Pregnancy is a period when females require utmost care and attention as she is preparing a whole new human in her body. Scientifically speaking, it is a period when fetus(baby) develops into a woman's uterus during the period of 40 weeks that is whole 9 months and last menstrual period marks the onset of the pregnancy only if fertilization happened due to copulation. Initially the term embryo is used for the developing offspring during first seven weeks after implantation,after which the term fetus is used for the developing offspring.
STAGES OF PREGNANCY
●First Trimester (Week 1-12):
-It is the period which marks the onset of pregnancy that is first 12 to 13 weeks of pregnancy till the second trimester.
-It is the period when the fetus develops rapidly with significant changes in the mother's physique and emotions.
-The fetus's organs and body structures develops which includes heart,circulatory system,lungs,intestines,bones and nervous system.
-The mother experience is different physical and emotional changes like nausea,vomiting,fatigue,breast tenderness and low rates of interests in daily activities.
-The medical and maternity care including screen tests and risk reduction strategies are very important for the mother during this time.
●Second Trimester (Week 13-26):
-It is the period after the first tirmester that is from 13 to 28 weeks and is also known as the honeymoon period as the many unpleasant symptoms happening during the first trimester subside.
-By now,the organs and systems if the baby are fully developed and now they grow in length and weight with their bones getting hard,formation of toenails and thickening of skin.
-It is the period when mother's belly and breasts grow to support the baby's growth and one experiences stretch marks with abdominal pains,leg cramps,constipation,heartburn, dizziness etc.
-During this period,hair growth is also at its peak level and sometimes brown patches (melasma) on the face appears.
-It is the period when an ultrasound can be done to determine the gender of the baby and fetal Anatomy scans are conducted by the mother's obstetrician.
●Third Trimester (Week 27-40):
-It is the final period of pregnancy that is from 28 to 40 weeks and the baby continues to grow and develop.
-The baby's bones fully form, organs are fully developed and can function on their own, lungs mature completely,brain continues to develop kidneys continue to mature and the baby's head may drop into the pelvis, a process called lightening.
-Mothers have different physical symptoms like shortness of breath,Hemorrhoids,Urinary incontinence,Varicose veins,Sleeping problems,Back pain,Discomfort in the pelvis and hips and emotional symptoms like Anxiety or depression, Irritability, and Low mood.
PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS
●Physical Symptoms:
The following symptoms are experienced during pregnancy:
☆Missed period: The first sign of pregnancy.
☆Nausea and vomiting:This can occur at any time of day or night and is called morning sickness.
☆Breast changes:Tenderness and swelling in the breasts.
☆Fatigue: Tiredness or lack of energy.
☆Frequent urination: The urge to urinate more often, including at night.
☆Food cravings: One have cravings for certain foods or have aversions to others.
☆Backache: Pain in your lower abdomen or back.
☆Constipation: One can face difficulty in passing stool or bowel movements may become slower.
☆Heartburn and indigestion: One can have a burning feeling in chest or stomach.
☆Skin changes: skin may become itchy, or may develop skin tags.
☆Swelling: One can have swelling in ankles, feet, hands, calves, or thighs.
☆Shortness of breath: One can be short of breath due to increased lung capacity.
☆Headache: Feeling pain in head is common during early or late pregnancy periods.
●Emotional Symptoms:
-The following symptoms are experienced during pregnancy:
☆Depression
☆Anxiety
☆Irritability
☆Sleep issues
☆Appetite changes
☆Concentration issues
☆Bonding issues
☆Thoughts of harm
●Other Symptoms:
-Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as False contractions or Practice contractions which prepare the mother's body to go into labor.
-They're usually felt in second or third trimester and feels like mild,irregular tightening in the abdomen which are caused by woman's muscle tightening.
PREGNANCY NUTRITION
●Essential Nutrients:
Some of the essential nutrients are:
Iron
Folate (Folic acid)
Vitamin D
Calcium
Omega 3 fatty acids
Choline
Vitamin B ,C , A,B6 and B12
●Healthy Foods:
Some of the healthy food options are:
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
Proteins
Dairy
Oils
Starchy foods
A mother should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
●Foods to Avoid
Fried Foods
Processed Meats
Spicy food
Sweeted Beverages
Chocolate
Ice cream
PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS
●Miscarriage : It is the most common type of pregnancy loss before the 20th week when the fetus isn't developing properly and it can be both physically and emotionally painful.
Symptoms:
Blood,fluid or tissue passes from the vagina with the pain in stomach or lower back.
●Gestational Diabetes: It is a condition in which a high blood sugar level condition affects a pregnant women.
This condition affects the baby's growth as fetus becomes large weighing 9 pounds or more — are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, have birth injuries or need a C-section birth. Early (preterm) birth.
●Hypertension: It can occur usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy when the pregnant women has a high blood pressure that is 140/90 mmHg and no signs of protein in her urine.
Some women may experience excessive swelling,severe headaches and blurred or double vision.
●Preterm Labor: It is a situation when labor begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy and that type of birth is called preterm birth.
Symptoms
☆Mild abdominal cramps
☆Vaginal discharge that is watery, bloody, or mucus-like
☆Increased vaginal discharge
☆Regular tightening or low, dull pain in your back
☆Increased pressure in your pelvis or vagina
☆Persistent menstrual-like cramps
☆Leaking of fluid from your vagina
☆Vaginal bleeding
☆Flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting
☆Decreased fetal movements
BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM
●Postpartum Care
-It involves resting,eating healthy foods and caring for perineal area.
-Take rest whenever your baby sleeps,give yourself sometime to heal and limit physical activity until your Gynecologist advices.
-One should take a lot of water,eat healthy foods which includes,fruits,vegetables,lean proteins and whole grains.
-Mothers who have a vaginal delivery should use a peri bottle with warm water to rinse after using the bathroom and should use witch hazel pads or a hemorrhoid cream also soaking their anal area in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes 2 to 3 times a day will help them heal faster.
●Breastfeeding
-It is an act of nursing that is feeding a baby with breast milk as it contains nutrients,vitamins,minerals and antibodies which are considered very crucial for the baby's growth and development.
-Breastfeeding ensures safety for the mother as well as baby by protecting them from certain health conditions,it also reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in mother's.
-The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that babies start breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
-The WHO recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.
-Healthcare providers recommend continuing to breastfeed after introducing solid foods.
