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Becoming a mother is probably the greatest joy and experience a woman can have in her life. It is an exciting time, but it is also a trying time, because there are so many physical changes going on inside and outside of her body. The nine months of pregnancy are divided into three different trimesters, consisting of about 3 months each. If you have a 28 day cycle, the expected due date is calculated by counting back three months from the date of the first day of your last period and adding a year and a week. Most babies arrive within two weeks of their due date. Also, today, with the technology of the ultrasound, it is easy for doctors to measure the head and femur of the fetus (infant inside the womb), and calulate the due date, or the time around which the baby will be born.
During the first trimester you will notice subtle changes, especially, if this is your first pregnancy. Every woman is different and has different levels of symptoms of pregnancy and labor, but generally, they are similar and reliable. As the pregnancy progresses you will eventually come to view the baby as a seperate individual, but before there are any physical signs of life inside of you, it is sometimes difficult for a woman to comprehend or feel or even believe that she is pregnant or that there is another life, another human being living and growing on the inside of her.
In the first trimester you may notice that you become very tired, fatigued and even sleepy often. This is very common. Give yourself some slack, knowing that you need and deserve the extra rest. Having a supportive partner or caregiver is very important and will make these next nine months of changes easier. One thing that some women who work outside the home have had a problem with is getting extremely sleepy in afternoons, often, after lunch. If possible a 10 minute or so cat nap would help this situation. It is believed to have to do with the growng placenta during the first trimester. Another common and irritating symptom in first trimester, but often lasts throughout pregnancy is increase in frequency of urination. Especially at night, you may notice you have to get up often to urinate. This interferes with sleep and may interfere with your partner's sleep, so take it in stride. If this is your first pregnancy, you may also find that your nipples and areolai (the brownish area surrounding the nipple) become darker, and little bumps may appear on them. This is also normal and of no concern. The breasts have to get ready for nourishing the baby, and this is a response to increased hormone levels. The skin on the face may also darken, sometimes called the mask of pregnancy, which is more common in brunettes and fades after delivery. Morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting, is quite common. There are so many different severities and every woman is different. Some women say they never once felt queasy, while others may end up in the hospital with dehydration from such severe nausea and vomiting. Then, there is every level in between. If you experience nausea and/or vomiting, try eating smaller, frequent meals, instead of three larger ones, so as not to overload or completely empty the stomach. Nibbling on crackers in the morning before rising is said to sometimes, cut morning nausea. Your doctor can prescribe safe anti-emetics (medication for nausea and vomiting) if necessary. Constipation is a frequent problem, even throughout pregnancy due to hormonal and body structure changes. High fiber diets of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and large amounts of fluids, especially water are the best combat. Use of strong or recurrent laxatives should be avoided because they can be addictive. At three months the uterus is palpable just above the pubic bone.
First trimester fetal growth:
There are many things happening to the new life inside of you. In the first week, cells are dividing, but DNA and everything about your baby is there inside of the embryo, which is alive.
At the second week the trophoblast, as it is technically called, embeds itself into the womb lining so it can attach via the placenta and have a safe, nourishing place to grow and develop. Vaginal spotting may occur at this time and is normal. Let you doctor know if you have any bleeding during pregnancy.
In the third week, the brain, spinal cord and entire nervous system are established. The eyes, heart and lungs are beginning to form.
In the fourth week, the heart has begun beating, the head and brain are larger than the rest of the body, the facial features are beginning to form, as well as the gastrointestinal tract.
In the sixth week of pregnancy, movement occurs, the ovaries or testes are established. A skeleton is now present.
At seven weeks, the embryo weighs about a half an ounce. The tail-like extension is now the spinal cord and fingers and toes are forming.
From the eigth week until birth the unborn child is referred to by the medical profession as a fetus, although it is very much a baby. All features are well forms and teeth develop in the gums. At the end of the first trimester, the baby is about three inches long and weighs about an ounce.
At the fourth month or beginning of the second trimester, the uterus will be felt up to between the navel and the pubic bone. Women develop at different stages. For some women, you cannot even tell they are pregnant at 6 or 8 months others you can tell at 2 or 3 months. With multiple births, mothers' stomachs get bigger much faster to allow for more room. Just remember, guys, especially, she is not getting fat, your baby is growing and that's good news!
You will probably need to start wearing maternity clothes now or soon. Wear loose fitting, not binding clothing. Comfort is the key. You and your partner will be thrilled to hear your baby's heartbeat, which, on a doppler, will sound much like a fast rhythmical swishing sound. You will also start to feel small "butterflies in your stomach" like movements, when you first feel your baby's movements. You may start to suffer with rectal pain, hemorrhoids and varicose veins, though not all women do. Avoiding constipation will help eliminate the chance of hemorrhoids. Creams are available over the counter, but check with your doctor for everything. Varicose veins are often hereditary, so you will know if you'll develop them. Treatment consists of wearing support hose and frequent rest periods with legs elevated above the heart. Your uterus will be at least up to your navel now. When the baby moves, soon your whole stomach will seem to move and it may soon be evident to others. Encourage your partner to talk to the baby, and to feel the baby's movements, this will include him in the growth of the baby and make him feel closer. This is also helpful with siblings.
Fetal growth in the second trimester includes:
In the fourth month he/she is about six inches long, gaining weight and growing. They react to touch.
In the fifth and sixth month, the fetus is approximately ten inches, weighs about a pound, and has hair. The baby is a baby, but cannot yet survive outside his mother's womb. The inside lining of the lungs are the last thing to develop completely.
The third trimester is the last trimester and final three months of pregnancy. A woman starts to worry about labor and pain in delivery. Because the baby is growing rapidly, so is mother's belly, and the woman may feel very large and unattractive. She must understand that a pregnant woman is beautiful. She may begin to feel uncomfortable as the growing baby takes up more and more space inside of her body, pushing her organs around. Swelling is common in late pregnancy. Learn about signs of approaching labor and delivery by reading and perhaps childbirth or lamaze classes. The baby, who is probably in the head down position, will start to drop into the pelvis. When this happens, you will know it, because you will be able to breath easier, but the pressure on the bladder will return. The baby will no longer be right under your breasts, now you may be able to fit your entire hand on your upper stomach between your breasts and your uterus. It will feel like the baby is between your legs. In the last couple of months of pregnancy, you may have Braxton Hicks contractions which are fake or practice contractions that feel like painless gradual tightening then releasing of the uterine muscle. This is just the body getting ready for approaching labor.
Third trimester fetal growth includes:
In the seventh month there is tremendous growth and development of the brain. The fetus is practicing breathing by swallowing amniotic fluid, the fluid that he lives in. There is meconium in the bowels which will be the baby's first bowel movement. If born now, the baby would be able to survive outside the mother's womb.
At eight and nine months, the baby gains weight very quickly. Everything is done, he just has to get a little bigger.
Most babies are born within a week or so of their due dates. Some babies, especially of smoking mothers, are born premature. Some babies are post-term, which means they go beyond their due date. Most doctors do not let a woman go beyond two weeks of their due date and will induce labor to avoid problems with the mother or baby.
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