Upon gaining pregnancy your belly grows up and the nesting instincts start to take hold. Some of these pregnancy facts may even surprise you. Yes, you will have alterations throughout pregnancy. In some cases the change might seem impossible to realize. In some situations, change has a significant impact on your daily life. Despite it, pregnancy is an incredible time for women! We have gathered the facts about pregnancy which make it an absolute wonder and an absolute delight.
Also interesting for non pregnant woman who want to know more about this special time! Pregnancy is a beautiful process that comes with a lot of changes, both physical and emotional. The journey to motherhood is an amazing one, full of new experiences and challenges.
Pregnancy is divided in trimesters. The first trimester is from the week one to the end of the 12th week. The second trimester is from the 13th to the 26th week. The third trimester is from the 27th week until giving birth.
Early pregnancy
Fact about early pregnancy is that, somewhere between the 10th and 14th day after fertilization, the blastocyst implants in the lining of the uterus. During the second week of development, a process called gastrulation begins. This is when the three germ layers of the embryo form.
By implantation, pregnancy technically begins. Although most women don’t even know they are pregnant until after the fourth week. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is called “morning sickness”, but it can occur at any time of day.
A pregnant body is going through a lot of changes and is working hard to accommodate a growing baby. The average pregnancy is 40 weeks long, but only about 3% of babies are born on their “due date”.
Certain genes mean you can’t get pregnant
The couple has been infertile for over a year, but they’ve had no babies in ten days. Genetically, however, some families will never give birth. Several women with Turner’s syndrome suffered. This means there is only one chromosome in her genome instead of two. A common cause for a male’s fertility is mutations in the CFTR genes, which causes congenital bilateral absence of the vascular deferens (CBAVDS). The result is that it is impossible for sperm to leave the testicle alone and is also incredibly helpful when treatment is available for men to parent.
Blood can also be dangerous to a baby
Pregnancy test results may be taken during pregnancy. It’s important for us to know the difference between “Rhesus positivity and Rhhesus negative.” Some women have an antigen on their skin that could cause pregnancy complications if the test fails. Often a female has children with a male with positive blood even if it’s not positive. In these circumstances, the woman develops antibodies against “Rheus” antigen. It is usually nothing to worry about when the baby is pregnant, but it can cause trouble later on.
Parts of you may change colour
As the fetus changes, the stretch markings may be darker than usual. Occasionally men develop melasma, causing dark spots on faces. The lines in the abdomen called the linia nigrea also get darker. Its vagina also changes color. A female woman reported that she turned purpleish with the Chadwick sign. Some 10 per cent of women have blue coloured varicosities down here but these are usually gone within several weeks after delivery.
Your voice can change during pregnancy
With hormonal movements happening during pregnancy it shouldn’t surprise anyone – it is. Another means that voices change themselves if needed. The rise of estrogen and prostaglene may cause vocal swelling, causing lower notes to appear.
Your sense of smell can change
Pregnant women generally experience more odour in the first trimesters — indicating they are expecting. Having pregnancy prevention tools may also improve the chances of preventing ill-fated pregnancy outcomes.
And the shortest was 21 weeks four days
In the earliest days premature babies had lived at a young age from 0 to a week. The child began preschool last summer and had no serious illnesses or disabilities due to being born prematurely.
Within the first pregnancy days, some babies develop a “caul,” which is the fetal membrane that can cover the head and face. This is more common in premature births.
The longest pregnancy
The longest recorded pregnancy was 375 days. The woman, Beulah Hunter, gave birth to a baby girl named Penny Diana Hunter in 1945.
Pregnancy can make you feel more emotions
During pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone rise. Research suggests that this uptick might lead to more intense emotions and also make it harder to regulate them. So if you’re feeling extra weepy or are having a hard time getting your anger under control, it could be due to pregnancy hormones.
Your partner may experience some of the same symptoms
This syndrome is called “couvadé syndrome” — or sympathetic pregnancy. Nevertheless, men have reported nausea, heartaches, abdomen backaches, depression, backaches, and other pregnancy symptoms.
Pregnancy can be different for each woman
Even with the same mother and father, siblings can have completely different experiences during pregnancy. One might be born early while the other arrives on time or even late. Similarly, one child might gain more weight than the other or have a different hair color. So if you’re pregnant, don’t worry if you don’t have the same pregnancy symptoms as your friend or family member.
Everyone’s experience is unique
Pregnancy can be a fun and exciting time for expectant mothers. It can also be a time filled with new challenges and changes. But rest assured, every woman’s pregnancy is different and there is no one “right” way to do things. So enjoy the ride and congratulations on your new arrival!
There are a few things that all pregnant women have in common, however.
Heartburn really could mean a baby with more hair
One little study found that it is possible that two tales are true. High doses of oestrogen or progesterone stimulate hair growth or oesophageal relaxe causing acids or heartburn. So if you are experiencing pregnancy heartburn, your little one could be born with a full head of hair.
The uterus gets a lot bigger
In women before pregnancy, uteruses are usually orange-sized. By 3rd trimester it is about as big as a watermelon. It is also 500 times larger during a pregnancy.
Your nipples will darken and get larger
The areola, which is the dark area around the nipple, will also get larger and darker during pregnancy. This happens as the body prepares for breastfeeding. Nipple stimulation also causes the release of oxytocin, which is a hormone that helps to induce labor.
Your joints loosen during pregnancy
In pregnancy the hormone relaxin is produced, which softens the ligaments — which connect your bones. It helps improve pelvic flexibility after the birth. The downside is that it can cause pain in the lower back, knees and hips. The best way to combat this is through regular exercise and physiotherapy.
Pregnancy can make you moody
The hormonal changes of pregnancy often lead to strong emotions and crying. You may feel elated one minute and depressed the next. These mood swings should settle down after the first trimester but if they don’t, speak to your doctor or midwife.
You will probably need to wee more often
As the baby grows, it presses on your bladder — especially in the last few months. This can cause you to wake up several times during the night to go to the toilet. Many pregnant women also leak a little urine when they laugh, cough or sneeze. Doing pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the muscles around your bladder and reduce the risk of leaks.
You will probably put on weight
The average weight gain during pregnancy is between 10 and 12 kg but it varies from woman to woman. If you are overweight or obese, you may be advised to gain less. If you are underweight, you may need to gain more. Most women start to feel pregnant when they have gained 5-7 kg.
Intense dreams are common during pregnancy
pregnancy dreams are more likely to be vivid, strange, or even nightmares. The most frequent dream symbols are of animals, such as snakes or spiders. Dreams about childbirth are also common. Women experience an increased need for sleep during pregnancy and often have trouble sleeping through the night.
Amniotic fluid
The fluid that surrounds and protects your baby in the womb is called amniotic fluid. It’s mostly water with some electrolytes, proteins, sugars and lipids. If you were to drink it, it would taste sweet — like saccharin.
Pregnant women should sleep on their left side
Sleeping on your left side will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby. It can also help decrease the risk of stillbirth. This is because it helps improve circulation to the heart.
Pregnant woman’s blood volume increases by 50%
The average pregnant woman has about 50% more blood in her body than she did before she was pregnant. This extra blood helps to support the growing baby and the placenta.
Extra blood circulating around your body can make your skin appear flushed and give you a rosy glow. It can also cause your blood pressure to drop, which can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Pregnant women may have a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers. It is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome due to the increased levels of hormones in their bodies.
You will probably have to go to the bathroom more often
Frequent urination is normal in a healthy pregnancy. The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, causing you to feel the need to urinate more often. This usually subsides after the first trimester.
Women report increased levels of energy and well-being in the second trimester
The second trimester is often referred to as the “honeymoon period” of pregnancy. This is because many women report feeling more energetic and well-being during this time. The increased levels of hormones, such as progesterone, are thought to be responsible for this boost in energy and mood.
Stretch marks are common during pregnancy
Stretch marks usually occur in the last trimester when the skin is stretched to its limit. They are more common in women who are pregnant with twins or triplets. The human body is able to stretch a lot, but it is not unlimited.
Stretch marks are a type of scar that forms when the skin is stretched or torn. They are commonly found on the abdomen, breasts, thighs, hips and buttocks. Stretch marks are usually red or purple in color during pregnancy but will eventually fade to a white or silver color.
Pregnant women should avoid hot tubs
Hot tubs can cause a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness, nausea, and fainting. They can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Pregnancy brain might be a real thing
Accordingly, the study indicates that around 88% are suffering from memory impairments. The reason is not clear. Late night sleep and exhaustedness. However, some studies suggest that the cloudy thinking could be an evolutionary adaptation to protect pregnant women from stress.
Pregnancy can be a time of many changes, both physical and mental. From fatigue and morning sickness to mood swings and food cravings, a normal pregnancy can be quite the roller coaster ride. While some of these changes are welcomed, others can be quite frustrating.
Some pregnant women develop diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas cannot provide enough insulin. They often disappear during pregnancy.
Given all the changes that happen during pregnancy, it’s no wonder that many women feel like they’re in a constant state of flux. Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your fourth, you are likely to experience some surprises along the way. But don’t worry, every change is a normal part of the process.
When the baby is born
When the baby is born, the placenta and umbilical cord are also delivered. The placenta is a flat, circular organ that attaches the baby to the uterine wall. It provides the baby with oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical cord.
After delivery, the placenta is no longer needed and is expelled from the body. This is called the afterbirth.
The umbilical cord is a thin, flexible tube that carries oxygen and nutrients from the placenta to the baby. It is about 22-24 inches long and has three blood vessels: two arteries and one vein.
After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and the stump falls off on its own within a week or two.
After birth, the babies cry and breathe on their own. Most babies are born healthy and without any problems. However, some babies may need help to breath or may have other health problems.
If you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s health, please contact your doctor. Women who have babies born with health problems may feel guilty or like they have done something wrong. It is important to remember that these things are out of your control and that you are not responsible.