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 Pregnancy Overview
There are many different symptoms to look for to tell if you are pregnant. Probably one of the first signs that you will notice is missing your period. However, just because you’re late on your period does not necessarily mean that you’re pregnant. Other possible signs are nausea, vomiting, enlargement of the breasts, increased urination, and fatigue. There are also signs that could mean you are definitely pregnant. An enlarged abdomen and a positive pregnancy test are sure signs of pregnancy. The average pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, which is usually about 9 months. However, a pregnancy can last longer or it can be shorter. A premature baby is usually born around your 32nd week of pregnancy. A premature baby can have an increased risk of death due to underdevelopment. However, a baby that is born even 2 to 4 weeks past the due date can be in as much danger as a premature baby because they may become too large to pass
through the birth canal and may be deprived of oxygen. During your pregnancy, it is very important that you eat plenty of healthy foods to ensure that you and your baby are healthy.
Pregnancy is broken down into 3 trimesters. During these trimesters, the baby begins to grow and develop. The first trimester lasts for about 12 weeks. During this time, the baby begins to develop arms, legs and fingers, the organs are developed and begin to function, genitals have formed although the sex of baby is still unknown. The fetus is only about 2 inches long and weighs about half an ounce. The second trimester lasts for 14 weeks. The fetus will start moving during this trimester because the muscles are lengthening. The lungs are developing and are inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. During this stage, the sex of the fetus will be known. By the end of the second trimester, the baby will weigh about 2 pounds and be about 11 inches long. The third trimester is probably the most important. During this time, the baby will not move as much due to the decreased amount of space in the uterus. The baby’s lungs and digestive tract are mature. The baby is growing round due to developing fat layers. The baby’s hearing has matured and its hair is continuing to grow. By the end of the third trimester, the baby will weigh about 7 and a half pounds and is about 20 inches long. The baby’s first breaths will trigger changes in the heart that will force all blood to go through its lungs.
Labor is the next important step in a pregnancy. The average labor time for a woman who has never had a baby is between 12 and 24 hours, usually it lasts for about 14 hours. For a woman who has given birth, it usually lasts about 6 hours.
Labor is divided into 3 stages. The first stage of labor is the longest. It usually lasts about 13 hours. During this stage, contractions begin, which usually cause your water to “break.” Your contractions are usually about 10-20 minutes apart with them gradually getting closer together. The second stage of labor usually lasts about 90 minutes depending on the situation. If you decide to give birth in a vertical position, then it generally takes less time, usually about 30 minutes. The contractions are getting closer together which is opening the cervix to allow the baby to come out of the birth canal. The baby is gradually moving down the birth control preparing to exit the canal. At the end of this stage, the baby is born. The last stage of labor is when the placenta is expelled. This usually happens within an hour of giving birth and could last about 30 minutes.
Going through labor will probably be one of the most painful experiences you will have, but in the end it will be worth it. Having a baby is a wonderful thing. You go through a lot of things while your baby is growing up, but the first year is probably the most important. Make sure you get regular checkups to keep your baby healthy. The most important thing to do after having a baby is to just enjoy watching your baby grow up.
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