Pregnancy Stages: A Complete Guide for First-time Moms
28 November 2009 at 1:45 am by admin (artikel)
You have just heard the good news. You have conceived! You are ecstatic, but at the same time you have so many questions on your mind. I am sure you would like to know what to expect during these nine months. You would also want to understand the various pregnancy stages and how to handle them. So, read on. A gestation period is divided into three trimesters each spanning three months. Each trimester will bring about new changes in you and your baby.
First Trimester
The first trimester starts when you have conceived and start showing pregnancy symptoms like missed periods, tender or swollen breasts, nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, backaches and headaches, dizziness, heartburn, or constipation. In the first three months, your body will undergo various changes, like weight gain and increase in your basal temperature. These changes are due to increase in your hormone levels. By the end of your first trimester or the 12th week of your conceiving, all the vital organs of your baby – brain, spinal cord, heart, eyes, and limbs will have formed. During this stage, the baby also starts moving, although you won’t feel anything. The first trimester is the most crucial time to take extra care and protection as it is during this time that your baby is most vulnerable and chances of miscarriages are high. Have a healthy and nutritional diet and avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, and other medications. Expect your obstetrician to give you a few blood tests, and pelvic examination.
Second Trimester
As you enter your 13th month of being pregnant, discomforts from the first trimester like fatigue and nausea are eased out. Many women find the second trimester easier and enjoyable. Both you and your baby continue to grow in weight and size. Your weight will increase and you will start showing due to the baby’s growing size. Also, you will now start feeling your baby’s movements like kicking and turning from side to side. By the 24th week, your baby will be able to hear your voice, give some facial expressions, and go through a cycle of sleep and waking-up. Due to advancements in neonatal technology, now a baby born at the end of 24 weeks can survive.
Third Trimester
The third trimester starts from the 25th week to the time of the birth. During this time as your baby grows, you might start feeling uncomfortable due to the extra weight. Common problems related to this stage are backaches, swelling of feet and ankles, shortness of breath, pelvic aches, hip pains, and heavy vaginal discharge. Towards the 32nd to 40th week, you may also have Braxton Hicks contractions, which are painless contractions and do not lead to labor. These are the body’s way of warming up for the forthcoming labor. As you enter the 40th week, your baby will come down and settle in your pelvis, ready for delivery.
Pregnancy and motherhood are said to be life-altering events in a women’s life. With proper prenatal care, healthy diet, nutrition, love and affection, and exercise, all these pregnancy stages and birth can become the most enjoyable and satisfying event for a woman.
