Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the process (state?) where a mammal(only?) carries a live offspring from conception until it develops to the point where the offspring is capable of living outside the womb.

Pregnancy results when a sperm cell from the male fertilizes an ovum ("egg cell") from the female. In practical terms this means when semen is ejaculated into the vagina during sexual intercourse (or occasionally when semen contacts the vulva and the sperm then enter the vagina themselves) , or when an ovum is artificially fertilized through [assisted conception]?, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), or similar means.

When pregnancy is not desired, contraception (birth control) must always be used during sexual intercourse.

Pregnancy starts with conception? and ends with labour.
In humans it usually lasts 40 weeks counting from the date of last menstrual? bleeding.

The main hormones that affect a pregnant female are progesterone? and [chorionic gonadotropine]?.

There are numerous physiological changes that develop throught pregnancy.

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• todo2?
• todo3?
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Terms often associated with pregnancy :

• [ectopic pregnancy]?
• eclampsia?
• [antenatal care]?
• miscarrige?
• [assisted conception]?
• [in vitro fertilization]? (IVF)
• prematurity? or [preterm labour]?
• [Caesarean section]?

See also Sex, Pelvic inflammatory disease