Pregnancy is the process of carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside a woman’s body. This can occur after sexual intercourse, when an egg is fertilized by sperm and then implants in the uterus (womb). It typically takes place over 38 weeks, from conception to childbirth. Pregnancy symptoms include morning sickness, cravings, back pain, fatigue, mood swings and more. If you think you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test to find out for sure.
There are three main stages of pregnancy: the first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. Each stage has its own specific symptoms and challenges.
The first trimester is the most crucial time in your baby’s development. This is when all of your baby’s major organs and systems develop. You may experience some or all of the following during this time: nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), breast tenderness, fatigue, increased urination frequency, food cravings or aversion to certain foods and mood swings. Some women also experience implantation bleeding around the time they would expect their period – though this is usually much lighter than a regular period and doesn’t last as long.
During the second trimester you will probably start to feel better as your pregnancy hormones level off and your energy levels increase again. Common second-trimester symptoms include: abdominal bloating; Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor pains); backaches; indigestion; leg cramps; constipation or diarrhea; headaches; heartburn; itchy skin on your abdomen (linea nigra), breasts or thighs due to stretching skin ;nasal congestion due to increasing blood volume; nosebleeds; shortness of breath due to added weight of baby & extra fluid in your system ; varicose veins (swollen veins that often appear on legs) . You may also feel fetal movement for the first time during this trimester – known as ‘quickening’ – which can be both exciting and daunting!
By contrast ,the third trimester can be both physically and emotionally challenging as you prepare for childbirth . As your baby grows bigger they will start putting pressure on your organs , which can cause indigestion , heartburn & shortness of breath . You may also experience more frequent trips to the toilet due to pressure on your bladder , plus swelling in your feet & hands & varicose veins may become more pronounced . Insomnia & anxiety are also common at this stage as you worry about everything from labour pains to how you will cope once baby arrives! However ,it’s important to remember that every pregnancy is different so while some women sail through all three trimesters without any problems others may find one or two more challenging than others