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During pregnancy the plasma volume increases by 40-50% and the red blood cell volume increases only by 20–30%. [22] These changes occur mostly in the second trimester and prior to 32 weeks gestation. [24] Due to dilution, the net result is a decrease in hematocrit or hemoglobin, which are measures of red blood cell concentration.
Fetal position (British English: also foetal) is the positioning of the body of a prenatal fetus as it develops. In this position, the back is curved, the head is bowed, and the limbs are bent and drawn up to the torso. A compact position is typical for fetuses. Many newborn mammals, especially rodents, remain in a fetal position well after birth.
In obstetrics, position is the orientation of the fetus in the womb, identified by the location of the presenting part of the fetus relative to the pelvis of the mother. Conventionally, it is the position assumed by the fetus before the process of birth, as the fetus assumes various positions and postures during the course of childbirth .
During pregnancy, the production of prolactin by the mother increases steadily, starting at 6–8 weeks of gestation and continuing until the end of the pregnancy. [32] Prolactin levels in the human fetal circulation see a gradual increase from around 30 weeks of gestation until birth. [ 32 ]
The first ten weeks of gestational age is the period of embryogenesis and together with the first three weeks of prenatal development make up the first trimester of pregnancy. From the 10th week of gestation (8th week of development), the developing embryo is called a fetus.
Various techniques have been tried to resolve an asynclitic position of the fetus. Vacuum extraction, a delivery assistance method used for prolonged or obstructed labor, has been shown to reverse the position from the less optimal one, known as occiput posterior or occiput transverse, to the more favorable position known as occiput anterior. [22]
By about week 21, the fetus begins to develop a regular schedule of movement. [17] The startle reflex is present in half of all fetuses by week 24 and in all fetuses by week 28. [19] Movement is restricted around this time because the fetus has grown so large it has little space for kicking or changing body position. [20]
Embryonic age: 7 weeks and 0 days until 9 weeks and 6 days old. Fetus at 10 weeks. Embryo measures 30–80 mm (1.2–3.1 in) in length. Ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds fuse during the 8th week; Intestines rotate. Facial features continue to develop. The eyelids are more developed. The external features of the ear begin to take their final shape.