Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Three Trimesters of Pregnancy


The journey through pregnancy is divided into three distinct trimesters, each representing different joys and challenges. The first trimester spans weeks 1-12, and is the shortest of the three trimesters of pregnancy. A woman usually does not know she is pregnant until she is about four to six weeks pregnant, which is when a store bought pregnancy test is able to detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone in the urine. Before taking a test, there are signs and symptoms which can be attributed to pregnancy. These include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and the most obvious symptoms, a missed period.

The first trimester therefore goes by pretty quick. Once pregnancy is confirmed a blood test is normally scheduled to make sure the mother is in good health and prepared for the task ahead of nurturing the growing fetus into a healthy infant. Pre-natal vitamins are usually prescribed during the first trimester and they are important in the prevention of neural tube defects in the unborn child. For most women the first trimester goes by quickly but for others it seems like a long, and agonizing twelve weeks. Morning sickness affects some women more than others. For some the nausea and vomiting can become very severe and warrant medical intervention. This is why it is important to have your pregnancy followed closely by a certified healthcare provider.

The second trimester which spans weeks 13-27 is for most women, the most pleasant of the three trimesters of pregnancy. It is during this phase that a woman gets to know the sex of the baby she is carrying if she wishes to and it is also during this trimester that she begins to show physical signs of her pregnancy. For the fashionista mom, she can begin to integrate some stylish maternity wear to her wardrobe because her regular clothes will not fit much longer. It is also during the second trimester of pregnancy that you begin to feel your baby move around in your uterus. These precious moments are part of what make the second trimester of pregnancy a favorite among most moms.

The third trimester which spans weeks 28-40 is usually a difficult period for most women. The baby is bulking up and so are you, and getting around is proving more difficult by the day. Sleeping is also difficult as it is interrupted by frequent urination and it is often hard to find a comfortable position with your belly protruding. Some women also begin to get nervous as they read more and more about labor and delivery. As the day draws nearer, excitement mounts and before you know it you're a mom and you cannot begin to understand just how much you love your little one.

Pregnancy And Anaemia - Learn About The Causes And Find Out What You Can Do   



0 comments:

Post a Comment


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Français Deutsch Italiano Português
Español 日本語 한국의 中国简体。