Stages of Pregnancy
Doctors usually divide a pregnancy into three stages, or trimesters.
First trimester:
Many women find out they're pregnant about half-way through the first trimester, which includes the first three months after the egg is fertilized. For teens, this may be a traumatic time, as they talk to their family and friends, make plans and discuss their future. You will not have your menstrual periods, but there may be some light spotting. Your breasts will become tender, the area around your nipple will enlarge, and your breasts will begin to swell. "Morning sickness" is usually confined to the first three months, and may include nausea and vomiting at any time of the day. This will lessen as your pregnancy moves into the second trimester. Some women don't feel any nausea at all. Ginger tea has been known to help.
The hormonal changes in early pregnancy cause the nausea and vomiting during this stage in your pregnancy. It may help if you have small but frequent meals, eat a whole wheat cracker just before getting out of bed in the morning, and drink lots of fluids during the day. Fried and fatty foods may make your nausea worse, so they should be avoided. Be sure to take any vitamin and mineral supplements your doctor prescribes.
During these first three months you may feel more tired than usual, and you may need to urinate more frequently.
By the end of the third month your baby's facial features, nose and ears have been formed, the nail beds are established, and movement will begin. The fetus will be about three inches long and weigh about an ounce.
Second trimester:
During the second trimester, beginning the fourth month after conception, your body will begin to show your pregnancy. You will be very aware of the changes in your body, and you'll begin to feel the baby moving. Your breasts will continue to grow and your nipples and areolas (the area around the nipple) may get darker.
By the end of the sixth month your baby will be about eleven to fourteen inches long and weigh about one and a half pounds. The heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope, hair and eyebrows have grown in, and the eyes are open.
Third trimester:
During the last three months of pregnancy, you may feel energetic and excited about the coming birth, but you may also experience backaches, leg crams and heartburn during this stage of your pregnancy. Pressure on your bladder will make you need to urinate frequently. Towards the end of your pregnancy you will be watching for signs that the delivery is imminent, such as vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking from the vagina, and persistent abdominal or back pain.
Unique Wall Art - Jonni is a sculptor as well as a writer. See her unique sculpted wall art, including her adorable unicorn and an loving, animal-filled Nativity, can be seen at Wall-Art-For-Kids.com
©2006 Jonni Good
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