Body Changes In Pregnancy (Trimester Wise)

1^st  Trimester (First 12 Weeks)

• Missed Period (Amenorrhoea) : Healthy individuals having periously a normal period is most likely due to pregnancy (unless proven otherwise)
• Morning Sickness : It is present in 50% of pregnant females.

• – Starts soon after missed period
  – Rarely last beyond first trimester

• Increase Frequency of Micturition : Quite troublesome symptoms during 8th to 12th week pregnancy. After 12 weeks this symptom disappears.
• Breast Discomfort : It is in form of feeling of fullness and feeling of pricking sensation. It is evident as 6th to 8th week especially in first pregnancy.
• Fatique : It is a frequent symptom may occur early in pregnancy.

2^nd Trimester (13-28 Weeks)

• Amenorrhoea (missed periods) continues, while other symptom subside.
• A Feeling of life (Quickening) – It denotes the participation of active fetal movement by the women. It is usually felt about the 18^th week of pregnancy.
• Progressive enlargement of lower abdomen.
• Chloasma : It is pigmentation over the forehead & cheek. It appears at about 24^th week of pregnancy.
• Breast are more enlarged with increased prominent veins under the skin.
• Secondary Areola: Pigmentation increase around the areola.
• Colostrums (milk produced by mammary gland) become fluid and yellowish by 16^th week.
• Striae (both pink and white) of varying degree are visible in lower abdomen more towards flanks.
• Bluish dis colouration of the vulva, vagina and cervix occurs.

3^rd Trimester (29-40 Weeks)

• Amenorrhoea persists
• Enlargement of abdomen is progressive which may lead to discomfort of palpitation or breathelessness following exertion.

1. – Increased frequency of micturition reappears.
2. – Fetal movement are most pronounced
3. – Lightening : at about 38th week of pregnancy, a sense of relief of the pressure symptoms (like breathelessness, palpitation)