Pregnancy and your body

First Trimester

Ingestion of chemicals, alcohol, and exposure to harmful toxins should be avoided to reduce potential risk to the developing fetus. Several hormonal changes occur. The most common side effects include fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness and growth, and frequent urination. A woman’s menstrual cycle stops completely; however, some women have bleeding at the time of a missed period. The breasts go through several changes as well. Darkening of the areola, tenderness, and changes in breast size are common symptoms. The uterus enlarges to many times its normal size. Constipation and heartburn is common. Ways to alleviate nausea and vomiting include eating small amounts of nutritious food every 2-3 hours. Avoid greasy, fried, or spicy foods. Before getting out of bed, eat crackers; eat a light snack before going to bed. Consume liquids or soup in between meals to avoid abdominal swelling. Regular patterns of sleep and rest are important. A woman should rest frequently with her feet elevated. After a day of work or activities, she should go home and take a nap. Going to bed an hour earlier than normal is a wise suggestion. As kidneys adjust to the pregnancy requirements, frequent urination occurs because of actual structural and functional changes in the kidneys. Hydration is important; consumption of quality fluids such as water, milk, and juice are best. It is wise to avoid soft drinks and beverages with high sugar concentration and empty calories.

Second Trimester

The second trimester is usually more comfortable. The pregnancy now becomes visible, and fetal movement can be felt. Visualization by an ultrasound confirms growing life. All of baby’s organs are formed and maturing. Maternal blood volume increases in a woman’s body causing blood pressure to decrease slightly and heart rate to increase by 10 to 20 beats per minute. By 20 weeks, the uterus will be at the level of the umbilicus (belly button). Due to increased estrogen levels, gums tend to bleed easily. Many women experience nose bleeds read more