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Moms and Moms-to-be

During pregnancy a woman may find her happiness mixed with worries about the process she is going through on the way to...

Baby Care

For the first six months after birth a baby feeds solely on milk. Suckling a baby is the very first experience in...

First-time Father

When your first child is born, your wife will be filled with anxiety about herself and about your baby...

Questions And Answers

During your pregnancy you'll find your mind filled with questions regarding your pregnancy and your baby...

Pregnancy

1st Month

Your Body

Development during pregnancy is usually expressed in weeks. From the first day of your last menstrual period prior to conception to the sixth day following that is considered to be "week 0"; from the 7th day is counted as week 1 and so on. For this reason, the time prior to conception is included in the week count.

For Your Information

Ovulation occurs about two weeks after a menstrual period. When the egg cell is fertilized during this stage and subsequently imbeds itself in the wall of the uterus, pregnancy is considered to have begun. There is no change in the size of the uterus at this time.

Your Baby

Continuous cell division of the fertilized egg takes place at a rapid rate, and at 8 weeks the embryo becomes a fetus.

2nd Month

Your Body

This is when many women "miss" their periods, and consequently realize that they are pregnant. Your basal temperature will be high for a while, and this can cause feverishness and weakness similar to those you experience when you have a cold. Due to changes in hormones, darkening of the areola and swelling of the breasts may also occur.

For Your Information

The uterus becomes larger and you will sometimes experience discomfort in the lower abdomen and back. Some mothers will start having morning sickness.

Your Baby

The fetus is now about 2 cm long, its heart has formed and a heartbeat can be confirmed.

3rd Month

Your Body

The uterus is now about the size of a clenched fist. The number of women suffering from morning sickness will increase and symptoms will be strongest at around 10th or 11th week, but most women will be over it by the 15th week or so.

For Your Information

Due to pressure on the bladder caused by the increasing size of the uterus, you will have to go to the bathroom more often. Your breasts and lower abdomen will become taut. Vaginal discharge will also increase. Up until this time, there is a greater risk of miscarriage, so strenuous sports or exercise should be avoided.

Your Baby

The fetus is now 8 cm long and weighs around 20 g. The head, body, arms and legs are beginning to form. Movement will begin after 8 weeks and at around 11 weeks the heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.

4th Month

Your Body

For most women, morning sickness will have subsided and appetite will be restored. The increased size of the abdomen will now start becoming noticeable externally and the enlarged uterus may cause pain or cramps in the upper leg joints.

For Your Information

After 14 weeks the placenta has almost completely formed and the possibility of miscarriage is greatly reduced.

Your Baby

The weight of the fetus is now about 100 g and it is about 15 cm long. The internal organs have begun to develop, and arms and legs have formed. Bone and muscle have begun to develop and the fetus can move around freely in the amniotic fluid. Brain development is rapid, with the cerebrum and cerebellum forming at this time.

5th Month

Your Body

A stage of stable pregnancy is entered. The baby starts taking nourishment and oxygen from the placenta via the umbilical cord. The uterus now protrudes as far as the navel making the pregnancy more conspicuous.

For Your Information

The breasts develop and grow larger. At about 18 weeks some mothers begin to feel fetal movement.

Your Baby

The baby is now about 25 cm long. Heart and lungs are working well and the baby's heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope. The shape of the ears, nose and mouth become defined and finger and toe nails and hair begin to grow.

6th Month

Your Body

Development of the fetus clearly protrudes forward and most mothers can feel the baby moving. During pregnancy, the amount of blood increases, and pressure on the heart and lungs by the enlarged uterus make you susceptible to heart palpitations (rapid heartbeats) and shortness of breath. As the abdomen is now a considerable weight, care must be taken to avoid backache.

For Your Information

Some expectant mothers experience a discharge of colostrum (yellowish pre-milk) from the breasts. This is about the right time to consider beginning nipple massage.

Your Baby

The baby is now about 30 cm long and weighs about 500 g. Eyebrows and eyelashes have developed and the baby can open its eyes.

7th Month

Your Body

Significant protrusion occurs as growth of the uterus proceeds as far as the region above the navel. Estrogenic hormone levels rise, and when tired, you can easily feel how taut the skin on you abdomen has become. The increased load on the lower and middle of the back causes pain. In addition, other problems begin to occur, such as constipation or hemorrhoids.

For Your Information

Fetal movement becomes stronger and more frequent. If you don't feel any movement at all for a full day, a visit to the doctor is advisable.

Your Baby

At 26 weeks the baby is around 35 cm and has reached around 800 g. Eyes and ears begin functioning and the baby starts becoming sensitive to light and sounds. The baby also becomes capable of fine movements such as changing its position and opening and clenching its hands.

8th Month

Your Body

This is when fetal movements are at the strongest during this period, even to the extent of causing discomfort or pain. At the same time, fat increases to protect the abdomen, which can easily lead to stretch marks.

For Your Information

Your arms and legs will often swells. If this is only a temporary occurrence, for example late in the day, this is natural. However, if the swelling persists throughout the day, it could be a sign of pregnancy toxicity (pre-eclampsia or eclampsia), so a visit to the doctor is strongly recommended.

Your Baby

At 30 weeks, the baby is about 40 cm long and weighs about 1,500 g and starts to take its final position in the uterus. The baby starts to create fatty tissue under the skin. At this time, you will already have to know the sex of the baby using ultrasound.

9th Month

Your Body

Now, as the base of the uterus extends down to the pit of the stomach, you may experience heartburn and indigestion. As the heart and lungs are also under pressure, breathlessness and palpitations (rapid heartbeats) are a frequent occurrence.

For Your Information

Incontinence and the need to urinate frequently are the result of the baby's head pressing on your bladder. It is a good idea to change your underwear frequently so as to avoid the risk of cystitis.

When walking, you might feel some pain in your upper leg joints and pubic bone. This is because the baby's head has now reached the pelvic bone-a proof that childbirth is drawing near.

Your Baby

At 34 weeks, the baby is about 45 cm long and weighs about 2,200 g.

The baby can now drink from the amniotic fluid and discharge urine.

The baby can also experience pleasure or displeasure in response to external influences.

10th Month

Your Body

The baby has moved down into the pelvis and abdominal expansion becomes very pronounced. Some women experience temporary navel protrusion during this period. Pain in the upper leg joints and pubic bone becomes more intense.

For Your Information

As childbirth approaches, the vagina and opening to the uterus relax and vaginal discharge increases. Several times a day the abdomen will feel tight and swollen and there will be some pain.

Some women begin to experience something similar to labor pains, known as prelabor labor.

Your Baby

At 39 weeks, baby's weight is around 3,000 g and length about 50 cm.

The muscles around the mouth have developed sufficiently to enable the baby to breastfeed. By this stage, the baby is ready to be born at any time.

1st Trimester

Upto 13 weeks

During this trimester, the body undergoes a lot of rapid changes with the growth of the amniotic sac which forms a protection over the fertilized egg, the placenta that provides nutrition to the baby and the umbilical cord which carries the nutrition to the fetus. While your stomach does not start showing this early into the pregnancy, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms. The duration for which these symptoms are experienced may vary from person to person.
A surge in the hormones in the body can cause mood swings, fatigue and morning sickness (nausea and vomiting). Though morning sickness subsides after the first trimester for most pregnant women, some women are known to experience morning sickness throughout their pregnancy. Despite the name, morning sickness can be experienced at any time of the day and sometimes multiple times during a day. You may also experience tenderness in the breast with the areolas becoming enlarged and darkened and being covered with small, white bumps. Some women also experience constipation, heartburn and indigestion and an increased urge to urinate. There is not much of a weight gain during the first trimester.

2nd Trimester

13-28 weeks

For most pregnant women, this is the golden period of their pregnancy. Your baby bump will start to show through your dress, the morning sickness of the first trimester will start to fade and your energy levels will start to pick up. As your uterus expands during the pregnancy, it puts the muscles and ligaments of your lower belly under pressure and you may experience minor cramps. You may also experience backache due to the weight gained during the pregnancy. Due to hormonal fluctuations, your facial skin may develop dark patches and your abdomen may see a dark line known as linea nigra. As the skin and the muscles get stretched, you may develop stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs buttocks and breasts. It is important to take care of your dental health during pregnancy as you may have sore and bleeding gums and cavities due to a loss of teeth enamel. Some women also experience leg cramps and urinary tract infections (UTI) during this period. Due to low blood pressure, you may experience dizziness so you should avoid standing for long periods and lifting heavy loads.

3rd Trimester

29-40 weeks

The third trimester marks the final weeks of your pregnancy. As your baby grows, develops, and starts to change position, your uterus expands accordingly. You may be more prone to backaches, urinary incontinence, swollen ankles, varicose veins and hemorrhoids as well as shortness of breath, particularly when you lie down. Sleeping sideways with the pillow between your knees can help you to sleep better at this time. Your breasts will be enlarged and you may experience the discharge of colostrum, the same substance that will nourish your baby in the first few days after delivery. You are also likely to feel more clumsy and fatigued in the final stretch of pregnancy. Sciatica or a shooting nerve pain may be experienced from your lower back to your buttocks and down your leg during this trimester. You may also gain a lot of weight during this period and the weight will need to be monitored by your doctor.
Braxton Hicks contractions or ‘false labour’ may cause you to experience abdominal cramps but this is just the body preparing itself for delivery and does not mean you are going into labour. However, light bleeding towards the later half of the trimester could be an indication that you are going into labour.

Post Pregnacy

After birth (while still in hospital)

While the uterus (womb) will return to its normal size within about six weeks, the extra fat around your middle part of your body will not disappear as quickly or easily.
Your muscles and joints will still be recovering from the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth.
Lochia (postnatal vaginal bleeding) will be about the same as a normal menstrual flow for about one week.
Breast milk, colostrum, can be expected to flow within one to three days after childbirth.

Massage to maintain a beautiful silhouette

Your abdomen will grow bit-by-bit, a good sign that your baby is thriving inside. Massage your body as if you were talking to your baby.

Abdomen

Relax your abdomen and massage in a circular motion from your sides

Hips

Massage from the top of your thighs in an upward motion, as if lifting your buttocks.

Legs

Massage from your ankles to your thighs in an upward twisting motion. This is good for your circulation.