The
first trimester of pregnancy is
the first twelve weeks. For at
least the first month of this
trimester you may not even
realize that you are pregnant
until you miss your first
period. It is then you realize
that there have been signs and
symptoms that would have alerted
you to the fact earlier ?such as
feeling tired, having to go to
the bathroom more often, and
having sore and swollen breasts.
Many women report that they have
more headaches than usual and
have been looking for reasons
for this experience without
realizing that they are going to
have a baby.
This
is an exciting time for most
couples when they learn that
they will be starting a family.
There will also be some fears as
well wondering what to expect
during the coming months and in
worrying about whether or not
the baby will have medical
problems. The first trimester is
the most dangerous part of being
pregnant as well with the
increased risk of miscarriage at
this early stage. Many couples
put off announcing the pregnancy
until they are well into or past
this stage when they feel more
confident that nothing will
happen.
Sexual
activity usually decreases
during the first two or three
months. This is because women
who are in the early stages of
pregnancy are not feeling their
best, especially if they have
morning sickness or are feeling
excessively tired. Emotions also
change during this time and you
will find yourself more
irritated than usual and you
will likely cry over the least
little thing. This often causes
a strain in relationships as the
father finds it difficult to
deal with both joy and sadness
at the same time.
The
fetus, during the first
trimester, is basically a clump
of cells. Gradually the features
of a baby will start to develop.
The first ultrasound doesn’t
usually occur until the second
trimester and even then it
doesn’t really resemble a
human baby. In the first month,
the fetus attached itself to the
wall of the uterus as it begins
its nine months of development.
On the 25th day of the
pregnancy, there will be a
heartbeat, although it will be
inaudible, even with a
stethoscope. The buds for the
arms and legs appear in the
following days and by the end of
the first month, the digestive
system will start to develop.
The
baby’s face starts to form in
the second month and although
there is a semblance of ears,
they are covered by a very thin
membrane. The spine starts to
develop, as do all the vital
organs of the body. The arms and
legs become visible and start to
grow. If you were to have an
ultrasound in the third month,
you would be able to see some of
the facial features of the baby.
It starts to move its head and
develops a sucking motion. By
now all the internal organs are
in place, but they are not
developed. The baby cal swallow
and does swallow some of the
amniotic fluid that surrounds
it. The placenta is fully
developed at this point.
By the end of your first
trimester, the baby weighs about
one ounce and is about three
inches in length. Although you
won’t be noticeably pregnant,
you will have a slight mound in
your belly.
Source:
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