The Pregnancy Trimesters ExplainedTrimesters divide the human development period into three periods of three months. In other words we may say that the stages of pregnancy are referred to as trimesters, which are equivalent to the bout of 40 weeks. As the pregnancy period changes from first to third trimester, you have to be familiar with what is going on the inner side of your body by using a pregnancy calendar. Doctors think of pregnancies in terms of trimesters, or three-month periods. Understanding what happens during each stage of pregnancy can help you cope with and prepare for the changes in your body and emotions during pregnancy. The first trimester starts from the first day of the last menstrual period through 12 weeks of development. At this stage, the embryo s implantation and some structural development starts. During this trimester the pregnant woman will experience tiredness and fatigue, nausea and morning sickness. This condition is more controlled at the end of the trimester as these early signs of pregnancy disappear. Other signs of the first trimester are breast tenderness, frequent urination and heartburn. During the first trimester, you should consult your doctor who will recommend best practise with regards to nutrition, supplements and the level of exercise during pregnancy you should consider. In the first trimester, the size of the baby will increase from the size of a head-pin to about the dimension of an apple. The second trimester ranges from 13 -27 weeks where the embryo develops into the fetus. In this trimester, very significant changes take place regarding the mother and the baby. For example, the growth of the uterus and placenta. The baby will increase greatly in terms of weight and size, to around two pounds. Most women will also experience some physical discomforts such as backache and pelvic pain due to the pressure of the growing child. There will also be muscular contraction, headaches and at times spells of dizziness. The third trimester runs from approximately the twenty eighth week until labour and delivery. The third trimester is the time where you will notice exception physical changes as your body completes the cycle of pregnancy. The baby will also develop greatly during this stage of pregnancy until it is the small person you meet for the first time in the delivery room. During the third trimester, it is important to take things as easy as possible. Certainly you should cut back on the amount of exercise that you do, however you should continue to eat as much healthy food as possible, remembering that you are now eating for two. Many women decide to stop working during the third trimester, mostly because it becomes increasingly uncomfortable to stay in the same position for too long. You might also find that you are tired a lot quicker due to the additional weight that you are now carrying around. The third trimmest is the time that most women describe an unconscious bonding with their baby. Now that the belly has increase dramatically in size, it is tangible to image the small baby. Many fathers also explain that this is the time in which they become more involved from an emotional point of view in the pregnancy. Read more of our articles on the stages of pregnancy Common Words for The Stages of Pregnancy |