what to expect when expecting
Erin Konomos
Trimester One: The Mother's Body
Congrats! You're pregnant. It's the very beginning and during the early stages you will begin to get morning sickness and intense mood swings around 6 weeks. Your breasts are going to begin to produce colostrum, a nutrient-rich fluid that will help the baby feed well after birth for the first few days. You should, however stop drinking completely, no drugs [they're a bad idea, anyway] and stay out of situations that put you into risky situations. The end of this Trimester, 13 Weeks into it, your fatigue and morning trips to the bathroom should slowly begin to subside. Your belly shouldn't pop out too much within this time period, gaining only a mere 5 pounds. Perhaps it will appear as just a bloated stomach until around 20 weeks!
Trimester one: What is the baby up to?
Wait, Wait, Wait. The fetus isn't even a baby yet. Fertilization has occurred in the Fallopian Tubes as the egg meets with the sperm to combine genetic material, then together, travel within the uterus to encounter implantation. Around the 8 Week mark, the fetus should be around a quarter of an inch long, forming only the face along with the nose, mouth and ears.
Trimester One: What should Daddy be doing?
You're lucky so far, dad. For now, your only job is to be supportive and make sure that the mother is steering clear away from foods that are too unhealthy, along with drinks and drugs. Prepare for a hormonal roller coaster, you're in this for life.
Trimester Two: The Mother's Body
This trimester is extremely crucial. More iron should be eaten in your diet to help lower your blood volume. This will help subside the cramps, possible heartburn and night sweats you will most likely encounter during this section of the pregnancy. Sleeping is becoming difficult, as you have now gained around 10 pounds and sleeping on your belly is no longer allowed. Your hair will begin to thicken, as the strands that usually fall are staying attached due to hormonal changes, nutritional needs, and estrogen. Once you've reached 20 weeks: WOO-HOO! YOU'RE HALFWAY DONE! However, your mobility should increasingly lessen when you come upon 25 weeks of pregnancy, as daily tasks only get harder and harder.
Trimester Two: What is the baby up to?
The baby is now forming impulses and facial expressions around 15 weeks! Stretching out, your tummy will certainly show and you have the option of choosing to know the sex of the baby around this time. The child's fat, hair and nerves are taking place and movement will become very evident as the baby shifts within your tummy.
Trimester Two: What should daddy be doing?
Go with her to usual appointments. That is important. It shows that you care for the mother and the baby. Provide her rich foods that contain a ton of iron and protein! MEAT MEAT MEAT. If she is a vegetarian, get alternatives. It would be a clever idea to always have cool water available as well as a hand to hold onto.
Trimester Three: The Mother's Body
You're getting HUGE, woman! By 28 weeks,you should have successfully gained approximately 11 more pounds than trimester two. Your legs and swelled feet are achy, aren't they? You're becoming restless as sleep is close to impossible. Don't worry. In a couple months, once you reach 35-37 weeks, you are considered to be at the "full-term" aka: end of pregnancy. The baby will be fine if he/she decides to pop out from then on. Take it easy during the day; anxiety and night problems are common. Contractions are about to happen, yet if spotting occurs with blood and mucus, be very alarmed--the baby is arriving shortly.
Trimester Three: What is the baby up to?
Your little one is developing eyesight and her/his brain is almost fully functional. The legs, arms, tummy, face, fingers, everything! The baby is coming soon, so be prepared. Kicking and moving around is all the baby wants to do, now. They want to see the world, and will be constantly in motion.
Trimester Three: What should daddy be doing?
Help your lady take is easy during the day. She's not meaning to be a bother, so those simple tasks she's asking you to do, as you grumble about why she shouldn't do them herself... well, she can't. As often as you can, provide her a comfortable sleeping environment, as she has been restless the past few months. Stretch her legs and massage her feet: They are swollen and hurting more than you know. Remember, she's carrying another person around constantly--her body isn't used to all that weight!