Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prenatal Care
It is important to practice good prenatal care during your pregnancy. You should get a good amount of exercise and eat nutritious food. Exercise boosts mood, improves sleep, and reduces pregnancy aches and pains. Some good activities for exercise are walking, swimming, low-impact aerobics, and dancing. As for nutrition, you should eat nutrient dense foods such as lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products. You should avoid eating fish. You should not smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs while you are pregnant.
Stages of pregnancy
1st Trimester
In the first trimester, the baby first starts developing. The blastocyst divides into two sections , the inner becoming the embryo. The placenta also begins to form. The fetus will develop and begin to grow. As a mother, you may experience morning sickness, mood swings, and other symptoms. You will also go to your first ob-gyn visit.
2nd Trimester
In the second trimester, the baby's sex will become apparent, the baby will begin to hear, and the baby will continue to develop, including growing hair and fingernails. You will be able to feel the baby's movements, and the baby might be able to respond to your voice. Your back will also be achy and sore due to the added weight.
3rd Trimester
The baby's eyes will open, the baby's bones will fully develop, and the baby will practice breathing. Your belly will get a lot bigger, you might experience abdominal weakness, and you might get stretch marks or varicose veins.
Stages of Childbirth
Dialation
The cervix will thin and start to open up. It will eventually dialate to around 10 cm. This is the time when your water breaks and childbirth (technically) begins.
Labor
You will experience contractions until the baby is pushed out. This is the most painful stage. It can last from a few minutes to several hours.
Afterbirth
This is the stage when the baby is delivered. After the baby is delivered, you will continue to have contractions until the placenta is delivered.