What First Time Moms Need to Know
Most women happily look forward to enjoying the wonders of pregnancy and the profound gift of motherhood. However, many first time moms are often caught unaware of the significant changes that their bodies undergo during the different stages of pregnancy. Some would simply categorize pregnancy based on the different symptoms they experience all throughout the phases.
However, every responsible woman should know that there are actually three phases of the human pregnancy, which is divided into trimesters. Each trimester ushers in new changes and brings physical signs of the advancing condition.
The very first stage of pregnancy is known as the first trimester. This stage covers the first fourteen weeks. While there are some medical experts who argue that the first trimester should only refer to the first thirteen weeks, it is generally accepted and agreed upon that it extends up to the fourteenth week of pregnancy.
During this stage, most women will begin to notice the different changes in their bodies. Among the common physical changes during this stage include the following:
missed menstrual periods
nausea and vomiting, also known as “morning sickness”
On the first trimester, you learn about your impending motherhood and start to come to terms with your ardent hopes and fears for you and your baby’s future. It is in the first three months that the embryo develops from a cluster of cells and becomes a fetus. Below are the important milestones of your baby’s development during the first trimester:
embryo implants (attaches) to the wall of the uterus and develops rapidly
heartbeat begins on the 25th day
arm buds appear on the 26th day
leg buds appear on the 28th day
digestive system starts to develop
the fetus face starts to form
ears covered by thin membrane
spines starts to form
liver, brain, bloodstream, kidneys and digestive system are developing
arms and legs develop
facial features are present, the nose and outer ears form
nail beds are established
swallows amniotic fluid
movement, such as head turning or sucking, begins
all internal organs form
As you enter the second trimester, the pregnancy will start to show and the changes in the body become all the more apparent. During this phase, encouragement and support from the husband and family becomes significantly more important. For most women, nausea and fatigue starts to ease up. You can expect the following changes during the second trimester:
Breast will start to develop colostrum
Areola starts to get larger and darker
Blood pressure increases causing varicose veins and other discomforts on the lower extremities.
Changes in the skin, particularly on the face
strong heart beat begins
fine body hair starts to develops
heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope
finger and toe nails form
grows hair and eyebrows
baby responds to noise
movements become vigorous
a creamy substance covers the skin
skin is wrinkled and the fetus appears very thin
On the third trimester, the following physical discomforts may be experienced:
the need to urinate frequently
It is in this period that the most dramatic changes occur as the fetus grows and reaches full development. At this time, the fetus may weigh from 5 – 8 pounds and undergoes the following development:
fetus responds to light
body stores iron and builds skeleton
What to Expect on Different Stages of Pregnancy
Tags: hopes and fears, outer ears, physical signs