive organs and tastebuds develop; gender can be determined. By the end of sevenday 2, the baby is 6-7 inches long and weighs about 5 ounces.
Month 3, Sevendays 3-4:
Mother: Baby can be felt moving - a sensation like a fluttering bird's wings; heartbeat is faster; leg cramps can occur at night; vague back pain may appear (OOC) may gain 3-4 lbs.
Baby: (OOC) Becomes more active, turning from side to side and head over heels; fingernails have grown to the tips of fingers; sleeps and wakes at regular intervals; if baby's thumb floats to its mouth, it will suck the thumb; time of rapid growth. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is 8-12 inches long and weights 1/2 to 1 pound.
Month 4, Sevendays 1-4:
Mother: Baby can be felt moving strongly now, kicking and turning; the skin on the belly may start to itch due to rapid expansion of the stomach; back pain may occur; the muscles of the stomach may ache as the womb stretches; mother will start putting on weight; nosebleeds and bleeding gums can occur; swelling may begin to appear in ankles, feet, hands, and/or face; (OOC) may gain 3-4 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) Skin is red, wrinkled, and covered in fine, soft hair; eyelids begin to part and eyes open; finger and toe prints can be seen; rapid growth continues. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is 11-14 inches long and weighs 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. If born now, baby will not survive.
Month 5, Sevendays 1-2:
Mother: Nosebleeds and bleeding gums can occur; swelling may begin to appear in ankles, feet, hands, and/or face; stretch marks may appear on stomach and breasts; false labor contractions may occur; sense of balance fades as belly enlarges - risk of falling becomes high; others can see the stomach stretch and move with the baby's kicks and turns; may experience shortness of breath; have trouble sleeping; (OOC) may gain 3-4 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) Can open and close its eyes, suck its thumb, and cry; exercises by kicking and stretching; responds to light and sound. By the end of sevenday 2, the baby is about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds. If born now, the baby will not survive.
Month 5, Sevendays 3-4:
Mother: May develop a 'waddling' walk (OOC: pelvic cartilage softens to accommodate labor); stronger false labor contractions may occur; breasts may leak due to the beginning of milk production; sleeping becomes difficult due to inability to get comfortable; shortness of breath likely to occur; eat smaller meals several times a day as baby crowds the stomach; may notice the shape of a heel or elbow against the abdomen; continue regular daily activities, but stop any lifting or other strenous work; (OOC) may gain 3-5 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) rapid brain growth; too big to move around, but can kick strongly and roll; bones of the head are soft and flexible; lungs may still be immature; can hiccup, but doesn't breath yet. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds. If born now, the baby could possibly survive, but with possible complications and much care. Male infants less likely to survive than females (OOC - slower organ maturity).
Month 6, Sevendays 1-4:
Mother: Belly button may stick out; breathing eases as baby descends into a head-down position to prepare for birth; frequent urination becomes a problem again; swelling of feet and ankles may increase; discomfort increases as the pressure and weight of the baby wear on the body - get frequent rest; breasts may already be producing milk; (OOC) may gain 3-4 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) lungs are mature and ready to function on their own; period of most rapid weight gain as baby puts on fat. By then end of sevenday 4, the baby is 19-21 inches long and weighs 6-9 pounds. Labor will begin sometime during the last two sevendays of this month. Earlier births will result in much smaller babies.
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Month 1, Sevendays 1-4
A woman will miss her cycle by sevenday 2 of pregnancy. A dolphin can diagnose pregnancy by the end of sevenday 3. Particularly for riders, pregnancy is usually not suspected until the end of month at least mid-month 2.
Mother: Breasts enlarge and become tender; morning sickness appears; food cravings appear; frequent urination; fatigue may become evident; some weight loss may occur.
Baby: (OOC) Tiny limb buds appear; the heart and lungs begin to form; by the end of sevenday 3, the heart starts to beat; neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, begins to form. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is about 1/2 inch long and weighs less than one ounce.
Month 2, Sevendays 1-2
Mother: Breasts continue to be tender; morning sickness may continue; fatigue becomes more of a problem as the body adjusts to being pregnant; amount of blood in the body increases; headaches and dizziness may appear; frequent urination continues; still no weight gain.
Baby: (OOC) All major body organs and systems are formed but not completely developed; ears, ankles, and wrists are formed; eyelids form and grow but are sealed shut; fingers and toes are developed. By the end of sevenday 2, the baby is about 1 inch long and still weighs less than one ounce.
Month 2, Sevendays 3-4:
Mother: Fatigue and morning sickness should slack off by the end of sevenday 4; headaches and dizziness may appear or continue; clothes begin to feel tight around waist and chest; pregnancy may show when wearing tight clothing; mother should drink plenty of water to avoid cystitis (bladder infection); slight weight gain begins to appear (OOC - 1-3 lbs since beginning of pregnancy).
Baby: (OOC) Fingers and toes have soft nails, mouth has 20 buds that will become 'baby teeth'; lips move and the head turns; for the remainder of pregnancy, body organs mature and baby gains weight; reproductive organs begin to form by the end of sevenday 4. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is 4 inches long and weighs a little over one ounce.
Month 3, Sevendays 1-2:
Mother: Appetite increases as morning sickness goes away; energy increases; belly begins to be obvious to the casual observer; mother appears to "bloom" as skin and hair take on a healthier sheen; breast become less sensitive; urination decreases; nosebleeds and bleeding gums can occur; swelling may begin to appear in ankles, feet, hands, and/or face; (OOC) may gain 3-4 lbs.
Baby: (OOC) Moves, kicks, swallows, and can hear the mothers voice; skin is pink and transparent; ears, eyes, nose are well developed; skeleton hardens and feels more bony; reproductive organs and tastebuds develop; gender can be determined. By the end of sevenday 2, the baby is 6-7 inches long and weighs about 5 ounces.
Month 3, Sevendays 3-4:
Mother: Baby can be felt moving - a sensation like a fluttering bird's wings; heartbeat is faster; leg cramps can occur at night; vague back pain may appear (OOC) may gain 3-4 lbs.
Baby: (OOC) Becomes more active, turning from side to side and head over heels; fingernails have grown to the tips of fingers; sleeps and wakes at regular intervals; if baby's thumb floats to its mouth, it will suck the thumb; time of rapid growth. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is 8-12 inches long and weights 1/2 to 1 pound.
Month 4, Sevendays 1-4:
Mother: Baby can be felt moving strongly now, kicking and turning; the skin on the belly may start to itch due to rapid expansion of the stomach; back pain may occur; the muscles of the stomach may ache as the womb stretches; mother will start putting on weight; nosebleeds and bleeding gums can occur; swelling may begin to appear in ankles, feet, hands, and/or face; (OOC) may gain 3-4 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) Skin is red, wrinkled, and covered in fine, soft hair; eyelids begin to part and eyes open; finger and toe prints can be seen; rapid growth continues. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is 11-14 inches long and weighs 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. If born now, baby will not survive.
Month 5, Sevendays 1-2:
Mother: Nosebleeds and bleeding gums can occur; swelling may begin to appear in ankles, feet, hands, and/or face; stretch marks may appear on stomach and breasts; false labor contractions may occur; sense of balance fades as belly enlarges - risk of falling becomes high; others can see the stomach stretch and move with the baby's kicks and turns; may experience shortness of breath; have trouble sleeping; (OOC) may gain 3-4 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) Can open and close its eyes, suck its thumb, and cry; exercises by kicking and stretching; responds to light and sound. By the end of sevenday 2, the baby is about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds. If born now, the baby will not survive.
Month 5, Sevendays 3-4:
Mother: May develop a 'waddling' walk (OOC: pelvic cartilage softens to accommodate labor); stronger false labor contractions may occur; breasts may leak due to the beginning of milk production; sleeping becomes difficult due to inability to get comfortable; shortness of breath likely to occur; eat smaller meals several times a day as baby crowds the stomach; may notice the shape of a heel or elbow against the abdomen; continue regular daily activities, but stop any lifting or other strenous work; (OOC) may gain 3-5 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) rapid brain growth; too big to move around, but can kick strongly and roll; bones of the head are soft and flexible; lungs may still be immature; can hiccup, but doesn't breath yet. By the end of sevenday 4, the baby is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds. If born now, the baby could possibly survive, but with possible complications and much care. Male infants less likely to survive than females (OOC - slower organ maturity).
Month 6, Sevendays 1-4:
Mother: Belly button may stick out; breathing eases as baby descends into a head-down position to prepare for birth; frequent urination becomes a problem again; swelling of feet and ankles may increase; discomfort increases as the pressure and weight of the baby wear on the body - get frequent rest; breasts may already be producing milk; (OOC) may gain 3-4 more lbs).
Baby: (OOC) lungs are mature and ready to function on their own; period of most rapid weight gain as baby puts on fat. By then end of sevenday 4, the baby is 19-21 inches long and weighs 6-9 pounds. Labor will begin sometime during the last two sevendays of this month. Earlier births will result in much smaller babies.
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Referenced By: No articles yet