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Preconception Nutrition definitions

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  • Gestation

    Developmental timeline of embryo and fetus from conception to birth, measured from the last menstrual period in medical settings.
  • Conception

    Moment when a sperm cell fuses with an egg, forming a zygote and initiating the earliest stage of human development.
  • Zygote

    First cell formed after fertilization, marking the beginning of embryonic development.
  • Trimester

    One of three roughly equal periods dividing the 40-week pregnancy, each with distinct developmental milestones.
  • Last Menstrual Period

    Reference point used in medicine to calculate pregnancy duration, marking the start of gestational age.
  • Neural Tube Defect

    Birth abnormality resulting from inadequate folate intake, affecting the brain and spinal cord formation in early pregnancy.
  • Micronutrient

    Essential vitamin or mineral required in small amounts to support reproductive health and fetal development.
  • Teratogen

    Substance capable of disrupting fetal development, increasing risk of birth defects or miscarriage.
  • Spontaneous Abortion

    Unintentional loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks, commonly referred to as miscarriage, often linked to teratogen exposure.
  • Body Weight

    Physical status that, when managed within a healthy range before conception, improves fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
  • Folate

    B vitamin critical for early fetal neural development, with deficiency increasing risk of neural tube defects.
  • Mercury

    Toxic element found in certain fish, capable of causing developmental harm if consumed in excess during pregnancy.
  • Listeria

    Harmful bacteria present in some unpasteurized foods, associated with increased miscarriage risk.
  • Essential Fatty Acid

    Nutrient found in fish, important for fetal brain development, but best sourced from low-mercury varieties.
  • Vitamin A

    Fat-soluble nutrient that, when overconsumed, can accumulate to toxic levels and pose risks during pregnancy.