A pregnant woman needs lots of iron and calcium in her diet for the production of extra haemoglobin in red blood cells and the bones of the foetus. She also needs lots of rest
the foetus of a mammal develops in the uterus.
Some mammals have many offspring and give their young very little aftercare
Others have many offspring and give their young a lot of aftercare
internal development is a lot safer than external development because then they aren’t as vulnerable to predators
The foetus develops in a bag (amnion) filled with amniotic fluid and is surrounded by a membrane. The amniotic fluid supports and protects the foetus
The mother’s blood and foetal blood do not mix.
Antibodies are also released from the placenta to the foetus
Alcohol, nicotine and other drugs can diffuse across the placenta from the mother to the foetus
Viruses can also spread across the placenta and can harm the unborn baby
Pregnancy usually lasts around 9 months
During labour: muscles in the uterus wall contract, and push the foetus out through the vagina.
Afterbirth: This is when the placenta and umbilical cord also come out
The baby is nourished by the milk made by the mother’s mammary glands
Human milk: Provides nutrients and protects the baby from infection until its own immune system is in operation
Harmful substances such as viruses and drugs can also pass into the baby through the mothers milk