Body changes during pregnancy week by week
Getting pregnant is the most important phase and the beautiful feeling in a women’s life.
So we should know all knowledge about pregnancy Because during pregnancy women’s body starting to get change.
In this article, we will discuss all body changes during pregnancy week by week.
Pregnancy
Getting pregnant is most women’s desire but pregnancy is the period of remarkable physical growth and adaptation of the mother to the need of the developing fetus. Along with the growth of the baby the mother’s body also undergoes high physical changes. The pregnancy period is dated from the last day of the menstrual period, even though ovulation and conception occur approximately two weeks later. Pregnancy lasts for 280 days or about nine and one-third months of 10 lunar months of four weeks each.
During pregnancy a women’s body makes tremendous physical demand, in response her body changes dramatically to meet the increasing needs to develop the fetus over a short period of nine months.
SOME OF THE PHYSICAL CHANGES THAT occur IN A FEMALE BODY DURING PREGNANCY:
Uterus changes during pregnancy:
- In the non-pregnant state, the uterus is an almost solid structure with a cavity of 10 ml or less but during pregnancy, it holds 5-10 liters and weighs about 2.1 pounds. So this drastic change in the uterus causes some problems to the mother’s other body parts.
- At 12 weeks of pregnancy, s the uterus grows it touches the anterior abdominal wall displacing the intestine to the side and upward. At times, it reaches almost the liver.
- With the increase in size and weight, pressure is formed on the broad ligaments which suspend the uterus and tubes in the abdomen and as a result, it may cause intermittent pelvic pain.
- Pressure formed in the diaphragm mostly during exercise can cause shortness of breath.
- Whenever the mother is lying on her back the uterus rests against the spine, compressing the aorta and vena cava. Pressure on the superior vena cava blocks the venous blood flow from the legs back to the heart, which in turn causes Edema.
- From the first trimester the uterus has spontaneous irregular contractions normally painless. In early pregnancy these cramps may feel like menstrual cramps but as the uterus enlarges the cramps gets stronger. Sometimes they can cause some discomfort in late pregnancy and account for so-called “false labor”.
Cervix changes during pregnancy:
- Almost one month after conception, softening and cyanosis of the cervix occurs. These are the first two signs of pregnancy.
- After conception a clot of thick cervical mucus blocks the cervical canal and this cervical mucus plug expelled on the onset of labor.
Vagina changes during pregnancy:
- Blood flow increases in the vagina and in turn increases the vaginal secretions.
- Quality and quantity of vaginal discharge may also change.
Blood:
- Maternal blood increases during pregnancy about 40-50% above pre-pregnancy level. volume of blood increases about 1.5 liters accounts for approximately 3 pounds of body weight gain.
- This increase in blood meets the needs the enlarged uterus and also protects the mother from complication of blood loss during delivery, which is on an average of 500 ml of blood.
- The blood flow begins to increase in the first trimester and often produces cardiac flow murmur in the mother.
- Increased blood flow decreases the haemoglobin level from 13.3 to 12.1.
Breast changes during pregnancy:
- Breast tenderness is felt in the early weeks of pregnancy.
- From the second month breast size starts growing, nipples enlarges and becomes darker.
- Breast may secrete a small amount of colostrum which is a yellowish fluid.
- The increased breast contributes about 2 pounds to the pregnancy weight gain.
Changes in Skin during pregnancy:
- In the second and third trimester sightly reddish depressed streaks are seen in the skin of abdomen,breast and thighs. They occur in maximum pregnancies and almost unpreventable. And after pregnancy they remain as silvery lines.
- Unable of withstanding the pressure of the enlarging uterus the Rectus muscles sometimes separate in mid lines as a result the uterus is no longer covered at the mid line by abdominal musculature.
- In most of the women the midline of abdomen darkens to form he linea nigra and also irregular brownish patches may appear in the armpits, face and neck and they regress after delivery.
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Amniotic Fluid:
- Amniotic fluid is a clear liquid which gather around the fetus, on an average of 1000 ml of amniotic fluid is found. This amniotic fluid contributes two pounds to the maternal weight gain.
- This amniotic fluid provides a medium in which the fetus can move and this provides a cushion against injury.
- This fluid comprises the bag of waters which ruptures when delivery time approaches.
Foetus:
- Six weeks that is one month and two weeks after the last menstrual period he embryo is about ½ cm in length. Arm and leg buds appears heart and brain are formed.
- By 10th week the embryo is 4 cm long and most body parts are formed.
- An average infant weights about 3000-3500 gms depending upon race , size of parents, nutritional intake during pregnancy.
Various other different types of changes seen in pregnancy are:
- Pregnant women can notice a slight deterioration in their vision. But this should not be confused with more serious visual problems. The problems may persist after pregnancy.
- Due to high level of estrogen in blood nasal stuffness congestion and nose bleeds can be noticed.
The above mentioned physical changes seen during pregnancy can be numerous and complex but necessary.
To know about diet for pregnant women click.
To know about common problems during pregnancy click.
To know about fitness diet check.
To know about diet recipes to maintain a fit body check.
