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Pregnancy calendar - 1st trimester Finding out you're pregnant is both a very exciting and shocking experience. If you have planned to have a baby then the emotions will be easier to cope with, but either way try to surround yourself with the support of family friends and, of-course, your partner. This life-changing news takes awhile to sink in and it will be a very important and demanding 9 months of your life.
The First monthPregnancy is timed from the first day of your last menstrual period, not from when you conceive. Most mothers only confirm their pregnancy several weeks later. But from the first day of conception it's important to understand your baby's development. Your baby starts out as a tiny embryo in the fallopian tubes and within days finds its way to your uterus. From now on the blood flow to the amniotic sac and placenta increases dramatically as the embryo settles into the thick walls of the womb. Even at this stage the sex of your baby is already determined and its face, nervous system and spinal chord are rapidly developing. About 2 weeks after conception, a small bleed (mini-period) can occur, which is perfectly normal. Period pains may also occur and early signs of morning sickness. Now is a good time to begin making changes to your lifestyle; trying to give up smoking and drinking (alcohol), planning maternity leave and your finances, and optimizing your diet by regularly taking folic acid. Many women prefer to delay announcing the news until they have seen a GP and confirmed everything is going well. This first month of pregnancy is a very exciting time for you and your partner, so enjoy it!
The Second MonthMany women only discover they are pregnant well into the second month. If you have skipped a period then don't hesitate to use a home pregnancy test, they are very reliable and save you an unnecessary trip to your GP. Within 6-8 weeks your baby's heart will start to beat and the arm buds, leg buds, eyes and ears are clearly visible. The embryo cells will be forming other organs such as the brain, lungs, stomach and intestines. Amazingly the entire foetus is still only less than 8mm long. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy your body produces large amounts of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This helps maintain the pregnancy and prevents further ovulation. This is also the hormone responsible for morning sickness - a symptom that sometimes occurs at random for several months. Fizzy drinks, ginger tea, motion sickness aids and dry snacks are helpful in reducing the nausea. Feelings of anxiety during this period are perfectly normal, one minute you're excited and the next you're depressed and apprehensive. Once your pregnancy is confirmed it is a good idea to discuss the pregnancy with your GP and take advice on correct diet and habits, and to notify him or her about any medical conditions.
The Third monthDuring the third month the pregnancy is well on its way and now is a good time to have your first ante-natal appointment and scan. All the major organs (heart, brain, lungs and so on) are now clearly developing, the face begins to show basic features, and hands and feet and even a small mouth have begun to develop. By the 12th week of pregnancy the foetus is fully formed and measures no more than 2cms! Morning sickness continues to linger, sometimes at its worst, and headaches and dizziness are common. Take it easy and do not resist attempts by your body to demand rest and sleep. One of the biggest emotional challenges at this point is deciding when and how to fully announce the news to everyone, particularly if the pregnancy is unplanned. Some woman breeze through this stage of pregnancy and only truly feel like a mum-to-be when the 'bump' becomes obvious. But be sure to conduct a full ante-natal test. Your GP will want to know your health history and test your blood. It is important that you co-operate and take their advice on classes, maternity groups and pregnancy literature. Most importantly, they will work out your anticipated due date - though many babies choose to arrive earlier or sometimes later than planned!
The Spine
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