Pregnancy, One Stage At A Time

No two women will experience pregnancy in exactly the same way, but there are three general stages which all women go through, each one bringing with it specific changes to mother and baby and a variety of possible reactions to go with them.

The first trimester can be the most difficult as your body begins to get used to its new role. Hormone levels change, the baby begins to develop, and a host of physical changes may manifest themselves including changes to the breasts, the onset of morning sickness, frequent urination, cravings, heartburn and indigestion and mood swings. Occasionally, varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids will develop and some women may experience excess saliva production. At this point in the pregnancy, the baby will begin to grow from a mass of cells into a recognizable form, complete with its own heartbeat and reflexes. The uterus will expand to about the size of a grapefruit in order to accommodate the baby’s growth and the mother’s cardiac output will increase by as much as 40-50 percent, resulting in an increased heart rate.

The second trimester often brings relief from some of the symptoms of early pregnancy. Morning sickness and frequent urination will usually abate, and expectant mothers may actually find themselves feeling better. As the uterus continues to expand, stretch marks may begin to develop on the overtaxed skin of the belly and you may develop back and leg pain. Changing hormones can sometimes result in irritation of the mucus membrane, leading to nosebleeds and sore gums. Women in the second stage of pregnancy are also likely to begin experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. By the end of the fifth month, your baby is growing hair all over its body, its senses are developing, and you should be able to feel it moving.

By the third trimester, everything is kicking into high gear in preparation for childbirth. You may notice increased hair growth on your arms, legs and face as well as your head, due to hormonal changes. As the baby grows, it will begin to radiate heat and you may notice a resulting increase in your body temperature. Frequent urination will return, along with swelling of the fingers, ankles, and face. The breasts will begin to produce an early form of milk called colostrum, which may occasionally leak from the nipples. As you have gotten noticeably larger, you may find yourself more fatigued and you might notice that your sex drive is lessened. Braxton Hicks contractions can increase in frequency and intensity as your body prepares for labor. Your baby should be nearing full development and movements will likely become even more pronounced.

It’s a long, gradual process but with the proper diet, good prenatal care and plenty of support from family and friends, you should be able to move through your pregnancy with relative ease right up to the big day.