Pregnancy - babyplanet.co.uk

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be divided into three specific periods - these are known as trimesters which each last for approximately three months. These trimesters will show specific changes in both the mother to be's body and in the growth and development of her baby. Let's take a look at each trimester in detail.

The First Trimester

During this period it is recommended that pregnant women take folic acid as advised to help the healthy development of their baby. These first few months may see some disconcerting changes for the mother to be. She may, for example:

Suffer from morning sickness
Feel very tired, very easily
Experience changes to the way her breasts look and feel
Need to urinate more frequently

During this period the baby will start to develop and will, for example, start a rhythmic heartbeat and begin the development of its body and organs.

The Second Trimester

During the Second Trimester many women find that they feel a lot better. If they have had morning sickness, for example, then this will often go by this point and they may get their energy back or even feel even more energetic than usual! But, there may be some changes to the body here including:

Increase in heartburn and/or indigestion
The appearance of the linea negra dark line that runs down the abdomen
An increase in size where the bump starts to show
The beginning of movement of the baby that can be felt by the mother
Back pain due to weight increase

During this period the baby will continue to grow and will reach major milestones such as growing hair, nails, eye brows and eyelashes and it will move around more actively.

The Third Trimester

The Third Trimester lasts until the actual birth. By this stage many women will start to slow down but may also get the nest building urge where they want to get ready for their baby arriving. Physical changes here can include:

A general feeling of heaviness and discomfort
Shortness of breath
Problems with insomnia
Instances when urine leaks from the bladder
The development of varicose veins
General itchiness of the skin
The development of stretch marks

During this period the baby will start some serious brain and nervous system development and it will begin to breathe in a rhythm.