The Three Trimesters

 First Trimester:

Pregnancy is a very exciting and novel experience for any woman. It can bring both anxiety and hope. Generally the period of pregnancy is divided into three broad phases known as the 1^st Trimester, 2^nd Trimester and 3^rd Trimester.

During the 1^st Trimester, normally a pregnant woman goes through certain transformations. Her body changes, but apparently these changes are not concerned with the physical out look of the woman. These changes are mostly happening from the inside. Even by week four it may be too early to notice any bodily changes, but you may start to feel unusually tired and have some tenderness of breasts. Morning sickness and nausea is very common during the first trimester. Your metabolic rate, breathing rate, and heart rate will also increases.

By week six your pregnancy will have been confirmed. So now you need to visit your doctor and do as he/she suggests you. By week nine you should be thinking about antenatal tests. There are several screening and diagnostic tests to detect foetal ???abnormalities, but consider the implications of a positive result. By week 12 the uterus is starting to move out of the pelvis, becoming an abdominal organ, and the heart is pumping extra blood. By the end of the 1^st Trimester, you baby is fully formed, although, at just 6 cm long, there is a lot of growing still to do. Its nails and hair are starting to grow, its jaw has 32 little teeth buds, and it is starting to suck. Internal sex organs have formed.????

The first three months of pregnancy are very crucial, as you are going through physical as well as emotional changes. Therefore this is the time to relax and ??take as much rest as possible. Get enough sleep and pay special attention to your diet. Do not force yourself to exercise at this stage of pregnancy.

Second Trimester:

During the second stage of pregnancy you will be feeling very confident. As now you are fully aware of your pregnancy. By now all the initial problems have lessened. You may glow with joy. Your appetite and energy have returned.

You will start to notice the development of a bump and look pregnant apparently. As the uterus starts to grow rapidly. By week 16 you may be aware of a quickening, the baby?s first tangible movements. These feelings will be obvious by week 20. A couple of weeks later you?ll be able to detect cycles of activity and sleep. Therefore you should have an ultrasound scan at about 19 weeks. Do take care of your back while getting up, bending, and lifting.

Common problems that tend to occur in the second Trimester are heartburn, anaemia, backache, symphsis pubic pain, sciatica, migraine, headaches, constipation, varicose veins, cystitis and depression. But you need not to be worried as these diseases are part of this stage of pregnancy. Therefore it is advised to eat healthy food, which comprises of vitamins and minerals. Your baby takes what it needs from you, so it is important to replenish your own stocks of vital nutrients. You need extra iron to prevent anaemia. Eat both iron-rich foods and sources of vitamin C, which assist iron absorption. You also need to eat plenty of fibre to prevent constipation. Eat several small meals a day to avoid heartburn.

By week 24 you will be gaining 225-450g (1/2-1 lb) a week in weight. This may increase further at week 27 as your baby puts on a growth spurt. The increased weight of the baby together with the softening affect of hormones on joints and ligaments will alter your sense of gravity. And you will also experience backaches and other such pains related to joints.

Third Trimester:

The last 12 weeks of pregnancy are of great importance. This is the period in which you are supposed to prepare yourself for the birth of your baby. During this stage the metabolic rate becomes more efficient in order to provide extra nutrients for the baby and to prepare your body for labour.

You need approximately about 200 extra calories a day and protein requirement will also increase. It is important to drink plenty of water to prevent low energy level and in efficient digestion.

Take rest whenever possible, because while you are resting your muscles around the uterus relax, thus increasing the blood and oxygen supply to your baby. In this period the blood volume increases by 40 percent, pelvic joints expand, breast tissues develop further and the baby grows faster than at any other stage. Therefore plenty of rest will help to alleviate some of the ailments that occur in the third trimester as well as prepare you for the birth.

You are expected to see your doctor every two weeks from 29 weeks and every week from 36 weeks. Keep record of your baby?s movements and if they seem to stop consult your doctor immediately.

The possible ailments during the third trimester are respiratory problems, raised blood pressure, backaches, leg cramps, disturbed sleep, oedema, skin problems, breach baby, carpel tunnel syndrome and anxiety.

You should begin antenatal classes at about week 32. In 57 percent? of pregnancies the baby will turn after week 32 so that it is head-down; a further 25 percent turn after week 36. At any time from then on the head will engage in the pelvis. Engagement is a preparation for labour but it does not mean that the birth is imminent. Some babies do not engage until after labour has begun. By week 37 weight gain will be slowing, although some women may suffer from water retention. By week 38 you will be feeling large and uncomfortable, and Braxton Hicks contractions may be strong and frequent. The baby is ready to be born. Its development has taken 38 weeks from the moment of conception. Forty weeks of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. The baby is plump and only just fits inside the uterus. The head will now descend into the lower part of the uterus and press through the softened, partially opened cervix, ready for the birth.