Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period of approximately 41 weeks during which a woman carries a fetus inside of her. In most cases, the fetus grows inside the uterus (womb). Pregnancy is measured from the last menstrual period to the birth of the child or children. Pregnancy typically lasts just over nine months and is divided into trimesters. The first trimester includes weeks 1-12 and begins with conception, which occurs when the sperm from a man penetrates and fertilizes the egg from a woman’s ovary. The fertilized egg passes through the fallopian tube to the uterus and implants itself on the uterine wall. Cells of the fertilized egg (zygote) form the fetus and the placenta. The fetus develops with nutrients and oxygen from the placenta. In the second trimester (weeks 13-28), the fetus’ sex typically becomes known. At about the 20th week, the woman will begin to feel movement from the fetus. The third trimester spans weeks 29-40. Infants born before the 37th week of pregnancy are considered pre-term babies and are at increased risk for developmental delays and other problems. Babies born in the 27th and 28th weeks of pregnancy are called early-term babies. Infants born at 41 weeks through 41 weeks and six days are considered late-term babies, and infants born at 42 weeks and beyond are called post-term babies.

UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology provides comprehensive women’s health care services in a private and personal environment, with physicians dedicated to delivering excellent care. Because our physicians are specialists in their fields, you can rest assured that you’re receiving the most advanced care available. UAB’s Gynecology program is consistently ranked among the best of its kind in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Should the need arise, UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology physicians have immediate access to specialists and subspecialists who focus on a wide range of complex conditions and treatments. From infertility and high-risk pregnancies to female incontinence and gynecologic cancers, our specialized expertise is available when you need it and is supported by some of the nation’s best medical minds. Our commitment to prompt and personalized service means decreased wait times for our patients and a seamless transition from your primary care physician to your specialist.

Care Providers

Janeen Arbuckle, MD, PhD Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Amy Boone, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Margaret Boozer, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Fran Burgan, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Lindsay Doody, CRNP Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Stefanie Fieno, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology Kim Hoover, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Todd Jenkins, MD Gynecology Leigh Lorino, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology Katy Ashley Orr, CRNP Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Shweta Patel, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Kathy Robinson, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology Curry Biggio, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology Deepti Sharma, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Whitney Sharp, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology Sima Baalbaki, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Chere' Stewart, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Bethany Tidwell, CRNP Obstetrics and Gynecology

Videos

Resources

• Prenatal Care Book
• What to Pack for Labor and Delivery
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• American Pregnancy Association
• National Institutes of Health – Pregnancy
• Warning Signs of Post-Birth Complications

Related Specialties

• Comprehensive Addiction in Pregnancy Program
• Infertility
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Male Infertility
• Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Services
• Transplant Services
• Vasectomy Reversal
• Women & Infants Services