Maternal Changes

On Your Road To Motherhood
It very easy to paint a picture of a woman with a child in her womb, but in reality it is much more than that. A mother goes through immense physical and the mental changes during the nine months of pregnancy. All the ups and downs that you may face on your road to motherhood are listed below so that you traverse this path smoothly and safely.

MATERNAL CHANGES…
First Month

• You have missed your periods.
• You may feel nauseated anytime of the day.
• You may feel fatigued and tired very easily unlike earlier.
• The placenta is forming and making hormones that prepare you for pregnancy.
• Breast may feel tender.
• Your uterus (womb) is growing larger but you can not feel it now.
• And you may have not gained weight or changed body size

Second Month

• You may feel more tired and less energetic.
• You may become sens0itive to certain smells and food items, which may make you nauseous and you may vomit.
• Your breast may become extra sensitive and you may feel certain amount of throbbing or tingling sensation.
• You may feel hungry and your calorie intake will increase.

Third Month

• You will probably start gaining weight around waist. Weight gain is normal in pregnancy and should not be discouraged.
• You may suffer from bouts of indigestion and flatulence as hormones have reached their maximum.
• You may suffer from bouts of indigestion and flatulence as hormones have reached their maximum.

Fourth Month

• Your skin may undergo some changes. You may also begin to see blotch skin on your face.
• You will get tired more often, so try to take more rest.
• You may have constipation problem, which is due to pressure of the growing uterus on the intestines.
• You may feel like bubbles or butterflies fluttering in your belly that are actually the movements of your baby.

Fifth Month

• You will gain about 0.5 kg a week or a total of 1.5 to 2 kg.
• The uterus enlarges with your growing baby and may put pressure on the lower bowel causing bowel irregularity.
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods. Elevate your legs and move around frequently.
• You may feel baby kicking high in your abdomen or lower near your bladder.
• Avoid sudden movements and twists.

Sixth Month

• The urge to urinate frequently may decrease as the uterus rises and takes pressure off the bladder.
• Stretch marks or dark streaks may begin to appear on your abdomen, breasts or thighs which will slowly fade away after delivery though they may not completely disappear.
• Your appetite will be good and nausea will be rare although there may be some heart burn.
• You will continue to gain 1.5 to 2 kg a month.
• If you have four or more contractions in one hour then call your gynaecologist.

Seventh Month

• You gain weight faster because the baby’s greatest growth period has begun now.
• Your uterus will be moving closer to your rib cage and you will feel the baby kicking against your ribs.
• Do not get up fast as you may feel light headed (giddy).
• You may notice swelling on your feet, hands or face.
• You may experience some discomfort during bowel movements.
• Haemorrhoids (swelling of the blood vessels in the rectum) may develop or may worsen during the pregnancy.
• You will again start feeling fatigue and you should rest as often as possible.
• You may experience a range of emotions. Anxiety about labour, delivery and motherhood are common.

Eighth Month

• You will feel strain on your back muscles as the baby is almost grown now.
• You may sweat and begin to tire more easily and you may also feel shortness of breath.
• Try to rest in between your routine works. You may have trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position. Lying on your side with one leg crossed over the other should help you sleep better.
• You can feel parts of the baby through your abdomen.
• You may need to urinate more often as the baby’s head crowds your bladder and your vaginal secretions increase.

Ninth Month

• You will tire more easily and often feel drowsy. You will be tired of being pregnant and get ready for delivery.
• Your abdomen is getting bigger and it may look lopsided when the baby moves.
• Your uterus lowers as your baby drops toward the birth canal. As your baby has dropped you may again have the urge to urinate frequently but you may find breathing easier.
• You may see swelling on your hands and feet more often.
• You may feel pressure low in your pelvis as the baby settles into the position of birth.
• Braxton Hicks (false labour) contractions are more frequent now. If you have four or more contractions in one hour then call your gynaecologist.