Pregnancy usually takes nine months from

conception, or fertilization. Early in a woman’s

pregnancy, there is an increase in the levels of the
hormones estrogen and progesterone. The first
results of this increase are tenderness and fullness
in the breasts and “morning sickness”, during
which the woman is experiencing dizziness and
vomiting. The uterus increases in size as the fetus
grows. By the 20th week, the weight of the uterus is
about 20 times what it was before conception, and
the movement of the fetus can already be felt. By
the 27th week, the movement of the fetus can also
be seen.
By the time the baby is ready to be born, its
head is positioned towards the opening of the
uterus in to the vagina. Childbirth begins with
labor, i.e. when the muscles of the uterus
repeatedly contract and relax. These contractions
move the baby slowly toward the vagina. The
amniotic sac breaks, the fluid is released, and the
muscle contractions follow more frequently and
stronger until the baby is born.
Immediately after birth, the baby is blue
because it stopped taking oxygen through the
umbilical cord. But once the baby takes its first
breath, and its blood is refurnished with oxygen,
the baby turns pink. To initiate the baby’s first
breath, the doctor or nurse may hold the baby up-
side-down and give a slight tap at her back. The
baby’s first cry is her first breath. Sometimes, if this
does not happen, the doctor or nurse may have
suck out the fluid from the baby’s nose. The
umbilical cord is tied and cut off. What remains of it
will dry up and fall after a few days.
Pregnancy should not be taken lightly. The
woman should seek prenatal care from an
obstetrician in order to ensure safe childbirth.
Blood and urine tests are among the important
medical tests made. Ultra sound imaging is also
necessary to “see” the position and condition of
the fetus.
ACTIVITY 11
Multiple choice. Each item in the test consist of four
(4) options. Choose the correct answer. 55
1. How long does pregnancy usually take?
a. 7 months
b. 1 year
c. 9 months
d. 1 year & 5 months
44
2. In childbirth, what does labor refer to?
a. Labor refers to the series of muscle
contractions of the uterus.
33
b. Labor begins when the amnion breaks and
the amniotic fluid is released. 22
c. Labor means the actual delivery of the baby.
d. Labor refers to the effort made by the mother
in pushing the baby out of her womb. 11
3. Why are most babies blue immediately after
delivery?
5
a. There is little blood flowing through
their blood vessels.
b. They lack oxygen in their blood. 4
c. They are still covered with the amniotic
fluid. 3
d. All of these.
2
1
4. What is the normal position of the baby when
it is ready to be born?
a. Its head is positioned towards 5the
opening of the uterus.
b. It is in a right-side-up position. 4
c. It is ready in any position.
d. Its legs are positioned towards 3the
opening of the uterus.
2
1
5. Why do doctors usually make newborn
babies cry?
5
a. To make sure that the babies are born
alive.
b. To make the babies take their 4 first
breath.
3
c. To make the mother know that her baby
is OK.
d. It is customary to do that. 2
1
6. What happens to the umbilical cord after the
baby is born?
[A] The cord is cut to separate the baby from 5
the mother.
[B] It is tied and what remains of it will dry 4
and
fall off after few days.
[C] It is inserted back into the baby’s navel. 3
[D] It is wrapped around her body until it dries.
a. [A] and [B] c. [B] 2
b. [B],[C] and [D] d. [A] and [D]
1
Baby in the womb

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