The 40 Weeks of Pregnancy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Week 2

Week 1 begins with the first day of the last menstrual cycle. At or around day 14, in a normal cycle, a woman will ovulate. If intercourse were to take place within a few days of ovulation, a pregnancy could occur. So essentially, during weeks 1 and 2, a woman's body is forming the ovum and preparing the uterus for the possibility of a conception.

Answer: hCG

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) can be detected in a pregnant woman's blood as early as 10 days after conception by very accurate blood tests. Urine tests will usually not test accurately until a woman has missed her first period (around week 5). hCG levels in a pregnant woman should double every 2-3 days. Woman pregnant with multiple births can expect these levels to be higher. hCG levels tend to peak around weeks 8-10 in a normal pregnancy and then taper off somewhat during the last trimester. High levels of hCG associated with the early weeks of pregnancy are thought to contribute to morning sickness.

Answer: Week 3

The 'blastocyst' or group of multiplying cells, will burrow itself into the lush lining of the womb. There it will separate into two parts--one part will form the placenta, and the second part will become the baby.

Answer: ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic (or tubal) pregnancy can go undetected for up to week 16. It is sometimes referred to as a tubal pregnancy because up to 97% of all ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube. Symptoms of a possible tubal pregnancy can include severe and persistent abdominal pain, usually on one side, abnormal bleeding, shoulder pain, feeling faint and rectal pressure. Patients with a suspected ectopic pregnancy should seek emergency medical help.

These cases, unfortunately always require immediate surgery.

Answer: Week 6

Although baby is only about the size of an apple seed, its tiny heart has begun to beat and can be detected by the highly accurate vaginal ultrasound. How exciting!

Answer: all of these

Yes, all of the above can help. Try not letting your stomach get too empty. Stay away from fatty foods and try foods higher in carbohydrates. Also drinking between meals instead of with your meals seems to help. Ginger and peppermint teas can sometimes settle the stomach. Always check with your doctor before taking anything medicinal or herbal.

In some severe cases your doctor can prescribe safe medications that help alleviate the nausea.

Answer: all of these

Miscarriage, by definition, is a pregnancy that ends itself before week 20. Warning signs of a possible pregnancy loss can include light spotting (brown or bright red), persistent bleeding, heavy bleeding, passage of clots, backache, and cramping. If you experience any of these symptoms inform your physician immediately.

Answer: Week 16-18

Amniocentesis is a delicate procedure where a long needle is inserted through the mother's belly and into the sac surrounding baby from where amniotic fluid is drawn. This fluid can then be tested in a lab for many possible birth defects, such as Down's Syndrome and Spina Bifida. This test can also detect baby's sex and is 100% accurate.

Answer: low birth weight babies

Diabetes in pregnancy will usually always disappear after delivery. Babies in such pregnancies are usually very large and cause very difficult deliveries sometimes necessitating a C-section. Also, a lot of these mothers will have an overabundance of amniotic fluid which is very uncomfortable for Mom and which will sometimes lead to premature labour.

Answer: all of these

Labour is different for every woman. For some, the contractions may start right on the due date, come hard and fast with delivery happening within a few hours. For others, the due date may come and go, and they will end up being induced to start labour. With your first baby, especially, it can be difficult to determine when you are in 'real' labour. Your doctor understands your fears and can be very helpful. Don't hesitate to call her/him if you think you are in labour. You won't be the first patient to have called with a false alarm! :)