Pregnancy Stages: You and Your Baby Development
By the time you are sure that you are pregnant, you wonder what actually happen to your body and your baby. We can say, you want to understand pregnancy stages especially if this is the first pregnancy. (Figure above taken from:http://stagesofpregnancyweekbyweek.org)
Different pregnancy stages come with joys and worries. It have their ups and down and everybody experiences different feeling while being pregnant. There are many exciting moment happen to both you and your growing baby during pregnancy stages. The different pregnancy stages hold exceptional experiences and developments. But no matter how different they are all as important.
Pregnancy is measured in trimesters from the first day of your last menstrual period and normally lasts about 40 weeks from conception to the birth of baby. Pregnancy stages are usually divided into three trimesters, of three months each.
First Trimester of Pregnancy Stages
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The first pregnancy stage, also referred to as the first trimester, is often a mixture of the best and worst feelings of pregnancy. This is one of pregnancy stages which is period of major development for your fetus and of profound physical and emotional changes for you. It often brings about the early signs of pregnancy.
The first twelve weeks of pregnancy is the most important pregnancy stage as this is when your baby will take on the human form and the brain, heart, nervous system, backbone and face will begin to develop. If you suspect that you are pregnant, it is very important that you take great care with prescription, avoid alcohol, chemicals, etc.
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- Cut down your intake caffeine and alcohol
- Stop smoking
- Taking prenatal vitamin with folic acid
- Get healthy diet and healthy exercise
- Wear loose fitting clothes
- During plenty of fluids during the day
How will you be affected
- You will miss your period
- You will experience early signs of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, vaginal discharge, fatigue, food cravings, and aversion, and so on
- You will begin to show at the end of this trimester
- During first month of pregnancy your placenta is forming and beginning to produce hormones that prepare your body for pregnancy
How your baby will develop
- Your baby has grown from about 1/4 to 1 inch long at first month to 6 inch long at third month and weigh about 1/4 by the end of third month
- Your baby will already be fully complete with tiny arms, legs, hand, feet, fingers, and toes at the last month of the first trimester
- Reflex movements allow your baby's elbow to bend, legs to kick, and fingers to form a fist. However, it's impossible to feel your baby's movement at this point
- Your baby's sexual organs will have developed by the end of the first trimester, however it will be almost impossible to detect on an ultrasound
Second Trimester of Pregnancy Stages
Among other pregnancy stages, this is often the most enjoyable time of pregnancy. Morning sickness usually decreases and your pregnancy is now beginning to show. You will feel your baby moves for the first time and see your baby's heart beating through an ultrasound.
During this pregnancy stage, your body will start to really change as you will continue to gain to about 3-4 pounds a month. You will also experience back pain, headache, and dizziness, but these are normal.
How will you and your baby be affected
Best things to do
- Learn breathing and relaxation exercises needed for labor
- Eat balanced diet
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, junk foods, caffeine drinks
- Take vitamins and iron supplements every day
- Drink plenty of fluids
How you will be affected
- Different from other pregnancy stages, your pregnancy system is slowing the rate at this stage (which caused constipation). This and the increasing of your uterus pushing on your stomach can cause heartburn and you may also experience bloating and indigestion. Try to eat smaller meals more often, rather than three larger meals a day
- Pigmentation will continue to increase during this pregnancy stage. You may notice linea negra begins to appear
- Your nipples will become darker in color and may begin to secrete colostrum
- You will begin to experience shortness of breath
How your baby will develop
- Your baby will be about 12 inch long and could weigh up to 2 pounds
- Their skin will be wrinkled and reddish with visible veins appearing through a translucent layer of skin
- The fetus has found a regular pattern of sucking, sleeping, turning, and kicking
- The baby's vital organ are developed well enough that he would be able to survive outside the uterus
- Hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes are developing
- The bone-forming cells increase their activity causing rapid development of the skeleton
Third Trimester of Pregnancy Stages
Your beautiful belly starts to grow much faster now and you will feel much more prepared for the arrival of your baby. Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. You will feel breathing difficult and need to go to the bathroom more often. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Your emotions may be tested in this trimester as you may feel nervous and wondering if you will be capable of raising child. You will also feel as though your baby is going to "fall out" and numbness in the pelvic region.
How will you and your baby be affected
Best things to do
- Get prenatal check up each week until baby arrives
- Continue exercise and practice for childbirth
- Pack what you need for labor
- Pack what to take to the hospital
- List people and phone numbers to call when labor begins
How you will be affected
- You will experience shortness of breath
- You will experience heartburn
- Swelling of ankles, fingers, and face
- Hemorrhoid
- Tender breast
- Trouble sleeping
- Contraction
How your baby will be developed
- During the end of third trimester, your baby will continue to grow and develop, although there should be significantly less weight gain
- Your baby will be able to blink, turn their head, and grasp using a tiny fist
- Your baby will increase sensitivity to outside stimulation, like light, sound, and touch
- Your baby will position herself to prepare for delivery
- Your baby will be 15-20 inch long and could weight from 6 to 8 pounds or more
Categories:
Early signs of pregnancy,
Pregnancy Stages,
Pregnany
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