In: Nursing
Pregnancy is also known as gestation period in which the fetus develops inside a womans womb or uterus.Full term pregnancy last for 40 weeks or over 9 months from the start of the last menstrual period.It occurs when the egg is fertilised by sperm after its releasd from the ovary during the ovulation.And the ferttilised egg travels down in to uterus there implantation occurs.This implantation results in pregnancy and this procedure take place by the bilogical changes during pregnancy.Health care providers refers to three segments of pregnancy called as trimesters.
The trimesters are first trimesters,second trimesters,third trimesters.Each trimesters last between 12 and 14 weeks and these trimesters cause specific hormonal and physiological changes.
FIRST TRIMESTER
Pregnancy begins with the first day of last normal menstruation and it takes up to 12week.The time period of first trimester is week1 to week 12 Pregnancy starts with conception in which the sperm penetrates an egg.And this fertilised egg which is passed through the fallopian tube to the uterus where the egg implants in uterine wall. The uterus start to support the growth of placenta and the fetus and the placenta adds to its blood supply to carry the oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus and heart rate increase. In the first trimester the ris of miscarriage can be significant.Common symptoms of pregnancy are headache,vomiting,fatigue,constipation.The progesterone level and estrogen increases and this boost is to prepare the uterine lining for the egg implantationThe new hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin begins to produced.Estogen is required for the improvement of blood flow which is important for nourishing the baby.
SECOND TRIMESTER
Second trimester begins with week 13 to week 28 and it is the most comfortable period for pregnant ladies.The symptoms of the pregnancy is gradually decrease.The uterus will start to grow rapidly in size and the umbilical cord continues to thicken as the it carries nourishment to the fetusThe major organs hve formed in the fetus the following six months will be spent growing.By the end of second trimester the fetus wlli develop 13 to 16 inches and the following development includes the fetus moves from side to side, the eyes can be gradually move from front of the face,the fetus can hear mothers voice ,the placenta is well developed,fat begin to form on the head of the fetus. The creamy white substance begins to apper on the fetus and helps to protect the thin fetal skin. Leg cramps,back pain and heart burn are the common complaints can be see during this trimester.Physical changes can experience by this time and they are growing belly and breasts.The breasts are gradually grow in size,and the uterus enlarge to make space for the baby as the belly grows.There is a decrease in the level of human chorionic gonatropin(hCG) and adjustment to the level of estrogen and progesterone hormone.The increase in estrogen level play a major role in milk duct development that enlarges the breasts.
THIRD TRIMESTER
Third trimester begins from 28 th week until the birth of baby and it means week 29 to week 40.In between the weeks, bones become soft and almost fully formed and the eyes can open and close.The fetus continues to grow in size and weight.The lungs are still maturing and the fetus develop about 19 to 21 inches and weighs increase about 6 to 9 pounds. The fetus can see and hear,the brain continues to develop,kidneys and lungs continue to mature. The estrogen levels are higher and pea around 32 weeks and that enables the uterus and placenta to improve vascularisation,transfer nutrients and support the developing baby and gradual decrease in hCG.In this period,women is get ready for the birth of baby and body and the fetus continue to grow and change.