Trimesters of Pregnancy: Effects on Mother and Baby's Growth
...l normal; however, do not affect every mother-to-be. During the first trimester, the child is growing from a simple sperm and egg to about a three inch baby. Heart tubes begin to form and pulsate to circulate blood. The nervous system, kidneys, liver, lungs, and intestinal tract begin to develop. Bone and muscle begin to show helping the baby to look more like a human being. The forehead is very prominent at this time also because the brain is developing so quickly and outweighs much of the body. The sex organs begin to develop with the male organs showing more development and females looking more neutral. By the end of the first trimester the child also has buds of his/her teeth, stomach fluids and vocal cords. The digestive system is therefore working and the kidneys are secreting urine into the bladder and the liver is making bile. The child can also have spontaneous arm, leg, shoulders, and finger movement; however it is rare to feel this. The second semester for the mother is less painful than the first. This period will last from about three and a half months until about the seventh month. The tiredness and nausea should be mostly gone by this time or at least less intense because your body is more used to the increase in hormones. Mothers usually have more energy but sometimes to the point of not being able to sleep. Exercise, limiting naps, and patterns can assist the mother to succeed in sleeping. The frequent urination should no longer be an issue because as the uterus grows, it will come out of the pelvic cavity and therefore release the pressure that has been on the bladder. The most prominent change during this period is the size of the stomach. The woman’s belly grows and she should gain some weight. The pregnancy will usually now be visible because the uterus is now the height of the belly button. Because of this increase in size the woman may experience stretch marks and itching from the stretching skin. Because of the increasing weight, some women experience back and abdominal pain. Resting and applying heat can alleviate some symptoms. Women may have some shortness of breath because of pressure being put on the lungs from the increase in the uterus size. Nosebleeds, gum bleeds, and vaginal discharge also can appear during this trimester. Another significant occurrence is the beginning of baby movement the mother can feel. Kicks and movements are normally present. During the second trimester, the baby’s lower body growth begins to accelerate to catch up to the size of the head. In the first trimester the size of the head is approximately one-fourth of the body size, while by the end of the second trimester the head is only one-fourth of the body size. The back of the baby begins to straighten also. Hands and feet are well formed by this time and the hands are able to close into a fist. The baby’s skin will be darker due to blood showing through the thin skin which has no fat. Sweat and sebaceous glands form and are able to function. Hair and fingernails and toenails appear. Eyelids also reopen and eyes are completely formed by this time. More taste buds appear on the tongue and in the mouth than infants and adults carry. By the end of this trimester, the baby now weights about one pound and is about one foot long. The third trimester begins at the seventh month and lasts until birth. Unfortunately, this is usually another uncomfortable time for the mother. Because the baby is continuing to grow, the uterus is applying more pressure on organs and it may be even harder to breathe, heartburn can exist, and frequent urination is needed again. Mothers may feel warmer than usual because the baby radiates...