Page 119 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 17

First Trimester

In the early weeks the mother is likely to be more tired. Most expectant mothers are still in shock!
As your uterus begins to grow your "bump" begins to be more noticeable. This is a good time to start
looking into options on birthing and doctors.

• Physical feelings: tiredness, nausea, constipation, frequent urination, food cravings, change
in size of breasts, fainting or dizziness, bloated stomach, and high emotions.

Second Trimester

The mother will probably be feeling full of energy and excitement.

• Physical feelings: More energy, constipation, heartburn, and indigestion. The breasts
continue to grow, as does an increase in appetite. There is mild swelling in the feet,
ankles, hands, and face. There is also more baby movement. There may be emotional ups
and downs in the feeling of pregnancy, and short-term memory may be poor.
• The hormones estrogen, progesterone, human placental lactogen, oxytocin, and prolactin
prepare the body for feeding the baby, and cause the breasts to enlarge, becoming painful
and tender.
• The fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid account for just over a third of the weight gain
during pregnancy. The remaining weight comes from increased blood volume, fluid
retention, and extra body fat. The suggested weight gain in most pregnancies is between
25-35 lbs.

Third Trimester

Physical feelings
Shortness of breath, tiredness, difficulty in moving and sleeping, and frequent urination. The
emotional mood swings ease off, but the mother begins to feel less enthusiastic about being
pregnant. She may become impatient and restless and just wants for the birth to be over.
• The body is changing to cope with the ever increasing size of the womb. The baby grows
and pushes out the lower back of the mother. The breathing rate of the baby is growing
very quickly. At this stage, the mother should feel the movements of the fetus. Other signs
may be the nipples secreting colostrum, Braxton-Hicks' contractions may begin, and
blood flow to the womb has increased tenfold since conception.

Prenatal Care

Once the female confirms her pregnancy, she will need to find out her physical condition and what
to expect in the coming months. Prenatal tests, prenatal care, and what type of birthing methods, are
many options that she will need to decide what is best for her.

• Prenatal Visits

The main purpose of the visit is to troubleshoot for potential problems. A series of tests will be

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