Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time for a woman who has been looking forward to being a mother. It typically lasts around 9 months or 40 weeks, but you may give birth before 9 months or even after. It is divided into 3 parts, called trimesters, in which different changes occur. You will experience a lot of changes as your pregnancy advances which is a normal part of pregnancy and shouldn’t be the cause of worry. Your body will start to change and it might require you to change your day-to-day activities such as eating more and sleeping earlier.

The first trimester lasts from the 1st to the 12th week of your pregnancy. During this stage, your period will stop and your body will go through different physical and hormonal changes. Some women experience morning sickness (upset stomach), and certain food cravings while others have difficulty even smelling certain types of food. Other changes include sore breasts and frequent urination. 

The second trimester occurs in the 13th up to the 28th week and during the 20th week, you can feel your baby’s movement which can be a source of joy for most pregnant women. Many women experience less discomfort when compared to the first trimester, for most women morning sickness will decrease during this period and most women have been noted to enjoy their pregnancy during this time. Most pregnant women will also notice obvious stomach and breast growth. Your body will start to ache, your stomach becomes itchy, your ankles, fingers, & face will start to swell, and more. 

The third trimester is the 29th until the 40th week of pregnancy and is when the baby’s bones are soft but almost fully developed. During this trimester for most women, the increased urination they experienced during the first trimester will come back. Additional changes in this stage include trouble breathing, heartburn, sticking out belly button and trouble sleeping, another thing to bear in mind, during this trimester is what’s called false labor or braxton hicks contractions, these contractions might feel like actual labor but they aren’t, so no need to panic.

Not all pregnancies will go over smoothly or with little discomfort. Some women experience unusual pain or discomfort that could threaten their and their baby’s life. Sometimes pregnancies can be abnormal that are caused by issues with the tissues needed for the fetus. This is why you must have regular doctor visits to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby during the entire pregnancy. You should be careful not to overwork yourself and be healthy by exercising like walking every day and eating a balanced diet. If you experience vaginal bleeding, intense cramps, pain while peeing, severe headaches, and more, you need to go to your doctor for a check-up immediately.