Congratulations! One lucky sperm and your egg have come together in your fallopian tube! This fertilized ovum is now called a zygote, and will migrate down through your fallopian tube to your uterus. As it travels, it will undergo several rapid mitotic divisions, reaching the size of approximately 120 cells.
At this point, the embryo is now called a blastocyst. A blastocyst is made up of two cell types. It has an inner cell mass, or the embryoblast, which will form the embryo; and an outer cell mass, called the trophoblast, which forms the placenta. (Over the next nine months, the placenta will feed and nourish your baby, while also disposing of your baby's waste.) After reaching your uterus, the blastocyst will attach to the blood-rich tissue, called the endometrium, through an implantation process.
This is also when your baby's gender is determined, due to the sex chromosomes in the father's sperm. If two, or more, eggs are released from the ovaries, and then fertilized by two, or more, separate sperm, fraternal twins, or multiples, have been conceived. If one egg is fertilized and later divides in two, identical twins will develop (or divides into three, identical triplets will develop, etc).
ADVERTISEMENT
I think it’s nice
ReplyI am super excited!!! I found out that my husband and I are expecting!!! Pregnancy is such a beautiful thing to experience…
ReplyI’m gratefull
Replyexpecting for the 6th time!! excited and hoping for another little girl
ReplyI’m so excited I hope I’m pregnant this will be a great journey if I am
ReplySo excited!!!!
Replyim grateful
Replyvery informative. love it. im excited
ReplyHi everyone I just joined Everday Family yesterday Isent a couple friend requests hope to get acceptance thanks MiMi
Replyi hope am pregnant. Baby #2 <3
ReplyAww I never knew in week three is when the gender is decided 🙂
Replywho told you that?
Replyit says in the article under week by week go to week 3
ReplyThis is a good article.
Replygood info to know.
ReplyIts crazy that the gender of the baby is developing this early but we have to wait so long to find out!
Replycool
ReplyHere we go! Baby #4!
ReplyWould love to have known when this was happening.
Replyhttp://c753700.r0.cf2.rackcdn.com/pregnancy-week-3.jpg
Reply