The Different Stages of Pregnancy

If you are reading this, you are probably reading it because a close friend or relative is pregnant, or you're planning on having a baby or you have just received the good news that you are soon going to be the mother of a beautiful baby. Whatever the scenario, congratulations! The whole process of pregnancy, while it can be cumbersome it is also a beautiful experience and one which the mother will cherish for the rest of her life, and once that is complete the end result makes it all worth it of course.

Pregnancy can be divided into 3 stages known as trimesters; however, there are visible changes that usually occur every week as the process of pregnancy progresses and various changes take place in your body as the baby grows. The stages explained below are series of symptoms that occur throughout the course of pregnancy. Bear in mind symptoms are specific to the individual, so this should only be used as a guide, you may experience different symptoms. Let's look at the stages in more detail:

First Trimester

The first trimester usually lasts around 12 weeks. At this period you still may not know that you are pregnant, so if you are suspecting pregnancy you can use these symptoms to determine if you may or may not be pregnant. To be sure though, the ideal way would be to take a pregnancy test or visit your doctor. The main symptom here that is experienced by all is that menstruation stops. Another main recurring symptom in the first trimester is morning sickness. This is usually characterized as a series of symptoms that are usually digestion related such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some women may not experience this, especially if it this isn't your first pregnancy. Morning sickness can be one of the biggest hassles during the first trimester, if you are having trouble coping up with it, be sure to read through these morning sickness remedies. Another symptom that is highly subjective is mood swings, headaches and other flu related symptoms. Another alarming symptom maybe weight loss because it is a common assumption that weight should be gained, however some women lose weight during the first trimester.

Second Trimester

By the time you get to the second trimester you will be starting to feel a lot more relieved because discomforts such as morning sickness should have faded away since the raging hormones would have now settled. Besides this, you will experience a new set of symptoms such as rapid weight gain as your baby grows and aches in different areas of your body as your body attempts to cope up with the new weight. You may also experience swelling and itching. The second trimester lasts for approximately sixteen weeks.

Third Trimester

This is the final stage of pregnancy thus you may experience a whole new set of symptoms on the onset of another set of hormones. Like the first trimester, the third trimester lasts about 12 weeks. You will experience similar symptoms to the second trimester and some of the morning sickness symptoms of the first trimester. You may also experience difficulty breathing which will be relieved once lightening occurs which is where your baby drops further into the pelvic cavity, this may cause a new symptom of frequent urges to urinate as there is now a strain on your bladder. After a few more symptoms the main symptom would be your ‘water breaking'. During this time contractions should soon follow or may have already started in preparation for the birth of your baby. If contractions don't begin, you might have to induce it. Read these tips on how to bring on labor.

I hope that gives you an idea of the symptoms you will experience throughout the stages of pregnancy. Again, remember that symptoms vary individually so the best way to stay safe is to have close contact and communication with your obstetrician. Good luck!