First Trimester : A baby grows rapidly during the first trimester (weeks 1 to 12). The fetus begins developing their brain, spinal cord, and organs. The baby’s heart will also begin to beat.During the first trimester, the probability of a miscarriage is relatively high. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it’s estimated that about 1 in 10 pregnancies end in miscarriage, and that about 85 percent of these occur in the first trimester.
Second trimester:During the second trimester of pregnancy (weeks 13 to 27), your healthcare provider will likely perform an anatomy scan ultrasound.This test checks the fetus’s body for any developmental abnormalities. The test results can also reveal the sex of your baby, if you wish to find out before the baby is bornYou’ll probably begin to feel your baby move, kick, and punch inside of your uterus.After 23 weeks, a baby in utero is considered “viable.” This means that it could survive living outside of your womb. Babies born this early often have serious medical issues. Your baby has a much better chance of being born healthy the longer you are able to carry the pregnancy
Third trimester: During the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40), your weight
gain will accelerate, and you may feel more tired.Your baby can now sense
light as well as open and close their eyes. Their bones are also formed.As
labor approaches, you may feel pelvic discomfort, and your feet may swell.
Contractions that don’t lead to labor, known as Braxton-Hicks contractions,
may start to occur in the weeks before you deliver.
1)Missed period 9)Back pain
2)Headache 10)Anemia
3)Spotting 11)Depression
4)Weight gain 12)Insomania
5)Pregnancy-induced hypertension 13)Breast changes
6)Heartburn 14)Acne
7)Constipation 15)Vomiting
8)Cramps 16)Hip pain
17)Diarrhea
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common complications women experience during pregnancy. Bacteria can get inside a woman’s urethra, or urinary tract, and can move up into the bladder. The fetus puts added pressure on the bladder, which can cause the bacteria to be trapped, causing an infection Symptoms of a UTI usually include pain and burning or frequent urination. You may also experience:
1)Cloudy or blood-tinged urine
2)Pelvic pain
3)Lower back pain
4)Fever
5)Nausea and vomiting
Nearly 18 percent of pregnant women develop
a UTI. You can help prevent these infections
by emptying your bladder frequently, especially
before and after sex.Drink plenty of water to stay
hydrated. Avoid using douches and harsh soaps
in the genital area
Pregnancy prevention:
1)Intrauterine devices (IUDs): They’re currently the most effective form of birth control.
The downside is that they don’t prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
2)The pill and other hormonal birth control methods: Birth control pills, patches and the
vaginal ring work by controlling the hormone levels in a woman’s body. They’re available by
prescription.Actions that can reduce the effectiveness of these methods include forgetting to use
them as prescribed. Effectiveness rates that mention “typical use” account for these
types of human errors.
3)Condoms and other barrier methods: Condoms, diaphragms, and sponges are convenient
and inexpensive forms of birth control that can be bought without a prescription.
They’re most effective when used correctly every time you have sexual intercourse.
If you’re relying on these barrier methods to avoid getting pregnant, also consider
using an additional method of contraception such as spermicide or a birth control pill.
4)Emergency contraception:Several morning-after pills are available, both over the counter
and by prescription. These pills aren’t intended as regular forms of birth control. Instead,
they can act as a backup if you have unprotected sex or forget to use your regular form of
birth control.They must be used within 120 hours (five days) of sexual contact to be effective.
Some pills are most effective when taken within 72 hours (three days).
Pregnancy or PMS:
The symptoms of early pregnancy can often mimic those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
It may be difficult for a woman to know if she’s pregnant or simply experiencing the
onset of another menstrual period.
Some common symptoms of both PMS and early pregnancy include:
1)Breast pain
2)Bleeding
3)Mood changes
4)Fatigue
5)Food sensitivities
6)Cramping
Pregnancy diet:
A healthy pregnancy diet should be much the same as your typical healthy diet,
only with 340 to 450 additional calories per day. Aim for a healthy mix of foods,
including:
1)Complex carbohydrates
2)Protein
3)Vegetables and fruits
4)Grains and legumes
5)Healthy fats
Vitamins and minerals: Pregnant women require larger amounts of some vitamins and minerals than women who aren’t pregnant.
Folic acid and zinc are just two examples.
Pregnancy and exercise: Exercise is essential to keeping you fit, relaxed, and ready for labor. Yoga stretches in particular
will help you stay limber. It’s important not to overdo your stretches, however, as you could risk injury.Other good exercises
for pregnancy are gentle Pilates, walking, and swimming.
Pregnancy and labor:Sometime after your fourth month of pregnancy, you may begin to experience Braxton-Hicks contractions,
or false labor. They’re completely normal and serve to prepare your uterus for the job ahead of real labor.
Early labor:Labor contractions are generally classified as early labor contractions and active labor contractions.
Early labor contractions last between 30 and 45 seconds. They may be far apart at first, but by the end of early labor,
contractions will be about five minutes apart.
Your water might break early during labor, or your doctor may break it for you later on during your labor. When the
cervix begins to open, you’ll see a blood-tinged discharge coating your mucous plug.
Active labor:In active labor, the cervix dilates, and the contractions get closer together and become more intense.
If you’re in active labor, you should call your healthcare provider and head to your birth setting. If you’re unsure
whether it’s active labor, it’s still a good idea to call and check in.
Labor pain: Pain will be at its height during active labor. Have a discussion with your doctor about your preferred
method of dealing with pain.You may choose drug-free measures such as meditation, yoga, or listening to music.
Analgesics, such as meperidine (Demerol), dull the pain but allow you to retain some feeling. Anesthetics, such
as an epidural, prevent certain muscle movement and completely block the pain.
Prenatal and postpartum depression:
All psychiatric drugs cross the placenta and reach the developing fetus. Thus, during
pregnancy, women need to understand how a given drug may affect the developing fetus.
But any possible risks of taking a medication need to be weighed against the risks of
not taking it. In some cases, untreated depression carries more risk than the drugs used
to treat this mood disorder.The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the
American Psychiatric Association recommend that clinicians offer psychotherapy and close
monitoring rather than medication for treatment of mild or moderate depression during
pregnancy. SSRIs can be used during the first trimester without significantly increasing
the risk of fetal heart defects or other major congenital malformations. Use later in
pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn. About 10% to 15% of new mothers
experience postpartum depression (within three to six months after delivery).
Sleep deprivation, the dramatic changes and stresses that accompany motherhood,
and shifts in hormones may all contribute. Treatment can improve the quality of
life for both the mother and her child.
She
Care