The first trimester of pregnancy

Pregnancy is broken down into three trimesters. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the little one transforms from a blastocyst that is just a cluster of cells into a fetus that resembles a tiny human being. As the baby grows, the placenta develops in order to filter nourishment and oxygen to the baby. Meanwhile, ducts and glands in a woman’s breasts are developing in order to provide nourishment for the baby once he or she is born. During this time, women can expect to feel breast tenderness, and for some women, the breasts can become very sore. Quite often, women also will experience what is known as morning sickness. That term, however, is a misnomer, as morning sickness can strike at any time of day. Pregnancy nausea, or morning sickness, is common for many women but there are those who never experience it. At this stage, cramping during pregnancy is common as the ligaments and muscles are stretched to accommodate the growing uterus. Although cramping can be normal, if it is severe or accompanied by bleeding, a woman needs to seek medical attention immediately.
 

The second trimester of pregnancy

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the baby’s organs are developing and maturing. At this point, the baby is covered in a filmy white substance called the vernix caseosa, which will protect the baby from the amniotic fluid that fills the womb. This trimester is the one where a woman usually begins to feel better, morning sickness often decreases, and women frequently get a burst of energy and strength. The pregnancy also starts to show during the second trimester, and it may begin to feel more real. Toward the end of the second trimester, the woman may even begin to feel the baby’s movements. During the second trimester exercise during pregnancy is a good idea in order to help control weight gain during pregnancy, and keep the body healthy and active. However, one should exercise with care and realize that as the center of gravity changes, a woman may feel more awkward and clumsy, and be inclined to trip or fall. The second trimester is the perfect time to start thinking about names for the little one, and to start planning and preparing the nursery.
 

The third trimester of pregnancy

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby is really growing and filling out, and their skin starts to turn from red to pink. Due to the size of the baby, at this point, many women start to feel extremely fatigued, and experienced backaches, pressure on the bladder, and indigestion and may experience false contractions, in preparation for labor.
 

Weight gain during pregnancy

Throughout the entire 40 weeks of pregnancy, a healthy woman of average weight is expected to gain around 25 to 35 pounds. Underweight women should gain between 28 to 40 pounds, while overweight women should try to only gain 15 to 25 pounds. A woman should gain between 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months of pregnancy, and on average, a pound a week throughout the rest of the pregnancy.
 

Visit your physician when discover the pregnancy

For the best information on what to expect during pregnancy, a woman needs to make an appointment to see her physician as soon as she knows that she is expecting. Being under a doctor’s care from the beginning, and throughout the pregnancy, is extremely important. Usually a woman visits the doctor monthly up until the 28th week of pregnancy, at which point, the doctor’s appointments are more frequent. Regular checkups can help to ensure that the pregnancy progresses normally and results in the birth of a beautiful, healthy baby nine months later.

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First trimester symptoms

The first trimester pregnancy symptoms include food cravings, disgust at certain foods, enlarged breasts and very sensitive areola, as well as anxiety about the pregnancy, and of course the dreaded morning sickness.  Other symptoms may include upset stomach, feeling tired all the time, and aches and pains throughout your body.  Typically, these symptoms are reduced during the second pregnancy and thereafter.
 

First month of pregnancy

In the first month of pregnancy, usually 1-4 weeks, pregnancy symptoms may have fully blossomed, or you may be feeling nothing at all.  Your physical appearance is probably not giving away your pregnancy yet, either.  This first month is also when you have your first prenatal appointment. This is the first trimester of pregnancy, and maybe the most important, so your physician will be very thorough.  Some of the checkpoints to cover in this visit:

• What are your pregnancy symptoms?
• When you had your last menstrual period, from this will be calculated your estimated delivery date.
• Examining of your cervix and uterus.
• A urine and blood pregnancy test will usually be done.
• A complete history including your medical history, any supplements or medications you take or have since becoming pregnant; your gynecological history, and even questions about your daily habits.
• A full physical examination to assess your overall health.

Some common tests during the first of the pregnancy trimesters are a blood test, urinalysis, tests to check for STD’s and hepatitis B, genetic tests, and tests to check for diabetes. 
 

First trimester health tips

If this is your first time being pregnant, you probably have heard volumes worth of advice on what to expect during pregnancy.  Here are some steadfast truths about all pregnancies to remember:

• Stay in Good Health:  Whether or not you have been pregnant before, all pregnancies will affect you differently.  Staying in good physical condition (as much as you can,) will help your pregnancy go a little smoother.
• A Good Pregnancy Diet:  Increase the chances of having a healthy baby, and reduce the possibility of certain defects.  Diets rich in nutrients from fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins should be the priority.  Remember that you are feeding someone else too, so avoid starving yourself, and think about the nutritional value of every bite you eat.
• Weight:  Putting on the pounds at a steady pace, and staying within 25-35 lbs., has a less drastic effect on your body.  During pregnancy, hemorrhoids and stretch marks, as well as other maladies, can be minimized with a steady weight gain.
• Exercise:  Do not stop exercising because you are pregnant, especially if this is not the first pregnancy.  There are many guides available with safe exercises for your pregnancy first trimester, so set your mind at ease and start, or continue, exercising.
• Slow Down:  This is not the time to take on additional stress in your life if you can avoid it.  For one thing, it is important to get as much rest as possible during your pregnancy, and for another it can lead to or exacerbate morning sickness. Other pregnancy symptoms listed below can be aggravated by a fast-paced lifestyle as well.  Look into hiring a house cleaner, babysitter, taking breaks from stressful activities, and taking on less responsibility at work.

Some women need time settling in with being pregnant. If you are not used to being sick or feeling body pain, than the whole experience might be a little unfamiliar. Try to enjoy the first trimester of pregnancy, and stay healthy for your baby.
 

Photo courtesy of pascal79 ©

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Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Your Body

You are definitely going to notice a lot of change in your body during your second trimester of pregnancy.  Your breasts will swell and at the same time, they will not be as tender and sensitive as they were during your first trimester of pregnancy.  It is going to be important for you to find a good, supportive and comfortable bra.  Your stomach is going to be growing as well and we do not want too much added stress on your back. 

Your stomach is going to be the next place that you are going to notice the difference.  Many women really do not pop until around the 20th week of pregnancy.  If this is your second or even third pregnancy, you might find that you pop a little bit faster.  Many women find that it is just more comfortable to start wearing maternity pants rather than going out and buying larger sizes. 

You might also begin to notice that your hair is thicker and shinier.  When you are pregnant and taking prenatal vitamins you will notice that when you shower and when you blow dry your hair you are not losing any strands.  It is normal for hair not to fall out when you are pregnant.  The follicles do not release hair typically during pregnancy.
 

Doctor Appointments

When you are approximately 18 weeks pregnant, you will be given a prescription for a level two sonogram.   This will check the baby’s gestational age and check on the baby’s health.  They will measure the baby’s arms and legs and check the baby’s heart and neck.  You can also find out the sex of your baby if your baby decides to cooperate.  Sometimes the baby will not open its legs or is backwards and will not flip.  If this happens you might have to go back to finish the sonogram.  Do not get concerned if this happens, it is very common.

The best part of your second trimester of pregnancy is that you will begin to feel so much better.  The nausea will end and you will find that you will be able to eat more a variety of things.  If you were suffering from heartburn or a sensitive stomach, it should all subside.  The second of the pregnancy trimesters is when most women feel their healthiest.  If you have questions and want to know what to expect during pregnancy do not hesitate to ask your doctor or some friends that have recently had a child.

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Third trimester symptoms

The third trimester of pregnancy can be an exciting time for a new mother, but it is also the time in which many apparent pregnancy symptoms occur. These symptoms are more commonly found within the third trimester of pregnancy than any of the other trimesters of pregnancy. Mothers can find themselves experiencing severe cramps, back aches, and also heart burn. These symptoms are normal throughout the third trimester in pregnancy, but may cause moderate to severe discomfort. Another reason why the 3rd trimester is commonly seen as the most difficult of the three to endure is because of the idea of third trimester fatigue. Before I dive further into this idea of fatigue during the latest stage of pregnancy, I would like first to give you a quick illustration of a typical third trimester pregnancy.
 

Fatique and short of breath

The third trimester of pregnancy begins at week 28 and continues until the precious baby is born. During this time, women begin to feel increasingly more uncomfortable as their due date approaches. It is not uncommon for the mother to become short of breath after walking merely a short distance, or for that matter, doing the most simple of tasks.
 

Swelling of ankles

Another commonality throughout this trimester is the swelling of ankles amongst pregnant women. Sometimes the swelling becomes so severe that the mother has to prop her legs up in order to counter the ill effects.
 

Reasons for third trimester symptoms

One might wonder why these problems occur so often during the 3rd trimester. The fatigue is primarily caused by the incredible amount of weight that the woman gains throughout the pregnancy. This coupled with the idea that pregnant women often tend to suffer from sleep disruption, create a synergy of fatigue and discomfort. Extraordinarily bad cases of third semester fatigue could even signal that the mother is suffering from anemia, or abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells.
 

Eat healthy and get a lot of rest

These conditions throughout the third trimester of pregnancy can sometimes make pregnancy nearly unbearable. As a mother, it is extremely important to eat healthy and get as much rest as possible. This will help combat the side effects of pregnancy. Eating healthy snacks will also help as they tend to boost your energy levels. Another good thing to do would be to make sure you include enough iron in your diet to make sure that you do not begin to suffer from anemia. Very mild exercise will help you get through the 3rd trimester because it will help fight fatigue as well as raise your spirits. However, be very careful not to over-exert yourself during this crucial time in pregnancy because it could endanger you and your baby.

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Most complications out of your control

A lot of pregnancy complications are out of our control and the best we could do is to be extra-careful with everything that we do. Always keep in mind that you are no longer just taking care of your own body but that of your baby’s as well. And so it is very important that you try to be selective of what you are taking into your body. Are you an active smoker? If so better stop as soon as you know that you’re pregnant. In the first place, smoking was never good for your health anyway. It is important to be completely honest with your doctor about your lifestyle, like revealing your smoking and drinking habits that could affect your baby’s health.
 

Measures to secure pregnancy health

The doctor could find extra measures so as to stop you with your habits, before they could harm your baby. It is also up to you to take the extra steps in protecting your baby. Even though it was said that alchohol could be consumed in small quantities during pregnancy some years ago, it is now commonly adviced not to touch any amount during any of the pregnancy trimesters. If for example you have a problem with drinking the doctor might subscribe you antabuse, if the benifits outweigh the possible harm to the fetus.
 

Premature birth

Although there are no specific causes that lead to premature birth, it is still one of the most common pregnancy complications. Some blame it on poor health habits while some say it is due to infection. And so in the initial stages of pregnancy always make sure to get the proper nourishment and exercise to make sure that your body is in great shape to avoid such infections.
 

Preeclampsia

Another common pregnancy complication is Preeclampsia which is related to your blood pressure. There are some women who are more prone to this while some develop this during pregnancy. It is very important to keep track of your blood pressure all the time and to let your doctor know of any family history regarding your health that could affect your current condition.
 

Other complications and conditions

Aside from these common pregnancy complications there are still other threatening conditions that may prevail. Some are due to cervix problems wherein the baby could be premature because the placenta do not develop properly and may therefore be unhealthy for the baby.

Sometimes there are leaks that expecting moms tend to overlook and yet had they been detected early they would have prevented some serious pregnancy complications. And so, during this delicate stage of your life, it is important to take extra precautions to avoid the mentioned  pregnancy complications. Even with minor changes or things that seem unusual for you, always check with your doctor. Keep yourself updated with the latest information for pregnant women and always have a regular check-up with your trusted doctor.

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