Getting ready to welcome your little guest? Like all dads-to-be, you will be anxious. As you witness your partner’s pregnancy, chances are that you get surprised at each development. But, your ignorance may be bad at this time. As you get to know interesting and surprising facts about pregnancy, you may find it easy to accompany your partner in her roller-coaster ride of nine months. We have summed up a few for you.
1. One Sperm Out Of Millions Becomes Lucky
A healthy adult male can release between 40 million and 1.2 billion sperm cells in a single ejaculation.1 But, not everyone can head towards a woman’s egg. The egg plasma membrane makes sure that only one sperm takes part in fertilization. Thus, one lucky sperm fuses with the egg.
2. The Baby Is In Fact Younger Than The Gestational Age
Gestational age is calculated from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period. Even though fertilization happens two weeks after the period, this is how the age of the baby is calculated, which means that the baby is almost 15 days younger than the length of the pregnancy. Doctors follow this method as it is difficult to calculate the ovulation date or the exact date of fertilization.
3. The Baby Is All Ears
Your baby’s hearing develops at around six weeks. So, it can hear your partner’s heartbeat, burping, and talking. This is how it becomes an expert in recognizing the mother’s voice while inside the womb.
4. Loud Noise Is Not Good For Your Baby
Never allow your partner to be around loud noises as it harms the little one. Loud noises usually do not affect the baby because of the amniotic fluid protection. But, consistent exposure to loud noise can damage it’s hearing. A recent research study suggests that the sound of a pregnant woman’s mobile phone may disrupt the sleep and wake cycle of the fetus.
5. Your Unborn Baby Can Open Its Eyes Just Like You
Surprised? The fetal eyesight is well developed by week 26. Your baby can open the eyelids. And also, it can sense the bright lights outside the belly. Next time, when you want to feel a wiggle from the baby, flash a bright light on your partner’s belly.
6. Your Baby Drinks Its Own Pee
Do not go Ewwww! Even you have done that when you were in your mother’s womb. Your little one starts to empty its bladder at around eighth week of pregnancy. The urine is passed into the amniotic fluid, that surrounds your baby during pregnancy. And the baby starts to drink the same fluid, which is mixed with urine.
7. Your Baby Tastes What The Mom Tastes
Well, your baby’s food preferences may begin in the womb itself. Its taste buds develop by around week 16. When your partner eats a nutritious diet, the molecules that give the food the taste will find their way to the amniotic fluid. When the baby swallows it, the molecules in the fluid interact with the taste buds. Thus, it will be able to sense different flavors. Also, the fetus swallows more amniotic fluid when it is sweet and less when it is bitter. It proves that human beings are naturally prone to sweets.
8. Your Baby May Not Poop In The Womb
Yes, it may not. Usually, it does not happen. But, it is not rare for babies to poop in the womb. It can happen when babies pass their due date or when they experience stressful conditions. It becomes dangerous if they inhale the mix of fluid and poop, blocking its airway.
9. The Risk Of Rh-Factor
You may not have heard of this. People with Rh-positive blood group will have a protein on the surface of red blood cells. For those who do not have this, Rh-factor is Rh-negative. A test will be done during pregnancy to identify the Rh-factor of parents. If a mother’s Rh-negative blood mixes with the Rh-positive blood of the baby, then her immune system will react by making antibodies to destroy it. Usually, they do not share blood systems. But, sometimes this can happen during labor or childbirth. This is not a concern during the first pregnancy. But, you should be careful during your second pregnancy. However, a shot of Rh immunoglobulin can prevent this problem.
10. Fifty Percent Increase In Your Partner’s Blood Volume
During pregnancy, your partner’s body undergoes a lot of changes to accommodate your growing baby. The increase in blood circulation is one such thing. The blood volume increases to about 50 percent when your partner gets pregnant. The swelling, varicose veins, and pain during pregnancy can be attributed to this.
11. Traumatic Experiences Affect The Baby
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking or dangerous event. According to research studies, babies born to mothers with PTSD have a lower mean birth weight. Also, babies are more likely to develop PTSD. Even though they have not experienced scary events, they get it from their mother sometimes.
12. Better Social Support For A Healthy Baby
This is a common principle. If you take care of your partner during pregnancy, then you can have a healthier happy baby. According to a research study, a woman with several sources of support will have higher birth weight infants.2 With a number of helping hands around, the expectant mom is able to eat and sleep well, thus, reducing stress.
13. Babies Cry In The Womb
In a study assessing the effects of exposure to tobacco and cocaine during pregnancy, researchers observed babies crying in the womb. The video, which recorded ultrasound of fetuses during the third trimester, showed the traditional crying behavior in babies.3 Make sure your partner is happy and stress-free during pregnancy if you do not want to see your baby crying.
From getting pregnant to giving birth is a tough, yet, beautiful task. And to witness this growth and support an expectant mom is another pleasant experience. As you help your partner sail through this tough period, you will enjoy every moment of it. And your bundle of love will be grateful to you for offering a carefree milieu for its growth.
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