Pregnancy Symptoms: What You Can Expect When You’re Expecting
Posted by Medical Fan - 23/12/08 at 08:12 amPregnancy Symptoms: What You Can Expect When You’re Expecting
A normal pregnancy usually stretches into 40 weeks or 9 months. During this period, a variety of changes happen to your body. To help you prepare for the journey ahead, the period of pregnancy is divided into three-month intervals called trimesters. Every trimester has its own signature pregnancy symptoms, although they overlap in some cases.
The first trimester is generally considered to be the most bothersome stage in any pregnancy. This is because your hormonal levels are constantly fluctuating as your system works to make the necessary adjustments. Thus, in the first trimester, you are likely to feel pregnancy symptoms that are similar to pre-menstrual symptoms, which also deal with hormonal changes. You may feel nauseous or queasy, have headaches and fits of emotional outbursts the reason for which you don’t really know, have cravings for food you don’t normally want to eat, and become more sensitive to certain smells and sounds. The second trimester comes as a relief. During this time, your body has already adjusted well, although mood swings and cravings may still occur from time to time. It also during this time that your body begins to show noticeable physical and physiological signs of pregnancy, including a more pronounced bump, swelling hands and feet, larger breasts with bigger and darker nipples, wider hips, the need to urinate every now and then, heartburns, constipation, indigestion, and weight gain. The third trimester usually involves more psychological rather than physical changes, especially as your due date approaches. You are likely to feel anxious and excited both at the same time.
With regular check-ups, you can have an easy, uncomplicated pregnancy. Make these pregnancy symptoms a guide in caring for yourself and your baby during this precious time in your life.