Re: dr please

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• In reply to: ambika: "dr please"

During the first 2 weeks after conception (3rd and 4th week approximately from last period) the embryo is not succeptible to teratogenesis because anything it is exposed to that causes a serious problem will automatically just result in the death of the embryo and a spontaneous abortion (you'll probably never know you had conceived). Around day 5 after fertilization, the conceptus begins to superficially implant in the uterus and at day 10 after fertilization it is completely implanted. That means that it is now getting its nutrients from the maternal blood supply, not just by diffusion. So, technically, by day 10 you can count on what you take in being exposed to the embryo.

Since most people don't know they are pregnant until after the first missed period (about 14 days after fertilization), this 2 week grace period is nature's way of not really penalizing you for doing things that you didn't know would hurt the embryo (since you didn't know you had an embryo in the first place). However, as soon as you know you are pregnant, you are responsible for getting your act together and avoiding teratogenic substances that can cause major congenital anomalies. Major congenital anomalies can arise anywhere between week 3 and the end of week 8 (the embryonic period) and after that (week 9 to term) functional defects and minor anomalies will arise.

I hope this helps! For more info on teratogens, there are many many good sites on the web!

: )

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• In reply to: ambika: "dr please"