| Knowing about the different stages of pregnancy will | | | | this time, there is a great possibility of the child having |
| help you prepare for what lies ahead during this very | | | | congenital anomalies. |
| important time in your life. There are basically three | | | | The second trimester arrives like a blessing because |
| stages of pregnancy, and various bodily changes can | | | | this is when your morning sickness would have |
| be experienced during each one. | | | | dissipated. It is at this stage of pregnancy when you |
| As your body changes, so does the baby develop. | | | | could start enjoying your life because you have by |
| Each stage features a new milestone in the baby's | | | | now grown accustomed to carrying the extra weight. |
| growth, and you should be aware of when these | | | | You can also resume your regular exercises as soon |
| things happen so that your nine-months of pregnancy | | | | as your doctor gives you the blessing. And since you |
| could be a memorable and fruitful experience. | | | | have already "come to terms" with your condition by |
| During the first trimester, you will experience the | | | | this time, it is also that stage of pregnancy when you |
| greatest effects of the hormonal changes in your | | | | can enjoy shopping for flattering maternity wear. |
| body while your baby goes through the most critical | | | | You could continue experiencing headaches or |
| stages of his development. | | | | backaches, but these are of course natural. Maintain a |
| At this time, you start to experience morning sickness - | | | | healthy diet packed with fruits and vegetables, and |
| a phenomenon caused by nausea and vomiting, usually | | | | religiously take the supplements which your doctor has |
| occuring after you wake up in the morning. Some | | | | prescribed. |
| mothers never experience a single bout of morning | | | | When you finally reach the last stage of pregnancy - |
| sickness, while some curse this stage of pregnancy to | | | | the third trimester - you will be able to enjoy your |
| high heavens. | | | | condition more despite all the discomforts. You can |
| It is also during this stage of pregnancy that your | | | | feel the baby's kicks and can even ask to know what |
| breasts start to swell and are tender to touch. You | | | | your baby's gender is. This is an exciting time as you |
| also will want to sleep many times during the day, | | | | also begin purchasing stuff that you will need for the |
| despite getting a full night's sleep. | | | | new arrival. |
| During this first stage of pregnancy, you will strangely | | | | During the last of the 3 stages of pregnancy, you may |
| look for certain kinds of food - some oddly not even | | | | again have feelings of anxiety, knowing that the day of |
| close to what you preferred to eat while you were | | | | reckoning is imminent. Relax and don't let tense feelings |
| pregnant. Other preferences could even include foods | | | | overcome you. Enjoin a partner to accompany you to |
| that are impossible to obtain or are out of season! | | | | childbirth or Lamaze classes. |
| Although your baby grows during all stages of | | | | Read about the first signs of labor so you won't get |
| pregnancy, the first trimester is critical because this is | | | | caught flat-footed. Remember, even if you're given a |
| when its major organs and body parts are formed. It is | | | | due date, women tend to go into a labor up to a |
| also when the neural tube and the brain develops, and | | | | couple of weeks before or after that date. |
| thus if the mother is exposed to various infections at | | | | |