Pregnancy is a massive milestone in anyone’s life. For some, it is something that they have giddily been waiting and hoping for. For others, it is something they want but are either unsure or unknowledgeable about. Some still cannot imagine a worst-casescenario. Regardless of where you fall in this spectrum, it is important to know what to expect so that you can understand your body and its needs.
What If You Don’t Want to Be Pregnant?
Visiting a pregnancy termination clinic is the best option when you either aren’t sure if you want to be pregnant or if you are already 100% certain that termination is the best option for you. The healthcare experts there will help you understand your health, what will happen, and will be there to provide safe abortion. Having all of the information, and knowing all of your options and what they will mean for you and your health, is important when it comes to making such a big healthcare decision. It doesn’t matter if you don’t change your mind, either. Having all the information and still being set on this option just means it was, and still is, the best decision for your body.
If you decide to continue with the pregnancy, this is what you should expect:
How Your Body Will Change
There are a variety of changes that your body will go through during pregnancy, from your hormones, to your ligaments, to your breasts, to your senses, cervix, hair, skin, nails, circulation, respiration, body temperature, and more. The process of growing another human being takes its toll, and understanding exactly how your body should be changing is an important step to understanding when something has gone wrong.
The changes in question can be tracked along a timeline, and asking your doctor and reading up what body changes to expect can help you understand the development process, what might be coming next, and, most importantly, what needs emergency medical attention.
Your Pregnancy Timeline
Though every woman’s pregnancy is different (even if you have been pregnant before), the general pregnancy timeline includes:
1st Trimester, Conception to Week 12
This is one of the most tiring periods of pregnancy, as your body kicks into overdrive. You may experience fatigue, tender breasts, nausea (morning sickness), cravings, mood swings, constipation, headaches, heartburn, weight gain (or loss), and even constipation. By the end of the first trimester, the baby will have nerves and muscles, external sex organs begin to develop, eyelids close, all major organs have begun to develop, and their heart has started to beat.
2nd Trimester, Week 13 to Week 27
Women tend to become less fatigued and less nauseous by the time the second trimester comes around. The baby bump will start to really grow during this period, and you will even start to feel your baby move. You will likely experience aches and pains, see stretch marks, darkening of the skin around your nipples, and experience carpal tunnel syndrome, itching, and swelling. During this trimester, the fetus’ musculoskeletal system forms, skin forms, and it grows.
3rd Trimester, Week 28 to Birth
During this trimester, swelling becomes more prominent, you may experience hemorrhoids, tenderness in your breasts, and the baby will begin to “drop.” This may result in false labor pains before labor actually begins. By the end of this trimester, your fetus will be fully developed into a baby, and at the end, you will give birth.
