If You've Never Been Pregnant, You Will Fail This Quiz!

Pregnancy and motherhood really is an exciting, scary, and new experience for all women (yes, even for subsequent pregnancies). It is a journey that begins during the conception of the baby, but it doesn’t stop when the baby is born. Motherhood is a lifelong responsibility, and also a lifelong source of companionship and happiness. It won’t be without its bitter, sorrowful, or frightening moments, but those are balanced with love, joys, and laughter along the way.

So, while motherhood may be fun, it can also be incredibly difficult. We have to balance our diets accordingly, wear the right clothes, avoid certain foods and beverages, take certain medications, and worst of all, deal with the various symptoms and ailments that come along with the pregnancy! Equally important are knowing what balanced diet to feed our kids growing up, deciding where to send them for school, and navigating all manner of life decisions. It’s not an easy journey, so it is imperative that mothers be well informed! We read books, scour the internet, and ask our own mothers or our neighbors just about anything related to motherhood. We may even stumble upon strange but true facts or trivia about motherhood. If you are a mother (or mom-to-be!), test your knowledge about motherhood and try to ace this quiz!

Question 1

How long is a typical pregnancy?

Gestation periods vary widely from species to species. The shortest gestation period appears to be a species of American opossum with a length of only twelve or thirteen days! While one of the longest gestation periods belongs to the mighty elephant at a whopping 23 months! No thank you! So while a human pregnancy can feel like it takes an age, especially when you’re in the middle of it, take comfort in knowing that at least you aren’t an elephant.

Question 2

When will mom first feel the baby kick?

One of the moments many women, especially first-time moms, look forward to the most is the first time they feel their baby kick. This is referred to as, “quickening,” and it may feel like no more than a small flutter at first. In fact, many first-time moms write these early movements off as gas or other internal movements. During subsequent pregnancies, moms are generally a bit more adept at noticing the early movements of their baby. No matter when you first notice baby moving, you’re certain to remember it for the rest of your life.

Question 3

What is the best sleeping position during pregnancy?

Sleep does not first become elusive once the baby is born, it can be pretty darn hard to get during pregnancy as well. In the earlier months, it may be morning sickness keeping mom awake, while during the later months it is likely to be the aches, pains, and general discomfort of the growing baby. Most doctors today agree that the best sleeping position is whichever one allows mom to actually get some sleep, but do you know which position is scientifically safest?

Question 4

At what age, on average, do babies begin sleeping through the night?

If there’s one thing most new parents struggle with, it is the lack of sleep that comes with having a newborn. The perpetual lack of sleep can make it nearly impossible to complete what should be the simplest task, like remembering to put milk in the fridge instead of the pantry. Sleep deprivation does a number on the body so it is important, when possible, to share the burden with a partner. While those first few weeks feel never-ending at the time, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, many babies begin sleeping through the night sooner than the average.

Question 5

Why do doctors caution against eating certain types of fish while pregnant?

Once you become pregnant the list of things you suddenly are not allowed to do can seem never-ending. Don’t walk too fast, don’t sit too much. Don’t go out when the smog is bad, don’t eat honey, soft cheeses, or lunch meat. And you had best make sure to never touch those shiny receipts! While some of the restrictions need to be taken with a grain of salt, there’s a pretty good reason why doctors warn against eating certain types of fish during pregnancy.

Question 6

What blocks the cervix during pregnancy?

The human body really is a wondrous thing. It adjusts and repairs for our survival, and also the baby’s survival when the time comes. Just like our eyelashes protect our eyes from grit and dust, or our skull protects our mightily important yet extremely vulnerable brain, our bodies make adjustments when pregnant. One of these things is a blocking on the opening of the cervix so that bacteria will be prevented from entering the uterus while baby is still there!

Question 7

Which of these foods are pregnant women not cautioned against eating?

The list of things you cannot enjoy while pregnant is certainly overwhelming. Sometimes the warnings against certain products are unnecessary. Oftentimes however, it is because certain foods and drinks come with a risk of illness that would normally be no big deal, but becomes dangerous when a woman’s immune system is compromised by pregnancy. So while the constant unsolicited advice about your eating habits can be annoying, it’s important to remember that people usually have your best interests at heart. You should always consult a doctor concerning any questions about food safety during pregnancy.

Question 8

Besides the uterus, what other organ literally grows larger while pregnant?

So many physical changes happen when a woman gets pregnant: swollen feet and faces (because of added fluid retention), a bulging abdomen, morning sickness, and cravings. It’s all down to hormones of course - the body making the necessary modifications to have a healthy pregnancy. Enlarged breasts are also a given because of the hormones that stimulates milk production. There is also one other organ that grows larger because of increased blood volume. Is it not amazing- our organs literally increase in size!

Question 9

How many extra calories does a pregnant woman need to consume each day?

“Eating for two,” is a cute phrase, but how accurate is it? How many extra calories should one consume while pregnant? You may be surprised to find out that the answer is not very many at all. Of course, needs vary from woman to woman, and from pregnancy to pregnancy, but in general caloric intake does not need to increase very much at all. This doesn’t mean you should refuse the occasional extra slice of cake, though! Growing a human is hard work, and if anyone deserves an extra treat, it’s mom!

Question 10

What do you call the dark line on the lower abdomen?

During approximately 75 percent of all pregnancies, women may notice a dark line running from their abdomen. Sometimes the line runs from above the belly button to below it, or somewhere just below the bellybutton to the top of the groin. It doesn’t hurt or itch. Instead, this dark streak appears, because of… *drum roll*… hormones! That’s right, as with most things in pregnancy it’s down to hormones again. During pregnancy, certain hormones cause the darkening of many areas on the body including the areolas, the face, and this the line on the abdomen as well.

Question 11

How far into a pregnancy, in weeks, are the baby’s fingerprints established?

Fingerprints are our identifiers. Imagine, in a world of more than seven billion people, each and every one of us develops an entirely unique set of fingerprints! And what is even more amazing is that our fingerprints actually form while we are in the womb. But at what stage, you may ask? We know that babies pee in the womb, and they produce fecal matter too. We know that sometimes a baby will be born with a tooth or two. But how about fingerprints?

Question 12

Which of the following is yet another wacky pregnancy symptom?

Pregnancy causes massive changes to a woman’s body, everyone knows this. The most obvious change is, of course, the rapidly growing midsection. But did you know there are a number of other crazy things that can happen to a pregnant woman’s body? From changes in hair color and thickness, eyesight, taste in foods, and sensitivities to strong smells, a woman’s body definitely puts up with a lot. Many of these changes subside or revert altogether after the child is born. But equally, a good number of the changes become permanent.

Question 13

What is the organ that attaches to the inside of the uterus?

When a woman gets pregnant, many physical changes occur to her body. Her hands and feet swell, dark patches appear on her skin, overall blood volume is increased, and her appetite takes a topsy turvy turn! Another change that happens is inside her uterus. A “pancake-shaped organ” actually attaches to the inside of the uterus, and this serves as a “trading post” between mother and baby for their blood supply. The “nutrients from the mother’s blood are transferred to the fetal blood and the waste products are transferred to the fetal blood!”

Question 14

What hair replaces the first hair produced by the fetal hair follicles?

We know that the appearance of the hair on our bodies changes as we grow older. For example, adult body hair has a different name, and it’s what we see when we look down on our arms and legs. The first hair produced by the fetal hair follicles, meanwhile, appears as early as sixteen weeks of gestation, and grows in abundance at around twenty weeks. But this hair is replaced during childhood - with even thinner hair! It is sometimes even called “peach fuzz” because of the resemblance on the downy growths on the peach.

Question 15

Which fluid-filled organ does the baby live inside?

Babies need protection from the outside world, and so they are enveloped and suspended in some sort of fluid inside their mothers. This is sometimes referred to as the baby’s, “home, gymnasium, and protection.” This is the only place the baby stays in during the entirety of the pregnancy, and external pressures and knocks are subdued because of the presence of this material. Moreover, the baby can actually “swim and move around” this home, giving the child ample opportunity to build muscle!

Question 16

What is the lifeline that connects the fetus to the placenta?

This “organ” is part of the fetus and attaches to the placenta, developing around the fifth week of pregnancy. It serves as the only source of nutrients for the embryo. It is essentially the conduit or the passageway, perhaps, for the nutrient transfer that happens between the mother and the fetus. It can grow up to 60 cm which means the baby can safely move around without damaging the placenta. This “organ” is cut once the baby is born, and the stump that remains forms the navel!

Question 17

What month is Mother’s Day usually celebrated in North America?

Though celebrations honoring mothers can be found as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman times, there’s even an old Christian festival called Mothering Day which serves as a precedent, Mother’s Day as we know it was created by a woman called Anna Jarvis in 1908. Jarvis wanted to celebrate the sacrifices of mothers for their children. The holiday became official in the United States in 1905. Unfortunately, Jarvis later came to regret the holiday because it became commercialized; she urged people to stop purchasing things like flowers and cards.

Question 18

How long does the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest is optimal for breastfeeding?

From the moment a woman announces she is pregnant everyone will feel entitled to an opinion on how she should feed her child. Some will swear by breastfeeding exclusively, others will say a mix of formula and breastmilk is good, while some others will suggest using formula exclusively. We’re sure many of these opinionated people are well-intentioned, even though the sheer volume of advice can be intimidating. Ultimately what matters the most is that each child is fed, no matter which method mom chooses.

Question 19

What product do most consumers give their moms on Mother’s Day?

If you are a mom, we are sure you have been given this item before. In fact, you have probably been gifted many things for Mother’s Day like flowers, cards, chocolates, breakfast in bed, a nice dinner out, or even jewelry. And actually, in 2017, the US Mother’s Day spending was expected to reach $23.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation! Now, most of this figure is spent on jewelry, but jewelry is not the item that most consumers give their mothers. In fact, jewelry comprises only about 35% of planned purchases!

Question 20

What is the term for a “severe form of clinical depression” related to pregnancy?

Depression is a very serious issue and something that we must keenly take note of and watch out for. It is also incredibly important to support people experiencing such conditions. Different from the milder “baby blues,” this type of depression is experienced by “1 in 7” women. It can start as early as 3 weeks after giving birth. The mother feels a mixture of emotions such as guilt, hopelessness, and sadness, even feelings of not wanting to bond with or care for the child.

Question 21

What provides nourishment for the embryo during the early stages of development?

Just like the placenta provides nutrients that are exchanged between mommy and child, or how the umbilical cord supplies the means of transfer of the nutrients from the placenta, this “organ” serves as the primary nutrient provider for the embryo in the early stages of development! It is, “responsible for initial circulation to the developing embryo” - this process is called vitelline circulation. So this “organ” serves a circulatory function at first, but around week twelve it gets absorbed into the embryo!

Question 22

Which of the following can help alleviate pregnancy related back pain?

Pregnancy is a crazy time. As we’ve mentioned a woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes over the course of a pregnancy. Not all these changes are pleasant. In fact, some are downright uncomfortable! According to The Mayo Clinic, up to half of all women will experience back pain early on in a pregnancy, an amount that surely increases as women enter their third trimesters. While many of the pain relieving medications are not allowed during pregnancy there are still some things women can do to ease their suffering.

Question 23

How many hours does a newborn sleep each day?

When you are deep in the parenting trenches it can feel like both you and baby never sleep. But how true is that? Surely as the parent, you feel as if you are only getting a few hours a night, perhaps due to attempting to stay caught up and laundry and eating real food, or maybe because you spend every moment staring at the newest member of the family. Whatever the reason, parents of newborns definitely feel the strain of sleep deprivation. But do newborns ever sleep?

Question 24

What does the “c” in c-section mean?

Though the majority of women give birth by pushing the baby out of their vaginas and out into the world, some moms undergo a surgical procedure where doctors take the baby directly from her uterus instead! This procedure is known as c-section. It is usually performed if the usual vaginal delivery is too risky for the mother to attempt. This could be due to things like the baby being in a breech position, falling heart rates, and exhaustion. However, this type of delivery is becoming increasingly common in the US for elective reasons too.

Question 25

What is the condition where the baby is born feet/bottom first called?

Remember putting a hand on your swollen belly and feeling the baby kick? It may not feel that way at the time, but the baby does have a lot of room to move around in the uterus. This means baby’s head can move from the top to the side to the bottom of the abdomen, where it usually will go if labor is near. However, when the baby is still positioned bottom first, this kind of birth happens. Doctors sometimes determine that a c-section is better or safer than vaginal delivery when this condition presents.

Question 26

What do you call the “first milk” mothers produce?

Let’s take a trip back high school, shall we? You probably first learned about this during health or science class, so it might feel like the word is on the tip of your tongue! This form of milk is produced by mammals, including humans, during pregnancy or just prior to giving birth. It has higher protein content, more antibodies, and is yellowish in color. It is a good way to give newborns the nutrients they need! It is also sometimes referred to as “beestings” as well as “first milk.”

Question 27

Which is not a symptom of pregnancy?

You have seen it happen on television many times: the first wave of dizziness as the young woman gets up from bed, the hand on her belly, then her mouth as she tries to stop the onslaught of nausea and vomit. These are just the common visible signs of pregnancy we are often told about or shown. A missed period is, of course, the biggest red flag (no pun intended), but there are also other symptoms of pregnancy that people don’t know about like heartburn, food aversions, and even mild spotting.

Question 28

How do we measure pregnancy?

When we say “term” in reference to a pregnancy, we are not talking about the strange words or phrases that are involved in pregnancy. What we are talking about is the way we measure the whole pregnancy journey! Pregnancies are measured from the first day of the last menstrual period up to, of course, the baby’s birth. The viability of the fetus is also measured by the weeks of the pregnancy. A woman even spends an average of 280 days pregnant!

Question 29

What do you call the loss of the baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy?

Now, this may sound very similar to the term miscarriage, but this type of pregnancy loss is different because it occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Moreover, this loss could take place before or even during delivery. It could even happen at 37 or more weeks of an otherwise normal pregnancy. And while miscarriage deals with chromosomal problems, this type of loss on the other hand deals with problems with the umbilical cord, the placenta, or defect of the baby.

Question 30

What process involves a “test tube baby?”

It might seem pretty out of this world, but test tube babies are not uncommon in our time anymore. Louise Brown was the first so-called “test tube baby,” but so many more children have already followed after her. In fact, she is living a healthy and happy life at age 39. During this process, the egg and the sperm are combined manually outside of the uterus and in a lab and then planted on the uterus afterwards. But what do we call the process that results in “test tube babies?”

Question 31

What do we call it when a woman carrys a baby for another couple?

You may have seen Phoebe Buffay of Friends do it for her brother Frank Jr. You may have heard celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris or Sarah Jessica Parker getting it done for them. But what exactly is it? This is a process that involves another woman agreeing to carry a couple’s child to term, but the egg and sperm come from the couple and are brought together in a lab. However, sometimes, the woman may use her own eggs, in which case the baby will be genetically related to the “intended father” and the woman who carries the child.

Question 32

What fertility treatment involves introducing sperm into the uterus?

For one reason or another, some people prefer to undergo a method where the doctors deliberately introduce sperm into the woman’s uterus by means other than sexual intercourse. This is a form of fertility treatment for couples who want a child, but cannot conceive on their own. For example, it may be useful for lesbian couples who want a child, or perhaps heterosexual couples wherein the male partner is suffering from some form of infertility. It is a bit expensive though, so do a little research before getting into it!

Question 33

At what age do babies typically learn to sit up on their own?

In terms of baby milestones, sitting up does not get nearly as much attention as crawling or walking. Maybe it’s because walking just sounds cooler, or maybe it’s because walking means that baby is on the move and mom and dad had better keep up! Whatever the reason, we think sitting up is pretty darn important. It opens up a whole huge, new world of chairs, sitting up to play with toys, sitting at tables, and eventually potty training. Sounds pretty important to us!

Question 34

How much screen time should toddlers have?

Technology has become ever-present in many of our lives. Between televisions, cell phones, tablets, computers, and laptops, the average family has more access to technology than ever before. This is, of course, a wonderful thing, but it does have its drawbacks. These drawbacks are why the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that toddlers receive no more than a certain amount of screen time. This has become a point of contention for busy parents who rely on electronics to entertain the little ones from time to time.

Question 35

What kind of condition involves subtle seizures of the infant?

When we hear the word seizure we often think of mighty convulsions and foaming at the mouth, but this kind of condition involves something more subtle, which is why it sometimes goes untreated. Usually occurring in infants less than a year old, children afflicted with this condition may experience, “little head drops” or a “slight bobbing of the head forward,” which can increase in frequency and become more powerful. It’s important for this to be treated early on because if not, the child may experience developmental problems.

Question 36

What pregnancy complication is characterized by high blood pressure?

Though high blood pressure really is a condition existing separate from pregnancy, there is also condition, which is related to pregnancy. This condition involves high blood pressure and potential organ damage. Usually, the damage involves organs like the kidney or the liver, and this condition can even become fatal for both mother and child. This type of condition begins after the 20th week of pregnancy when previous to that the mother’s blood pressure will have measured in the normal range.

Question 37

What do you call the celebration of the expected birth of the baby?

We humans really are a festive species. We love to celebrate all kinds of occasions such as Mother’s Day, birthdays, or the completion of high school or college. So of course why pass up the chance to celebrate the expected birth of a child!? Just hearing a bun is in the oven is in and of itself a cause for bringing out the party poppers! This celebration is usually held around a month or two before the baby is due, and celebrates the expectant mother.

Question 38

What other hormone, besides estrogen, do the ovaries secrete?

Our ovaries are an amazing part of our body. They are, in fact, a very important part of our reproductive system. Besides releasing the egg that may or may not get fertilized, it also produces two hormones which help to regulate menstruation. One of these hormones is the estrogen, which is the “primary female sex hormone.” It is not the only one, however! there is another hormone partnered with estrogen for the maintenance of the female reproductive system, do you know what it’s called?

Question 39

What is the lower part of the uterus called?

As mothers, expecting mothers, or just women in general, we should know the proper terms for the parts of our reproductive systems. After all, it does no good not to know, especially since the reproductive system plays a pretty big part in our lives whether we choose to become mothers or not. The uterus is the cavity in which the fertilized egg implants and where the baby grows, while the ovaries release the eggs in the first place. What do we call the lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina, wherein sperm also pass?

Question 40

What do we call the device that helps extract breast milk?

Oh boy, isn’t the age of technology extremely helpful? From handheld computers to automated cars, technology certainly helps improve our lives. In fact, even for really busy but conscientious moms, technology has an answer! There is now a device that helps lactating moms extract their breast milk. This is useful because the moms can store the milk for later feeding, which is useful for times when mom is exhausted or dad wants in on that feeding action, and it’s pretty efficient too! The device can be powered manually or with electricity.

Question 41

Which is not a diaper brand?

All mothers want the best for their babies, so it is a given that many moms research the brands of diapers they may want to use on their infants and toddlers. They check things like absorbency capabilities, comfort levels of the diapers, whether it will hold together with its adhesive. They want it to be soft but absorbent, comfortable but sturdy, and all the other special things technology has to offer. Which diaper brands have you spotted, and which one is not real?

Question 42

At approximately what age to many children begin potty training?

Another decidedly dirty part of parenthood (besides changing diapers) is potty training! It can be frustrating, tiring, and filthy, with sometimes laughably ill results. But every kid finally learning to poop on their own, sitting properly on a toilet, flushing, and cleaning themselves (ok, maybe that is stretching it a little), is a triumph for the parents. This aspect of parenting is bothersome and seemingly never ending, it is definitely a stage that all parents are thrilled to move passed.

Question 43

Who was the youngest mother ever documented?

We may have heard of older mothers or even those pregnant at sixteen, but did you know that the world’s youngest ever documented mother was less than 10 years old! She was born in Ticrapo, Peru, and apparently, lives in Lima. Yes, she survived the pregnancy and is very much alive at age 84! Sadly, her son died at the age of 40. She also did not reveal any specifics as to how the pregnancy came about. Numerous X-rays and biopsies were completed to confirm this extreme case.

Question 44

What areas of mom’s brain are actually affected by motherhood?

We know that mothers’ brains have an increase in grey matter up to four months after they have delivered the baby - so no, mothers aren’t actually crazy! Their changing levels of hormones are literally changing their brains! Specifically those areas of the brain that are associated with motivation and reward are actually changing. Areas like those associated with reasoning and judgment, and those of sensory perception were also observed to have changed. This explains why so many moms have eyes only for their new additions, gushing over them at every opportunity.

Question 45

Who was recorded as having the longest pregnancy ever?

You may may have heard of the shortest pregnancy ever recorded, or babies like Amillia Taylor or James Elgin Gill who were both born at only 21 weeks gestation. But did you know there is one woman who got pregnant and carried her baby for more than a year! Though the average woman is pregnant for around 280 days, this poor woman’s pregnancy lasted 375 days, giving her three extra months to carry the child. Whew, sounds like extraordinary circumstances indeed!

Question 46

What term is used for a girl’s “psychosexual competition with her mother for the affections of her father?”

Many of us probably hear this term in Psychology class long before becoming mothers, but it may seem especially relevant during motherhood as we witness our child growing up. This condition or theory, which was proposed by Carl Jung, is described as a part of the psychosexual development of girls. Sometimes called “penis envy,” the girl starts to resent the mother and becomes attached to the father. As she continues to develop she learns to repress the urge to engage in “hostile female competition” out of fear of losing the mother’s love for her.

Question 47

How old is the world’s first test tube baby?

You may remember hearing about Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby. She’s famous for being the first child born through in vitro fertilization, a procedure that brings the egg and sperm together in a lab before implanting the resulting embryo in a woman’s uterus. It’s a truly revolutionary procedure that allows many women struggling with infertility to give birth to healthy babies. Louise has gone on to live a perfectly normal life, raising two sons of her own, but how old is she?

Question 48

What type of pregnancy loss occurs shortly after implantation?

Another type of pregnancy, or rather, pregnancy loss is when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus but the mother miscarries shortly after implantation. According to Health Line, this accounts for about 50 to 75 percent of all miscarriages. So sometimes, when women get a positive on their pregnancy tests but later on get their periods anyway, this type of pregnancy is the one that happened. The ultrasounds will not be able to detect a fetus but the higher hcG levels will have been detected by the pregnancy test.

Question 49

What type of pregnancy happens when the tissue becomes an abnormal growth instead of a fetus?

Surely when researching pregnancy, many moms tend to look up the kinds of complications that may happen. One such complication is when the tissue that is supposed to become the fetus, and grow into a happy healthy baby instead, becomes an abnormal growth in the uterus. This may still trigger pregnancy symptoms. But what causes this in the first place? Well, it is thought to be caused by “a problem with the genetic information of an egg or sperm,” and things like age or medical history may increase the risk of this complication.

Question 50

What is the other term for miscarriage?

Miscarriage is a sensitive topic and surely a tragedy to many expecting mothers out there. It happens spontaneously and is often not due to the fault of the woman. Sometimes miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems out of the mother’s control. Though risk factors such as exposure to tobacco or alcohol, and previous history of miscarriage, may also contribute to it. Feelings of anxiety, guilt, and sadness usually come after the tragic pregnancy loss, so it is important for the woman to get love and support from family and their doctor! Do you know another term for miscarriage?

See Your Result
Questions Left
Current Score