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What are the stages of pregnancy and why is it important to know about them?

Pregnancy is usually divided into three periods often called trimesters because they are periods divided into 3 months each. Knowing what each trimester holds helps a woman know what to expect in her pregnancy.

The First Trimester

This is the period from the moment of the baby’s conception up to 12 weeks. Most miscarriages happen during this period. It is during this stage that great changes happen in the woman’s body. This is also the period where frequent nausea, vomiting, increased fatigue and restlessness happens. Food cravings may start to appear, as wells unpredictable emotional changes. During the first trimester, a woman’s hormones are all over her body doing so many changes that she’ll see so many changes in her body.

The Second Trimester

The second trimester starts from the 13th week up to 28th week of pregnancy. During this period, morning sickness starts to abate as the woman gradually starts gaining weight. Most women also start feeling more energized in this period as the bouts of hormonal changes inside her body stops and stabilize. It is also during the 2nd trimester that the mother will feel the baby “kick,” also often called “quickening.” This can be a wondrous experience for mothers and many feel this as the defining moment of their pregnancies.

The Third Trimester

This is the last period in a woman’s pregnancy. This starts from the 28th week up until the baby is finally born. By this time the woman’s belly will drop down very low. This is the sign that the baby is getting into position and getting ready for birth. This is also the most uncomfortable period for mothers as the baby becomes more and more active and fetal movements become stronger. Women will experience backaches and weak bladder control because of the baby’s size and movements.

Birth

Finally, the baby is born. A woman is considered to be in labor when she begins experiencing regular uterine contractions along with dilation of her cervix. As the woman’s labor progresses, the uterine contractions become stronger, longer, and occur closer together. Once the cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor, also called “the pushing stage,” begins. The last stage happens when your baby is finally delivered and its placenta separated and delivered, too.

Motherhood

Uh, oh. You thought it was finished? Pregnancy may have ended but it actually just ushered in a new period in your life. You are now the mother of a newborn baby. It is now your duty to love and care for this child. The bond between mother and child is strong due to the months spent together with each other. This bond is further strengthened during nursing, when the mother nurses her baby with her own milk. Though fathers seem to be out of the picture in the whole stage of pregnancy, they actually play a very important role in pregnancies. Their role, though small, is by no means unimportant. Standing by the mother’s side and offering encouragement and support can mean a lot and can help mothers give birth more easily.

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Tags: Stages of Pregnancy