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Authoritative and practical, DK's parenting content covers
conception, pregnancy, birth and a child's early years in
comprehensive, illustrated detail. Using specially commissioned
photography, and user friendly Q and A formats, our substantial
range of pregnancy and baby care titles promise to be of great
interest to potential licensees.
We also cover more specialised topics in this field, such as baby massage, child development, and getting back into shape after pregnancy.
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Sample 'How your baby grows' taken
from 'The Pregnancy Question and Answer Book' |
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| How your baby grows |
| At the moment of conception, when the sperm penetrates the egg, the genes from both parents join to make a new combination, and your child, a unique human being, is created. Below is a visual summary of this miraculous achievement. Your pregnancy is looked at in three stages. The first 12 weeks – the first trimester – are crucial for your baby’s development. Although you may not be aware of it, the cluster of cells is multiplying into a fully formed (but immature) human being. From 13 to 25 weeks – the second trimester – your baby grows rapidly, about 5cm (2in) a month, and can now make facial expressions, swallow, hear, and kick. By 26 weeks – the third trimester – your baby could survive if born. In the last three months, he or she should double in weight, weighing an average 3.4kg (7lb 7oz) at birth. |
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| Stages of development |
| Baby at 8 weeks |
Baby at 12 weeks |
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| Your baby's limbs
are developing and the major organs are forming. |
The facial features
are apparent. Your baby has no layer of fat yet and the skin is translucent. |
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| Baby at 16 weeks |
Baby at 24 weeks |
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| Your baby now resembles a tiny human being; nails are starting to grow on the fingers and toes. |
Your baby is much larger now and very active. All the major organs are working, but the lungs and digestive system need to mature. |
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| Baby at 32 weeks |
Baby at 40 weeks |
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| Your baby's head is now more in proportion to the body. Fat is accumulating under the skin. If born at this stage, your baby stands a very good chance of survival. |
Now fully mature, much plumper and ready to emerge, your baby moves less and less as the surrounding fluid reduces and the womb is unable to expand further. |
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| From "The Pregnancy Question and Answer Book" by Dr Christoph Lees, Dr Karina Reynolds and Grainne McCartan. Copyright © 2003 Dorling Kindersley |
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