Pregnancy Trimester

Dividing the entire pregnancy period into the three pregnancy trimester will enable both doctors and pregnant women alike to evaluate the different level of development by the fetus. Aside from the knowledge of the fetal development, it will also make the women aware on what they can do (or must not do) to ensure the safety of the baby inside their belly.

Each of the pregnancy trimester is divided into three months each, equal to the 9-month pregnancy period. It both monitors each process of development for the mother and baby.

The First Trimester

The first trimester of your pregnancy begins at the time of conception until after 12 weeks. This point is the most crucial as the embryo is still in its stage of development. It covers the initial showing of pregnancy signs and the performance of several tests to confirm your state of pregnancy.

Hence, women elicit various pregnancy symptoms ranging from nausea, increased level of fatigue, vomiting, either food cravings, aversion, indigestion, or increased emotional sensitivity. All of these are due to extreme hormonal changes that are being experienced by the woman.

This is also the stage wherein the pregnant woman first meets with a doctor for prenatal checkup. Hence, you will be advised to stay away from certain lifestyle routines such as smoking or drinking, to ensure that no negative impacts are inflicted on the developing baby.

The Second Trimester

Once you reach the 13th week of pregnancy, this signals the second trimester for your pregnancy. This period of your pregnancy will last until the 28th week. Many refer to this stage as the best time of your pregnancy. Unlike the first trimester wherein your body is still trying to cope with the changes in your hormone, the level of HcG is more stable now. Hence, you will notice that nausea is starting to subside as well and you are safe from the risks of miscarriage.

However, you will most likely have to undergo some necessary changes during this stage. You will have to wear more loose fitting clothes to accommodate for your enlarging belly. While you energy levels and sexual drive are back to normal, you still need to ensure that adequate fiber requirements are met.

The Third Trimester

After the second trimester, follows the last of the three pregnancy stages is the third trimester. This spans from the 28th week until the time you deliver the baby. As you move towards the last few months of the baby inside your womb, the fetus is also undergoing development at tremendous pace.

Hence, it coincides with the several different bodily changes experienced by the mother. You will most likely suffer from extreme swelling on both hands and feet. Others suffer from cramps as the child's need for vitamins, minerals, and calcium are also increasing.

The size of the fetus is also continuing to grow at this stage, as well as a more complete physical appearance. By the third trimester, the baby will also slowly make its way toward the pelvic area to prepare for the delivery. To cope with whatever feeling of stress you might experience, you must practice deep breathing and relaxation. This will be helpful when it's time to deliver your new baby!

Click here to read more on Pregnancy Trimester