Gbenga Betiku

Hello there! I am so excited to be  her with some exciting info. Have you ever wondered how the egg that becomes your baby passes through a series of developmental processes before finally transforming into that beautiful baby? Today we begin a 3-week series on Fetal Development.  Fetal development is an orderly and intricate process. It begins before you even know you’re pregnant and ends with the birth of your baby. There are three basic stages of fetal development namely:   Germinal Stage   Embryonic Stage   Fetal Stage   Today, we examine the Germinal Stage of Fetal Development.    The germinal stage is the shortest stage of fetal development. It begins at conception when a sperm and egg combine in your fallopian tube. The sperm fertilizes the egg and creates a zygote. The zygote begins its journey down to your uterus for about one week. The zygote divides many times during this journey, eventually creating two separate structures. One structure eventually becomes the embryo (and later, the fetus), and the other becomes the placenta. Cell division continues at a rapid pace. Ultimately, the zygote turns into a blastocyst. I know you want to ask me to define a blastocyst. Well, a blastocyst is a ball of cells that forms early in a pregnancy, about five to six days after a sperm fertilizes an egg. So,  the blastocyst arrives at your uterus and implants into your uterine lining. If implantation is successful, your body immediately begins producing hormones to support a pregnancy. This process also stops your menstrual period. Yea, now you know what happens when your period suddenly stops. Okay, that’s it on the Germinal Stage of Fetal Development, and of course, that’s it for today on the blog. I know you want to hear more. Join me next time as we take a look at the Embryonic Stage of Fetal Development. Till then, stay healthy!

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. Today, we have an exciting topic to discuss on this blog: exercise during pregnancy. Many of you may have wondered whether it’s safe for pregnant women to exercise, what types of exercise they should engage in, and how much intensity and duration is appropriate. Well, worry no more because we have the answers you seek.   Before we dive in, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider and seek their guidance on whether exercise during pregnancy is safe for you. Physical activity may not be suitable for certain categories of pregnant women, so professional advice is crucial.   Engaging in at least two and a half hours of aerobic activity per week is recommended for healthy pregnant women. Activities like walking or swimming can fulfill this requirement. You don’t have to complete the entire 2½ hours in one go; instead, spread it out throughout the week. For example, you can aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most, if not all, days. If this seems like a lot, you can break up the 30 minutes into three 10-minute sessions spread throughout the day. Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and alleviate common discomforts such as back pain.   However, it’s important to note that not all exercises are safe for pregnant women. Activities like basketball, hot yoga, downhill skiing, horseback riding, and scuba diving are considered unsafe during pregnancy. As a general rule, always check with your doctor before lacing up those sneakers and hitting the jogging trail.   Let’s explore some additional benefits of staying physically active during pregnancy:   Maintains your overall physical and mental well-being. Helps you achieve appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. Alleviates common pregnancy discomforts such as constipation, back pain, and swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet. Assists in managing stress levels and improving sleep quality. I hope you’ve learned a thing or two from today’s discussion. Until next time, take care and stay healthy.  Cheers!