Body Changes In Pregnancy

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)

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Morning Sickness : It is present in 50% of pregnant females.

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Starts soon after missed period

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Rarely last beyond first trimester

Increase Frequency of Micturition : Quite troublesome symptoms during 8th to 12th week pregnancy. After 12 weeks this symptom disappears.

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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.

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Fatique : It is a frequent symptom may occur early in pregnancy.

2nd Trimester (13-28 Weeks) 

Amenorrhoea (missed periods) continues, while other symptom subside.

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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.

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Progressive enlargement of lower abdomen.

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Chloasma: It is pigmentation over the forehead & cheek. It appears at about 24th week of pregnancy.

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Breast are more enlarged with increased prominent veins under the skin.

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Secondary Areola: Pigmentation increase around the areola.

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Colostrums (milk produced by mammary gland) become fluid and yellowish by 16th week.

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Striae (both pink and white) of varying degree are visible in lower abdomen more towards flanks.

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Bluish dis colouration of the vulva, vagina and cervix occurs.

3rd Trimester (29-40 Weeks) 

Amenorrhoea persists

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Enlargement of abdomen is progressive which may lead to discomfort of palpitation or breathelessness following exertion.

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Increased frequency of micturition reappears

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Fetal movement are most pronounced

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Lightening : at about 38th week of pregnancy, a sense of relief of the pressure symptoms (like breathelessness, palpitation)