Body Changes In Pregnancy (Trimester Wise)
1st Trimester (First 12 Weeks)
Missed Period (amenorrhoea) : Healthy individuals having periously a normal period is most likely due to pregnancy (unless proven otherwise)
Morning Sickness : It is present in 50% of pregnant females.
– Starts soon after missed period
– Rarely last beyond first trimester
Increase frequency of micturition : Quite troublesome symptoms during 8th to 12th week pregnancy. After 12 weeks this symptom disappears.
Breast discomfort : It is in form of feeling of fullness and feeling of pricking sensation. It is evident as 6th to 8th week especially in first pregnancy.
Fatique : It is a frequent symptom may occur early in pregnancy.
2nd Trimester (13-28 Weeks)
Amenorrhoea (missed periods) continues, while other symptom subside.
A Feeling of life (Quickening) – It denotes the participation of active fetal movement by the women. It is usually felt about the 18th week of pregnancy.
Progressive enlargement of lower abdomen.
Chloasma: It is pigmentation over the forehead & cheek. It appears at about 24th week of pregnancy.
Breast are more enlarged with increased prominent veins under the skin.
Secondary Areola: Pigmentation increase around the areola.
Colostrums (milk produced by mammary gland) become fluid and yellowish by 16th week.
Striae (both pink and white) of varying degree are visible in lower abdomen more towards flanks.
Bluish dis colouration of the vulva, vagina and cervix occurs.
3rd Trimester (29-40 Weeks)
Enlargement of abdomen is progressive which may lead to discomfort of palpitation or breathelessness following exertion.
– Increased frequency of micturition reappears.
– Fetal movement are most pronounced
– Lightening : at about 38th week of pregnancy, a sense of relief of the pressure symptoms (like breathelessness, palpitation)
