The longest medically documented pregnancy is generally considered to be 375 days (over 12 months), held by Beulah Hunter in Los Angeles in 1945, whose baby girl, Penny Diana, was born healthy, defying typical pregnancy timelines which are around 280 days (9.5 months). While some claims and historical accounts mention even longer periods, like Marguerite Rouff's purported five-year pregnancy (likely a lithopedion or stone baby, not a living fetus), Beulah Hunter's case is the recognized record for a viable birth after an exceptionally prolonged gestation.
But other doctors at Los Angeles' Methodist Hospital found it incredible that Mrs. Hunter had been pregnant 375 days (instead of the normal 280) before her baby was born there last week; 375 days would be the longest pregnancy on record, topping the runner-up by about 58 days. The evidence as presented by Dr.
In Australia, the chance of pregnancies going beyond 42 weeks gestation is in the order of less than five per cent. Jackie Chan has claimed he was born three months overdue, spending a total of 12 months in his mother's womb.
Most pregnancies last 37 to 42 weeks, but some take longer. If your pregnancy lasts more than 42 weeks, it is called post-term (past due). This happens in a small number of pregnancies. While there are some risks in a post-term pregnancy, most post-term babies are born healthy.
Black alpine salamanders are amphibians that live in the Central and Eastern Alps and give birth to live young. Their pregnancies can last from two to three years, longer than elephant gestation periods, depending on the altitude at which the salamanders live. They typically bear two fully developed young.
Did you know the longest brooding period or 'pregnancy' of any known animal is a whopping four and a half years? If you think female African elephants have it tough with their 22-month gestation period, spare a thought for the deep-sea octopus Graneledone boreopacifica.
Lizard and Snake Gestation Periods: 12 Months.
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions that are 3 minutes apart, lasting 2 minutes each, for 1 hour (or sometimes cited as 3-1-1, meaning 3 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour). For subsequent pregnancies, the 5-1-1 Rule (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour) is often used, indicating labor is progressing more quickly.
Unless you're experiencing complications, it's generally safe to pick up and carry your toddler throughout your pregnancy. When lifting them, bend with your knees and keep your back as straight as possible. If you're not able to lift your toddler, try to find other ways to make them feel special, like lap hugs.
Pregnancy is commonly thought of as 9 months but is medically calculated as 40 weeks (280 days) from your last period, which is slightly more than 9 months and often considered closer to 10 calendar months, depending on the months involved. While due dates fall around 40 weeks, it's normal for babies to arrive between 39 and 41 weeks, making the duration vary slightly.
There's no single "hardest" month, as challenges vary, but many find the first trimester tough due to nausea, fatigue, and hormonal shifts, while the third trimester (months 7-9) often brings the most physical discomfort from the baby's size, affecting sleep, mobility, and causing aches, heartburn, and frequent urination. The difficulty often shifts as pregnancy progresses, with the first months focused on adjustment and the later months on physical strain and preparation for birth.
Surprisingly, little Penny only weighed a tiny 6lbs 15oz.....
During pregnancy, avoid raw/undercooked meats, seafood (sushi, smoked), and eggs to prevent bacteria/parasites; limit high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish) and caffeine; skip unpasteurized dairy, soft cheeses, deli meats (unless heated), pâté, raw sprouts, and all alcohol; and be cautious with sugary/fatty foods and excessive salt to protect your baby's development and your health.
Multiple births of as many as 9 babies have been born alive; In May 2021, the Cissé nonuplets were born in Morocco to Halima Cissé, a 25-year-old woman from Mali. As of May 2023, two years since their births, all 9 are still living and reportedly in good health. The list of multiple births covers notable examples.
A mom whose baby was currently admitted to the Stead Family Children's Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) commented on her post. She said that the children's hospital had recently started performing lifesaving measures on babies born at 21 weeks gestation.
Having a child in your 50s. The biological reality of getting pregnant in your 50s is tricky. An unassisted pregnancy after age 45 is extremely rare, and even with IVF, the chances of getting pregnant with your own eggs at 45 is just 5% (it's 1% at age 50).
You might be surprised how quickly toddlers can begin sibling bonding, rather than rivalry. Later in pregnancy, it is definitely best to avoid lifting anything heavy at all. This in no way means that you cannot hold, rock or allow your toddler to sit on your lap.
For most people, it's best to wait 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before getting pregnant again. This lowers the risk of health problems. For some people, the best pregnancy timing may be different, including those who: Are older than 35.
Key Takeaways. Yes, babies can feel belly rubs, with touch sensitivity beginning around the 7th week of pregnancy. Fetuses actively respond to maternal belly rubs with distinct movements of their arms, heads, and mouths.
Yes, childbirth is painful. But it's manageable. In fact, nearly half of first-time moms (46 percent) said the pain they experienced with their first child was better than they expected, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in honor of Mother's Day.
Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is not hard when you know how to do it! The three golden rules are to always listen to your doctor's advice, eat healthy, and stay active. Remember, don't focus only on your baby's growth because ultimately keeping yourself healthy is the first step to keeping your baby healthy!
Pushing begins in the second stage of labor, which generally lasts around 3 hours for first-time moms. It's shorter if you've had a baby before – typically 45 minutes or less. If you get an epidural, you may not feel the urge to push, and the pushing stage might take longer.
The Asian elephant is also endangered, with global population estimates between 48,323 and 51,680. As well as being the biggest land animals, elephants also hold the title of the longest gestation period for any mammal. Both African species stay pregnant for 22 months, and Asian elephants range from 18 to 22 months.
To repel snakes immediately, use strong scents like vinegar, cinnamon oil, clove oil, or ammonia-soaked rags placed near entry points; strong smells like garlic, onion, or sulfur also work, as do natural barriers like marigolds or dense mulch, but the most effective immediate repellents rely on overwhelming their senses with pungent, irritating odors. Remember, while these deter snakes, habitat modification (removing hiding spots, food sources) is key for long-term control.
The record for the shortest mammalian pregnancy is 12 to 13 days, held jointly by the Virginia opossum, the water opossum or yapok of Central and South America, and the native cat of Australia.