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A New Mom’s Guide to the Three Stages of Pregnancy

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Couple examining pregnancy test in bed

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! This will be one of the most exciting times of your life. Right now, you are probably nervous and curious about what to expect.

Nearly 123 million women get pregnant each year, so you are certainly not alone even if it may feel like it right now.

Let’s help ease some of your anxiety by going over what to expect during the three stages of pregnancy. Keep reading to learn about the different trimester stages, symptoms, baby development, and procedures during your 9-month journey to motherhood.

The Different Trimesters

You may wonder how long does each trimester lasts. The typical full-term pregnancy is about 40 weeks and is group into three stages known as trimesters. You, along with your baby, will go through major changes during each of these 12- to 13- week phases:

  • 1st Trimester: Conception to 12 weeks
  • 2nd Trimester: Week 13 to week 27
  • 3rd Trimester: Week 28 to birth

All pregnancies are different, so you may have symptoms that others do not. You may experience some symptoms when your hormones change and the baby grows.

First Trimester

The egg is fertilized and then implants to the uterus. The baby is just an embryo with just two layers of cells. From these two layers, the baby develops all body parts and organs.

Your Changes

The first change you may notice during this trimester is missing your period, which is usually one of the first indicators you are pregnant. Your hormones are surging and changes affect just about every organ of your body.

Symptoms you may experience include:

  • Tender breasts
  • Nausea or vomiting (known as morning sickness)
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Food aversions and cravings
  • Mood swings

At the end of this trimester, your uterus will start growing outside of your pelvic cavity. This is what causes your body to look pregnant. You may also notice less pressure on the bladder until the baby gets even larger.

You should take good care of yourself. This means you may need to go to bed earlier to get more rest. You may also need to eat smaller meals throughout the day to help combat nausea.

Baby’s Development

The brain and spinal cord start developing at about 4 weeks. Around week 8, your baby’s heart forms and beats with a regular rhythm.

Around week 6, your baby will sprout arms, legs, hands, and feet. Wondering when you will know the sex of the baby? The external sex organs form and reveal at around week 12.

The baby grows rather quickly during this trimester and averages about 3 inches long at the end of week 12 (or about the size of a plum).

Tests

Your doctor will probably confirm your pregnancy with another urine test. You will also get your initial blood workup to check for any abnormalities. You may even get your first ultrasound.

Second Trimester

If you experience morning sickness during the first trimester, you may be relieved to know it will most likely get better in the second trimester. This is because your body has adjusted to all those hormone changes. You may also sleep better and have more energy.

Another exciting time in the second trimester is feeling your baby’s first moves.

Your Changes

You may feel some swelling in your feet and ankles along with leg cramps. As your belly grows, you may feel some pressure and achiness in your abdomen.  Unfortunately, you may also get some congestion like a cold.

Some women get hemorrhoids during this trimester. If you do, talk to your doctor about relief. Try to drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

Varicose veins are also another symptom that may appear at this stage.

Try to stay active during this stage to reduce swelling. You can walk or even swim for exercise. Try to eat healthy foods and elevate your feet when resting.

Baby’s Development

Your baby will have major growth spurts. Around week 16, your baby will double his or her weight and add inches. The baby will also start to move her arms and legs, so you’ll feel some jabs and kicks.

Other major developments in this trimester include:

  • Nails grow on fingers and toes
  • The baby begins to suck and swallow (may even taste some of the food you eat)
  • The brain has the biggest and most important growth
  • Eyelids can open
  • Eyelashes and eyebrows are visible

At the end of this trimester, the baby weighs about 2-3 pounds. He is also about 13-16 inches long (or the size of rutabaga).

Tests

During the second trimester, you will get the full anatomy ultrasound screening to check your baby’s development. They will also do a quad screen to check risk factors and do the glucose test to look for gestational diabetes, which is rather common.

Third Trimester

You are now in the final countdown. Your abdomen will also stretch as you finish this stage, so it may feel tight. Your uterus grows to accommodate that baby and can put pressure on your bladder once again.

You may also notice that your fatigue has returned. You may find it harder to get comfortable at night.

Your Changes

You may experience some of these symptoms in the final trimester:

  • Stretch marks
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Leaky breasts
  • Vivid dreams
  • Practice contractions or Braxton Hicks

It’s important to start practicing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor. You may also want to sleep on your left side for the best circulation. Also, try adding pillows between your legs to get more comfortable.

Baby’s Development

Your baby is on the fast track in the last weeks of pregnancy. The brain continues developing along with the lungs and kidneys.

The baby can now see and hear. In the last part of the trimester, babies can also cry and suck their thumbs.

Your baby will prepare for delivery by turning head-down and begin dropping. The average birth weight is 6-9 pounds and about 9-21 inches long (the size of a watermelon or jackfruit).

Tests

Your doctor will do any stress tests and monitor the baby’s heartbeat. At each appointment, your doctor will screen your blood pressure to watch for any spikes. They will also do a Strep B test to see if any antibiotics are needed after birth.

Enjoy Your Three Stages of Pregnancy

Being pregnant is a journey you probably won’t forget. Through each of these three stages of pregnancy, keep a journal of your thoughts that you can share with your child later in life.

Want to learn more about parenting? Keep checking out our site for advice and get ideas on what to do when the baby is here.

Prepare for childbirth with these top tips

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The thought of giving birth is scary for all soon-to-be moms. While you have no doubt that you’ll experience a lot of pain, nothing can quite prepare you for how it feels. Plus, a difficult birth could cause a health problem for your baby (see this Waco Erb’s palsy lawyer). It’s no wonder that you’re anxious about giving birth.

While some issues during childbirth simply can’t be prevented, the key is to be prepared for what the time might bring. Having a greater understanding of your body and what it goes through will make the process a whole lot smoother. The following tips will help you to prepare for the most significant day of your life.

Look after your body

You might have started looking after your body in preparation for pregnancy. Now that you’re pregnant, that shouldn’t stop. Your body is always a temple, but it’s even more important than ever. You have your baby’s health to consider as well as your own. But looking after your body will also help you to prepare for childbirth. A fit and healthy body will cope better during and after labor. So, make sure that you are eating well and exercising regularly. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, cut down on salt and quit drinking. Healthy and safe exercises for pregnant women include swimming, yoga and walking – but you can still lift weights and go running if you do so with caution.

Go to classes

Antenatal classes offer a wealth of information for a pregnant woman who’s concerned about childbirth. You will be told of the many options during childbirth and learn practical, hands on exercises to make the birth feel easier. Knowing what could happen during labor will make you feel more confident when the time comes. All pregnant women should understand their body and what it goes through during pregnancy and birth. Their spouse or partner should, too.

Organize a birthing plan

A birthing plan is a record of what you would like to happen during the birth. You can organize it with your midwife or caregiver. Organizing a birthing plan will help you to be more prepared for birth, as it ensures that your requirements are followed. Your birthing plan might include information about who you want with you during the birth, whether you want medication, and if you require any additional comfort, such as dimmed lights or music. It gives you a sense of control when your body is acting in a way that it never has before.

Ask around

Preparing for childbirth means understanding the process. So, if you’re feeling uneasy, ask those who’ve been through it. Your mum, grandma and friends can be a wealth of information, and it’s important to have conversations about childbirth. A prepared soon-to-be mother does their research and asks questions.

4 Reasons You Should Consider Formula Feeding For Your Toddler

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Baby formula has been around for quite some time now and it has been a huge support to parents all over the world. In times gone by, before you could order online from MumStore or just pick formula up at your local supermarket you had to rely on breastmilk alone as a source of nutrition for your little one. There are various reasons why some babies are not able to consume or digest breastmilk, so formula really was a breakthrough for parents.

Breastmilk has been the only thing that mothers could provide for their young for as long as mammals have been around. While it has been proven that breast milk is best most of the time, having a formula that is engineered for the health of your baby can be a godsend in certain situations. There are many reasons why you might choose baby formula over breast milk.

Keep reading for some reasons why baby formula may be a wise choice for your little one.

You Are In Need Of More Time 

Any busy parent will be thrilled to have something that can save them time during the day. Breastfeeding can be a very time-consuming process, not to mention a painful one, and the modern parent could really use a break sometimes. If you are strapped for time on a regular basis consider switching to a toddler formula for your little one. It is going to provide just about everything they need to thrive as well as giving you back a considerable amount of time in your day.

Your Toddler Cannot Drink Breastmilk

This is a very real concern for any new parent, as it will change the way you provide nourishment for your child. It is fairly common these days to find children with various degrees of intolerance or allergies to breast milk. This is one of the main reasons baby and toddler formulas were first created, to help those young ones who were struggling with their diet. Regardless of why a toddler cannot consume regular breastmilk, you can be assured there are alternatives to keep them fed.

You Are Concerned About Extra Nutrition

While breast milk is the natural way to feed your child it is going to be difficult to determine the exact nutritional content without getting expensive testing done all the time. If you are a parent who is hyper concerned with the nutrition your children get, formula will be right up your alley as you are guaranteed of its quality and nutritional content every single time.

You Have Breast Milk Related Issues

There are a variety of issues a mother can run into when it comes to her breast milk after birth. Some women are not able to produce enough breast milk to keep their children fed properly and they need other options. You can choose to go with a variety of different toddler formulas to make sure your toddler gets the nutrition they require. Some mothers can still breastfeed but just rely on the formula to give their child added nutrition, especially at the toddler stage.

You Are Fine With Formula

Every parent is going to have a slightly different stance on breastfeeding versus formula feeding, but the only thing that really matters is the health of your child. Baby and toddler formula has been researched and worked on meticulously for a long time so your child will certainly benefit from it. Whether you cannot breastfeed, your child has allergies, or you just need a break sometimes, baby and toddler formulas are available for a reason.

Should You Pick a Midwife Over Your OB-Gyn?

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The first time you see those two lines on a pregnancy test stick, it’s time to make decisions. How you are going to save all the money? Who is going to be the OB-Gyn? And the best places to stock up on all the baby stuff. Perhaps the most important decision parents have to make is choosing between a midwife and an OB-Gyn.

Doctors perform deliveries in hospitals while midwives arrive at your doorstep and turn your home into a makeshift birthing center. Midwives are also more available as they visit the family multiple times before the big day and thus bonding with the mother. Hospitals, on the other hand, are more equipped to handle emergencies that may occur during childbirth. 

Advantages of Doctors Over Midwives

When it comes to childbirth, most people still choose hospitals and doctors instead of midwives of home births. There is no denying that being in the hospitals provides more confidence as you know they are equipped to handle emergencies. The following are a couple of advantages of choosing a delivery performed by a doctor as opposed to home births. 

Doctors Are Prepared to Handle Emergencies: The biggest reason why doctors are preferred over midwives is that they are qualified to perform emergency procedures such as vacuum births, C-sections, and forceps deliveries. Midwives are neither qualified nor legally allowed to perform these procedures. This means if there is a complication during a particular home birth, midwives usually rush the mom to the nearest hospital. 

Doctors Have More Experience and Knowledge: When it comes to childbirth and the knowledge of medicine, doctors are more qualified. This helps the would-be mother feel more confident about the entire setup.

Advantages of Midwives Over Doctors

If your delivery is uncomplicated and natural, then there is no beating the personal care and experience of a qualified midwife. They prepare your home, they support you and coach you through the delivery,  and they eliminate the need for rushing to a hospital. Midwives are also quite experienced, especially if you hire them through a reputed service provider such as Hearth and Home Midwifery. The following are 6 advantages midwives have over doctors.

They Are Less Likely to Do Anything Risky: As mentioned earlier, midwives are not legally allowed to perform procedures such as forceps and vacuum deliveries. This can be a blessing in disguise. A lot of injuries to the mom and the infant happen due to these emergency procedures. For instance, Erb’s palsy is a lifelong condition of partial disability of the arm that happens to infant and that occurs primarily due to forceps deliveries. 

Midwives Remain Available and Provide Personalized Attention: If you are looking for a friendly advisor who will stay long hours before and after the pregnancy, then there is no beating a qualified midwife. Apart from providing assistance during childbirth, midwives remain available and answer questions and provide helpful tips and services.

They Are Open to Take Your Preference and Comfort into Consideration: Midwives are almost always more flexible and they take your inputs very seriously. Whether you want a water birth or want your baby delivered in a particular room, they are always ready to accommodate. Midwives also create an atmosphere where you feel empowered. They also pay extra visits as per your request before and after the delivery.

They Provide Essential Services After the Delivery: Right from placenta encapsulation to providing infant care facilities, midwives stick around after the birth to provide assistance and guidance to the new mom. Having assisted many births, they know how to solve commonly arising problems and offer helpful advice to make the parents feel more confident.

They Are Easily Accessible: Doctors have hectic lives. So much so, that they often remain unavailable. It’s not uncommon for doctors to leave for out-of-town conferences and seminars. This means if you need your OB-Gyn to provide advice and assistance, he or she might not be available. Midwives, on the other hand, remain available and make house calls on requests.

They Are More Affordable: One of the main reasons why people often choose home births performed by  midwives is because they are cheaper than hospital births. While a home birth can cost around $3,000 a hospital childbirth can easily fetch a bill of over $10,000.

What Happens If Things Go Wrong?

Most experienced midwives often call ahead to inform the hospital that a pregnant patient is being transferred. They also follow an emergency protocol to swiftly transport the patient to a hospital if things do go wrong. 

What Happens During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

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What Happens During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

A lot can happen throughout your pregnancy. There will be highs and lows as it progresses—each trimester different than the others.

For some expectant mothers, the first trimester is where all the bad stuff happens: morning sickness, nausea, lightheadedness, mood swings—you name it! You’re dreading to know what’s in store for you next. But what really happens in the next trimester?

Whether you’re preparing to bear a child or nearing the second trimester yourself, this guide will help you learn what to expect during months 4 to 6 of pregnancy.

The Momma’s Guide to the Second Trimester

Good news! By the second trimester, you should expect all the nasty stuff that irked you in the last three months to fade. Your energy and mood are back—it’s like being your old self again.

Many expectant moms love the second trimester. They regard it as the easiest stage throughout their pregnancy.

While you’re feeling a lot better, you will experience major changes during this phase. And it’s important to know what to expect to help you prepare for them.

Your Baby’s Growth

Your baby is growing fast! As you enter week 18, your baby will weigh as much as a chicken breast. He or she will likely pack on the pounds by the end of the second trimester.

Another thing to be excited about is the fact that you can now feel little jabs and kicks in your belly!

Here are more fetal developments you can expect:

  • Skin, hair, and nails.Your baby now has tiny hairs—and eyelashes too. He or she will be covered with a downy fuzz known as lanugo. Vernix caseosa follows on; this greasy layer will protect your baby’s skin from the acid in amniotic fluid.
  • Your baby starts sucking and swallowing to prepare for life outside the womb.
  • Your baby’s brain now regulates his or her heartbeat. You should clearly hear it with a stethoscope come week 20.

Your Changing Body

During the second trimester, your body should be transforming from looking plump to actually looking pregnant. For some women, certain symptoms from the first trimester may persist, but there will be new changes as well.

  • Breast enlargement. Your breasts will continue to grow to prepare for breastfeeding. On the brighter side, much of the tenderness you’ve felt from the previous trimester should be wearing off. It’s best to go one size up or more when wearing a bra to keep you more comfortable.
  • Heartburn and constipation. During this stage, your body is producing more progesterone, a muscle-relaxing hormone. It affects the esophageal muscle that keeps the acid and food down in the stomach and pushes your food through the intestines. You can avoid heartburn by having small frequent feedings. Meanwhile, taking more fiber and extra fluids should keep constipation at bay.
  • Skin changes. A dark line on your abdomen, called linea nigra, will start to appear. This skin change is usually temporary and should fade away after giving birth. You may also notice spider and varicose veins appearing on your legs. This is due to the increasing pressure in your lower limbs.

Your Weight Gain

Expect to gain pregnancy weight during the second trimester. This is due to your growing baby and your increasing appetite. If you had a normal weight pre-pregnancy, it’s advisable to gain around one pound a week, with a total of fourteen pounds throughout the trimester.

But don’t overdo it. Packing on way too many pounds increases your chances of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and hypertension.

It’s best to discuss weight requirements with your doctor so you’ll know how much weight to gain throughout pregnancy.

Your Prenatal Care

Prenatal care during the second trimester will focus on your baby’s development and detecting any pregnancy problems.

Your healthcare provider will regularly check your weight and blood pressure, as well as the size of your uterus. Your doctor will often want to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. He or she can suggest a screening test using a reliable ultrasound transducer to find out your baby’s sex.

You’re almost there!

While you’re waiting for your belly to pop, take advantage of the second trimester. Pamper yourself while you can. The third trimester is on its way, and before you know it, you’ll be holding your tiny bundle of joy in your arms.

Image: https://www.babble.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/489226561-624×416.jpg

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