InthisarticleFirstTrimesterSecondTrimesterComplaintsThirdTrimesterComplaintsFirstTrimesterNausea,QueasinessandVomitting:Thiscanoccuroffandonatanytimeofthedayornight(notjustinthemorning),generallyupto14-16weeks.Thisisduetochanginghormonesandhypoglycemia.SwollenandTenderBreasts:Thesearesignsthatindicatethathormonechangesaretakingplaceandpreparingthewomanformotherhood.IncreasedFatigue:ThisisaresultofthetrememdousamountofenergyusedbythebodyfortheformationofbabyinthewombFrequentUrination:Thisoccursbecausetheweightofthegrowinguteruspressesonthepartiallyfullbladder.Aversionandcravings:Youarelikelytohaveaversionstooilyfoodsandcravingsforcitrus,saltyandstarchyfoodsbecausethesehelpinquellingsickness.IncreasedVaginalDischarge:Thereisgenerallynoassociatedcomplaintwiththisdischarge.Sometimesdischargecouldbesignificantenoughtowarrantapantyliner.DarkeningofSkin:Theskinaroundthenipplesgetsdarker,andathindarklineappearsontheabdomen,fromthepelvisuptoandbeyondtheumbilicus.LossofWeight:Youmayevenloseweightinthefirsttrimesterbecauseofmorningsickness.SecondTrimesterComplaintsOverallHealthyFeeling:Discomfortsofsicknessdisappearinthesecondtrimesterandyouwillfeelaburstofenergy.ThickeningWaistline:Asyoustartgainingbodyweight,yourabdomenwillbecomeroundandfirm.IncreaseinHeartburns:Astheuterusgrows,itdisplacesandpressesthestomachcontainingincreasedacidsecretions,andtherebycausesheartburns.Constipation(orevenHaemorrhoids):Astheuteruspressesontheintestines,itslowsthemovementsoffoodsandcausesconstipation.Constipationalsoisaggravatedbytheintakeofironandironsupplements.StretchMarks:Stretchmarksmaybegintoappearonyourbreasts,hipsandabdomenasaresultofskinexpansionovertheseareas.Itching:Itchingisaresultofhealingcrackedskin(causedfromstretching).Excessiveitchingresultsinmarks.FetalMovements:Movements(quickening)ofbabycanbefeltliketinythumpsorbubbles.Thesemovementsarefirstfeltat20weeks.PregnancyBulge:Yourstomachwillstartshowingbetween26and28weeks.Thisisthetimetostartwearingloosematernityclothing.ThirdTrimesterComplaintsBackaches:Theenlargeduterusinthefrontcausesastrainonthemusclesandligamentssupportingtheback.Thisresultsinbackaches.LegCramps:Alsocallednightcrampsofpregnancy,thesecrampsarearesultofvenouscongestion.FrequentUrination:Urinationisfrequentbecauseofthegrowinguterusandthepressingofpresentingpart(headorbreech)ofthebabyontheurinarytract.ShortnessofBreath:Thisisduetoanoverloadoncirculation.Thereisalsolessspaceforlungexpansionbecauseoftheuteruspressingonthediaphragm.FetalMovements:Babymovements,feltaskicks,becomemoreprominentduetoincreasedweightandlargersizeofthebaby.DifficultyinSleeping:Thecausesofsleepingdifficultiesarebabymovements,frequenturination,anddiscomfortfromweightgain.
First Trimester
Nausea, Queasiness and Vomitting:
This can occur off and on at any time of the day or night (not just in the morning),generally upto 14-16 weeks. This is due to changing hormones and hypoglycemia.
Swollen and Tender Breasts:
These are signs that indicate that hormone changes are taking place and preparing the woman for motherhood.
Increased Fatigue:
This is a result of the trememdous amount of energy used by the body for the formation of baby in the womb
Frequent Urination:
This occurs because the weight of the growing uterus presses on the partially full bladder.
Aversion and cravings:
You are likely to have aversions to oily foods and cravings for citrus, salty and starchy foods because these help in quelling sickness.
Increased Vaginal Discharge:
There is generally no associated complaint with this discharge. Sometimes discharge could be significant enough to warrant a panty liner.
Darkening of Skin:
The skin around the nipples gets darker, and a thin dark line appears on the abdomen, from the pelvis upto and beyond the umbilicus.
Loss of Weight:
You may even lose weight in the first trimester because of morning sickness.
Second Trimester Complaints
Overall Healthy Feeling:
Discomforts of sickness disappear in the second trimester and you will feel a burst of energy.
Thickening Waistline:
As you start gaining body weight, your abdomen will become round and firm.
Increase in Heartburns:
As the uterus grows, it displaces and presses the stomach containing increased acid secretions, and thereby causes heartburns.
Constipation (or even Haemorrhoids):
As the uterus presses on the intestines, it slows the movements of foods and causes constipation. Constipation also is aggravated by the intake of iron and iron supplements.
Stretch Marks:
Stretch marks may begin to appear on your breasts, hips and abdomen as a result of skin expansion over these areas.
Itching:
Itching is a result of healing cracked skin (caused from stretching). Excessive itching results in marks.
Fetal Movements:
Movements (quickening) of baby can be felt like tiny thumps or bubbles. These movements are first felt at 20 weeks.
Pregnancy Bulge:
Your stomach will start showing between 26 and 28 weeks. This is the time to start wearing loose maternity clothing.
Third Trimester Complaints
Backaches:
The enlarged uterus in the front causes a strain on the muscles and ligaments supporting the back. This results in backaches.
Leg Cramps:
Also called night cramps of pregnancy, these cramps are a result of venous congestion.
Frequent Urination:
Urination is frequent because of the growing uterus and the pressing of presenting part (head or breech) of the baby on the urinary tract.
Shortness of Breath:
This is due to an overload on circulation. There is also less space for lung expansion because of the uterus pressing on the diaphragm.
Fetal Movements:
Baby movements, felt as kicks, become more prominent due to increased weight and larger size of the baby.
Difficulty in Sleeping:
The causes of sleeping difficulties are baby movements, frequent urination, and discomfort from weight gain.
