Difference Pregnancy and Gestation
What is gestation and pregnancy?In humans, the process of reproduction is sexual. It involves the union of the sperm produced by the male and the ovum produced by the female. This process is called fertilization. It results in the formation of the zygote, which undergoes divisions to develop into the embryo. The embryo then develops into the foetus. The growth and development of the foetus takes place in the uterus.
Gestation is the period of time between conception/fertilization and birth. During this time, the baby grows and develops inside the mother’s womb. Gestation means carrying, to carry or to bear. Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or foetus inside the female’s womb in mammals and non-mammalian species. Pregnancy, more accurately, is the process and series of changes that take place in a woman’s body and tissues as a result of the developing foetus. During a pregnancy, there can be one or more gestations occurring simultaneously; for example in case of twins.
Difference in duration
The gestational age is counted as the time since the first day of the last menstrual period. Conception occurs two weeks after the last menstrual period. The time period of gestation is called the gestational period. The gestational period is 266 days or 40 weeks or 9 months.
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each three months long. First trimester starts from the last period to the 13th week. Second trimester starts from the 14th to 27th week. Third trimester starts from 28th to 40th week. Normal pregnancy occurs at the gestational age of 38-42 weeks. Infants born before 37 weeks are called premature. Birth taking place after 42 weeks is post mature delivery.
During the gestational period, the fetal development occurs in three phases. Firstly, the ovular period, followed by the embryonic period which lasts up to the 10th week and lastly, is the fetal period upto delivery. At 5 weeks, the cells of the embryo specialise into the nervous system, organs, skin etc. The embryo is made up of 3 layers- the outer ectoderm, the middle layer called mesoderm and the inner layer called endoderm.
During pregnancy, the female gains weight and develops symptoms like nausea, vomiting, tiredness, increased frequency of urination and tenderness in the breast. Other symptoms include constipation, heartburn, piles, varicose veins, leg cramps and backache. Stretch marks appear on the thighs, abdomen, buttocks and breast. There are other subtle signs that announce a pregnancy as well, like the vagina becomes deep blue in colour, etc.
Pregnancy is diagnosed by the urine pregnancy test. Increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in the blood and urine are diagnostic. Ultrasonography is useful in determing the fetal age and confirming the pregnancy.
Summary:
Gestation is the time period between conception and birth during which the embryo or foetus is developing inside the uterus. Gestation means to carry. Gestational age is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual cycle. Gestational period in a human female normally is 266 days. Pregnancy is the series of changes that take place in a woman’s body tissues as a result of the developing foetus. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters each lasting for 3 months.
A multiple gestation pregnancy is one where the mother carries more than one fetus.
According to March of Dimes, 3 percent of women will experience a multiple pregnancy each year. Most multiple gestation pregnancies are with twins.
This article looks at what happens with a multiple gestation pregnancy, the different symptoms that may occur, potential risks, and care options that are available.
Contents of this article:
- Having a multiple gestation pregnancy
- Symptoms of a multiple pregnancy
- Prenatal care
- Risks and complications
- Delivery options
Having a multiple gestation pregnancy
The chance of multiple gestation pregnancies may be higher when there is a family history.
Fraternal twins are not identical and occur when two eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. In cases of fraternal multiples, the fetuses are not genetically identical.
Certain women are more likely than others to have a multiple gestation pregnancy. These women include:
- Those who have undergone fertility treatments
- Women over the age of 30
- Those with a family history of multiple gestation pregnancy
- Obese women
- Black or Caucasian women
Doctors can find this out by carrying out an ultrasound exam. Twins are defined into one of three categories:
- Dichorionic-diamniotic: These are either fraternal or identical twins who most commonly have their own placenta, chorions, and amniotic sacs.
- Monochorionic-diamniotic: These are identical twins who share a placenta and chorion but have their own amniotic sacs. These twins can experience a complication known as twin-twin transfusion syndrome. One twin "donates" blood to the other, resulting in one twin with too much blood and the other with too little.
- Monochorionic-monoamniotic: These are identical twins sharing a chorion, amniotic sac, and placenta. These twins more frequently experience complications, including problems with the umbilical cord.
Symptoms of a multiple pregnancy
Some women may experience symptoms or happenings out of the ordinary for a single gestation pregnancy. These signs and symptoms can include:- Very sore breasts
- Excessive hunger or rapid weight gain in the first trimester
- Simultaneous fetal movements in different areas
- Severe morning sickness
- Multiple fetal heartbeats
- A larger uterus
- A rise in levels of certain substances in the blood known as human chorionic gonadotrophin and alpha-fetoprotein
Prenatal care
Multiple gestation pregnancies may require more visits to a healthcare provider.
Diet
As with any pregnancy, diet and exercise are important factors in maintaining the health of mother and fetuses. While there is no special diet to follow, additional folic acid, protein, iron, and calcium are needed.Prenatal vitamins are a great way to be sure that women are getting some of the additional nutrients they need. Women who are carrying more than one fetus do not need to increase the dose, however. These vitamins should be taken as with a single pregnancy or as directed.
Exercise and weight gain
Exercise should be discussed with a healthcare provider as certain exercises may not be recommended. Yoga, swimming, and walking are generally good options. Each pregnancy is unique, however, and so these may or may not be recommended.At times, multiple pregnancies require the following:
- Less activity later in pregnancy
- Bed rest
- Reduced travel or work activities
Women who are carrying more than one baby will gain more weight than their single gestation counterparts.
According to March of Dimes, women carrying twins who were a healthy weight before conception should gain anywhere from 37 to 54 pounds during their pregnancy.
This amount decreases if they were overweight or obese before conception. For overweight women, 31 to 50 pounds is recommended, whereas obese women are only recommended to gain 25 to 42 pounds.
Genetic testing
If genetic testing is desired during a multiple pregnancy, it is important to note that tests using maternal blood are less sensitive than in single baby pregnancies.Tests such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis are also more challenging to complete due to the need to test each fetus. One fetus may be affected by a genetic abnormality while others are not.
Risks and complications
Multiple gestation pregnancies experience higher rates of complications than single gestation pregnancies. Most commonly, women experience preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks' gestation.Preterm infants may experience health complications including breathing, eating, and temperature control problems. They may also experience complications that can lead to cerebral palsy, a group of movement disorders.
At times, some preterm infants may go on to develop behavioral or learning problems during both childhood and adulthood.
If born at or before 32 weeks' gestation, babies can experience more severe health conditions or death.
Cesarean deliveries may be more common in multiple gestation pregnancies.
- Anemia
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Preterm labor - labor before 37 weeks
- Severe morning sickness
- Excessive amniotic fluid
- Miscarriage and stillbirth
- Postpartum depression
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Disabilities, such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and congenital heart defects
- Unequal growth in which one baby is significantly smaller than the other
- Low birth weight, where a baby is born at less than 5 pounds 8 ounces
- Twin-twin transfusion syndrome
Delivery options
Multiples can be delivered either vaginally or via cesarean delivery. The decision on mode of delivery is based on several factors. These include:- The number of babies
- Their position
- Weight and health status
- Health of the mother
- How the labor is progressing
- Complications
- Experience of the doctors present
Pregnancy can raise a lot of questions. Women should speak with their healthcare provider if they think they may be experiencing a multiple gestation pregnancy. They should also speak with their provider if they have specific questions or have experienced symptoms related to their pregnancy.
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