What Happens To Your Body While Pregnant Trimester By Trimester: Here's What You Can Expect When You're Expecting
Sure, many women say that having a child is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, but they also agree that your body goes through some pretty weird changes during pregnancy. Every woman experiences pregnancy in different ways, but there are common occurrences that happen at each stage.
In the first trimester, many will feel increasingly tired and fatigued as the body has to work much harder to get accustomed to supporting a growing fetus, according to WebMd. Even though babies are small, only about three inches long by week 13, going to the bathroom frequently will become a problem as the growing child puts pressure on your bladder.
Read: Poor Pregnancy Diet Linked To ADHD: Too Much Sugar, Fat Affects Unborn Baby
During the first trimester, your body makes more progesterone hormone to relax muscles, including those in your lower esophagus. As a result, many expectant mothers will experience the pains of heartburn. WebMD recommends eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and to avoid greasy, spicy and acidic foods.
Thankfully, many of the symptoms you experience from the first trimester, like morning sickness and mood swings, will ease when you reach the second, but leg cramps and heartburn could still be a few sources of discomfort. At this point, you’ll also start to gain weight and hiding that baby bump may not be as easy. Along with the added weight may come back pain, but side sleeping usually alleviates discomfort. According to WebMD, headaches are one of the most common complaints during the second trimester, and deep breathing techniques are recommended over the traditional pain killers.
In the final trimester, you might feel mild contractions, known as Braxton Hicks, that occur to help prepare your uterus for labor. While less intense, it’s not uncommon for pregnant women to think they’re the real thing, says WebMD. Along with the contractions come a variety of less-than ideal symptoms like hemorrhoids, puffiness, and varicose veins, reports FamilyDoctor.org. Thankfully, everything will culminate after 40 weeks with the birth of your newborn.
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Mother's Day Science: How A Woman's Body Changes During 9 Months Of Pregnancy
