Leading workers in the field of human reproduction provideboth basic knowledge and useful practical information inthis book about the most critical phase in the developmentof a new human being: the first twelve weeks of life. Theperiod from fertilization and implantation to the end of thefirst trimester is still insufficiently understood and marksa new frontier. The knowledge necessary for applying ourpresent diagnostic capabilities and for venturing into theproblematic areas of fertilization technology and embryonictreatment is made easily available in this comprehensivetextbook.The book is divided into two parts. The first presents basicinformation about physiology, anatomy, in vivoinvestigations, biochemistry and legal aspects. The secondpart focuses on pregnancy development, monitoring and theclinical diagnosis and management of disorders in the earlystages of life.A full section is devoted to assisted conception and thenewest possibilities in fertilizationtechnologies, wherebythe ethical aspects are also discussed.