Sexual Education Manual: Biological Information on Human Sexuality (1969)

V. Pregnancy

Regular doctor’s visits are necessary during pregnancy.

The average duration of a pregnancy is 280 days (=10 pregnancy months at 28 days each). The estimated due date is easy to calculate. Starting from the first day of your last menstrual period, count back 3 months and then add 7 days. If a pregnancy ends in the first sixth months, then it is called a miscarriage. Babies born from the seventh month on are considered premature.

Changes in the uterus during the various months of pregnancy

At the end of the third month, the uterus is the size of a fist. In the sixth month, it reaches the height of the navel, and in the eighth month it reaches the bottom of the ribcage. Four weeks before the birth, it drops, shifting outward and downward by about 3 cm.

Schematic diagram of the muscle layer of the uterus

The muscle fibers of the uterus spiral around the uterus at an oblique angle; longitudinal and circular layers of muscle fiber [stretch to] accommodate the growing baby. During pregnancy, uterine muscle fibers grow to twenty times their normal length.

Nutrition

The baby is fed through the placenta. The umbilical cord connects the placenta and the fetus. It is 50-60 cm in length, long enough to ensure mobility in the womb. One vein and two arteries pass through the umbilical cord. As long as the baby is in the womb, the umbilical cord absorbs food and oxygen through the blood and returns waste products to the mother.

1st month of pregnancy

A missed menstrual period is usually the first sign of pregnancy. Basal body temperature measurements also provide clues: a pregnancy is suspected if there is no drop in basal body temperature. Various options are available to the doctor in the way of pregnancy testing.

By the end of the first month of pregnancy, the embryo already has a head, and the beginnings of the eyes, ears, mouth, and brain can be made out. At this point, the cardiovascular system consists of a 2 mm-long tube that contracts rhythmically every second. In the first four weeks, the embryo grows by a factor of fifty.

2nd month of pregnancy

After the seventh week, the heart already beats strongly. The brain, stomach, liver, and kidneys are already active, and fingers and toes start growing on the hands and feet; the eyelids shield the eyes, and the tongue and teeth develop inside of the mouth.

3rd month of pregnancy

The embryonic stage concludes at the end of the third month of pregnancy. This marks the beginning of the fetal stage, during which the baby grows mainly in terms of weight and length.

Fingers and toes are now equipped with nail beds; the eyelids remain closed for the next three months. The baby’s sex is now discernible. Ovaries and a uterus can already be seen in girls, testicles in boys. At this point, the baby can already grasp, make facial expressions, bend and stretch its arms and legs and move its head. The amniotic fluid facilitates fetal movement and protects the baby from injuries, blows, and other external impacts.

4th month of pregnancy

At this stage, the baby's heart pumps about 30 liters of blood through its vascular system every 24 hours and supplies nutrients to the rapidly growing organs.

5th month of pregnancy

By now, the baby’s movements are so vigorous that the mother can feel them. At 120-150 beats per minute, the baby’s heartbeat is clearly audible. Hair and eyelashes grow; fingernails and toenails slowly emerge from the nail beds.

6th month of pregnancy

Now that the baby takes up more and more space, the mother’s digestive organs become compressed. During this time, small pads of fat start to form under the baby's skin, and its veins can no longer be seen so easily. At the same time, the baby’s muscles grow, its hands can already grip something, and its whole body is covered in soft, downy hair.

7th month of pregnancy

The increased size and weight of the uterus causes the pregnant woman to shift her body weight. She tries to compensate for this by altering her posture, which in turn causes greater curvature of the lumbar spine.

If a baby is born in the seventh month, there is a chance of survival with medical intervention. -- Now its eyes are fully formed, and its eyelids can open and close. The baby's movements become more precise, and it can put its thumb in its mouth without difficulty.

8th month of pregnancy

The enlargement of the uterus and the compression of the digestive organs hinder the mother's freedom of movement. The mother provides the unborn baby with antibodies against certain communicable diseases. After birth, these antibodies will offer the baby limited protection until it is four months old.

9. Month of Pregnancy

The baby’s movements are stronger and livelier. The baby assumes the head position shown in the illustration and remains in this position until birth. The mother starts to experience some physical relief, as the uterus drops and tips forward.

10. Month of Pregnancy

The baby is now completely viable.

Overview of the Length and Weight of the Baby (Average Values)

	Length	Weight
1st month	1 cm (1 x 1)	-
2nd month	4 cm (2 x 2)	11 g
3rd month	9 cm (3 x 3)	40 g
4th month	16 cm (4 x 4)	170 g
5th month	25 cm (5 x 5)	500 g
6th month	30 cm (6 x 5)	800 g
7th month	35 cm (7 x 5)	1300 g
8th month	40 cm (8 x 5)	2300 g
9th month	45 cm (9 x 5)	2700 g
10th month	50 cm (10 x 5)	3200 g

Position of the uterine floor during the various months of pregnancy

Schematic diagram of the muscle layer of the uterus [Längsfaserschicht: longitudinal muscle fiber layer; Ringfaserschicht: circular muscle fiber layer; Gebärmutterband: uterine ligament; Eierstockband: ovarian ligament]

1st, 2nd, 3rd months of pregnancy

6th, 7th, 9th months of pregnancy

Development from Embryo to Fetus

Embryonic Stage The 6-week-old embryo is surrounded by nourishing tissue. Through the villi, it absorbs nutrients from the mother’s blood. It is about 1.5 centimeters in size.

Here, in the same embryo, one can see the first thickenings on the hand, from which the fingers will develop. The toes develop a bit later.

This embryo is 7 weeks old and has already developed fingers and toes. Its ears are not yet in their final place, and its eyes are still without lids.

Fetal stage The 10-week-old fetus is surrounded by the amniotic sac, which acts like a veil. He keeps his eyes closed. The umbilical cord lies between his legs. The budding sexual organ indicates that it is a boy.

The unborn baby is 5 months old and 25 cm long. He rests in the amniotic sac, which is filled with amniotic fluid and connected to the placenta by the umbilical cord.

The same baby viewed from the other side: his head and body hair are visible. He appears to be sleeping but can already make himself felt with strong kicks.