Pregnancy can be defined as the 9 month long gestation period of a human baby. This is the time between the conception and the birth of the child. The period of pregnancy is usually 40 weeks long, though it can sometimes be a few weeks less or more depending on the situation. This duration is further divided in to three equal trimesters of three months each.
Every trimester marks a different stage of growth and development of the unborn baby. These stages also determine the kinds of changes that will take place in the mother’s body. Hormonal changes start the moment the egg is fertilised by the sperm in the ovaries. This is when the human journey begins. Each trimester has its own peculiarities and there are different ways to handle them.
The first trimester is perhaps the most tedious and difficult part of the pregnancy because you are still getting used to the idea of being pregnant. It is a time of great emotional and physical turmoil for the mother. However, it may also seem the shortest trimester because you get to know about the pregnancy only after 6 to 8 weeks of being pregnant. By this time half the trimester is already over. It is important to be aware of basic information about the symptoms of the first trimester.
Common Symptoms of First Trimester of Pregnancy
Here is a list of commonly signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
Pregnant women start noticing that their stomach and lower abdomen feels bloated. This may be because the digestion process slows down considerably during the first few weeks of pregnancy. This can also result in build up of intestinal gas and a constant feeling of fullness in the stomach.
Very light and intermittent vaginal bleeding is known as spotting. This usually occurs in the first month of pregnancy due to implantation of the embryo in the uterine walls. This signals the attachment and formation of the placenta which will feed the baby for the next 9 months.
Implantation of the foetus can also cause dull and intermittent pain in the lower abdomen as well as the pelvic area. Pain also occurs because the uterus starts expanding and stretching to make space for the baby as it grows.
Pregnancy nausea is also referred to as morning sickness. This symptom rears its ugly head only after about a month and a half of conception. The feeling of nausea is sometimes accompanied with vomiting and giddiness. Many women complain of symptoms very similar to vertigo. Nausea usually abates by the end of the first trimester on its own without any treatment.
Cravings and Aversions
Morning sickness has another related symptom that is experienced by most pregnant women in the first 3 months. This symptom makes a woman crave for certain foods like fried snacks, ice cream and fruits. Many women also become averse to some foods like milk, cheese, eggs, chicken and tea. Certain smells like fried onions and garlic can also bring on a bout of nausea.
Photo Credit: http://www.healthcentral.com/ency/408/imagepages/17178.html