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THE MERCK MANUAL MEDICAL LIBRARY: The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Home Edition
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Introduction
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Introduction

Pregnancy begins when an egg is fertilized by a sperm. For about 9 months, a pregnant woman's body provides a protective, nourishing environment in which the fertilized egg can develop into a fetus. Pregnancy ends at delivery, when a baby is born.

Last full review/revision November 2007 by Haywood L. Brown, MD

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Next: Detecting and Dating a Pregnancy

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