Pregnancy: Symptoms, Trimesters, Information

Author: Disabled World - Contact Details
Updated/Revised Date: 2022/04/12
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Synopsis: Information on pregnancy and being pregnant including symptoms, trimesters, conception, and due date calculators. In human reproduction, pregnancy (or gestation) is the development of one or more offspring, known as an embryo or fetus, in the uterus of a woman. A multiple pregnancy involves more than one embryo or fetus in a single pregnancy, such as with twins. Childbirth usually occurs about 38 weeks after conception. Motherhood is one of life's greatest responsibilities and joys. By doing everything you can to prepare for parenthood now, before your baby is born, the transition to parenthood can be a lot easier.

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In human reproduction, pregnancy (or gestation) is the development of one or more offspring, known as an embryo or fetus, in the uterus of a woman. A multiple pregnancy involves more than one embryo or fetus in a single pregnancy, such as with twins. Childbirth usually occurs about 38 weeks after conception.

Healthy pregnancies start before a mother becomes pregnant, even before they consider motherhood.

Women may benefit from basic pre-pregnancy planning and regular visits with their health care provider. Prenatal care visits are important to both the baby and the mother. There are some things that a mother might do when they are pregnant that could harm their baby, to include drinking or smoking. Certain medications may also be a problem, including ones that a doctor has prescribed. It is essential to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids. Early in the pregnancy, a mother might experience nausea or morning sickness, or need more rest.

Photo of a happy couple walking on a small wooden bridge. The woman is wearing a black and white striped dress and is clearly pregnant.
Photo of a happy couple walking on a small wooden bridge. The woman is wearing a black and white striped dress and is clearly pregnant.

Trimesters

The average pregnancy lasts approximately forty weeks, grouped into three trimesters.

1st Trimester

During the first trimester, a mother's body experiences several changes. A mother's hormones change and affect nearly every organ system in their body. The changes may initiate symptoms, even in the first weeks of the pregnancy.

First Trimester (Week 1 to Week 12):

2nd Trimester

The majority of women feel the second trimester of pregnancy is easier than the first one. It is important to remain informed about pregnancy during this trimester. A mother may notice symptoms such as fatigue and nausea are not disappearing and new, more noticeable changes to their body are occurring. A mother's abdomen will expand as their baby grows; before the second trimester is over, they will feel their baby starting to move.

Second Trimester (Week 13 to Week 28):

3rd Trimester

The third trimester may bring some of the same discomforts a mother experienced during the second trimester.

In addition, many women can find it more difficult to breathe and notice they have to use the bathroom more often because their baby is getting bigger and placing more pressure on their organs. Not to worry, the baby is fine, and these issues will lessen after the baby is born.

Third Trimester (Week 29 to Week 40):

Signs and Symptoms of pregnancy Include:

Things you can do include pursing education related to:

As the due date approaches, look for any sign that labor is about to begin, no matter how small. Mothers may notice their baby has dropped, or moved into the lower part of their pelvis. A pelvic exam during a prenatal visit to a doctor can reveal changes to a mother's cervix they might not feel, yet suggest their body is getting ready.

Once the baby is born, spend the first hours of the baby's life letting your baby know your voice and study your face. The baby can see up to about two feet away. Babies are born with sucking and grasping reflexes; put your finger in the baby's palm. Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger.

Halving Risk of Pre-term Birth for Some Twin Pregnancies

A study, involving researchers from the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute, reviewed all the previous large studies conducted into the use of progestogen hormones, which have been trialed over the past 10 years to help prevent preterm birth in twins. The results, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, show that an important discovery had been missed in each of those previous studies.

Until now, the research has demonstrated that there has been no benefit from the use of progestogen hormones in preventing preterm birth for women with a twin pregnancy. Thanks to this international review, we can now see that there is a very specific benefit to one group of high-risk pregnancies: women who have a short cervix, who are pregnant with twins.

Twin pregnancies are very much at risk of preterm birth, with half of these pregnancies delivering before 37 weeks gestation. For women with a short cervix who are also pregnant with twins, this is what I would call a super high-risk category for adverse outcomes, either for infant death or for serious health problems after birth. We found that by using progestogen hormones, there was a 50% reduction in risk of preterm birth for this group of pregnancies.

Pregnancy Facts and Statistics

Motherhood is one of life's greatest responsibilities and joys. By doing everything you can to prepare for parenthood now, before your baby is born, the transition to parenthood can be a lot easier.

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Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2022, April 12). Pregnancy: Symptoms, Trimesters, Information. Disabled World. Retrieved November 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/health/female/pregnancy/

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