Pregnancy Trimesters
By: Amanda and Brittany || Hour 5
Trimester One
For the mother, the first trimester will include larger and more tender breasts because the body is preparing for breast feeding. It's normal for the body to feel less-than exceptional. Nausea, vomitting, and headaches may occur, as well as fatigue and constipation. A fourth of women may even experience light bleeding in the first trimester. The mother also tends to find changes in her appetite such as food cravings or reluctance towards other foods.
For the baby, during month one of trimester one, the baby will begin developing the mouth, lower jaw, and throat. The baby is barely the size of a grain of rice. During month two, the baby will form little folds of skin for the ears, stumps for the arms and legs and the neural tube begins to develop. The cartilage begins being replaced by bone. The baby is now considered a fetus and is one inch in length. At the end of month three, you may determine your child's gender and it is now 3-4 inches in length. The fetus' figure is now entirely formed.
Trimester Two
For the mother, her breasts and belly continue to grow - she may gain stretch marks from the growing belly. For some women, the skin may darken in certain spots. Inside the body, blood vessels dilate along with a decrease in blood pressure, sometimes causing the mother to feel dizzy. The women's body is making room for the baby, causing for more bladder and kidney infenctions. It is believed that in order to remove bacteria, the body releases a vaginal discharge.
For the baby, his/her fingers and toes are now well-developed. The baby has eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair on its head. Their muscles are now forming, allowing them to start kicking, which the mother does feel, and also aids in their hearing. Their skin is red in color and is transparent, making the veins visible. At the end of trimester two, the baby is now a foot in length and weighing at about 2 pounds.
Trimester Three
For the mother, during the third trimester, she will be going through a lot of physical changes. Frequent urination and shortness of breath may occur due to the uterus growing and putting weight on the bladder and pressing on the rib cage. With the extra hormones going through the woman's body, she may feel heartburn or experience constipation. Spider veins might develop due to the extra blood flowing through the body and they should leave after the baby is born. To prepare the body for labor, Braxton Hicks contractions may occur. They are usually mild and unpredictable.
For the baby, their hearing and sight is now fully developed. He/she can now respond to their surrounding including sound, light, and pain. They baby can now blink, move head, and grasp the hands. The baby gains fat at this stageas well as a fast developing brain. At the end of trimester three, the baby turns to get ready for labor and delivery.