First Trimester
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First Trimester
| Thu, 02-15-2007 - 9:17am |
First Trimester
Within two weeks of fertilization, a blood test can confirm that you are pregnant. Congratulations!
In this, your first trimester, your body is very busy not only preparing itself for the rest of your pregnancy, but also growing your baby's organs. Stem Cells begin to specialize into other cells creating your baby's pancreas, liver, brain, heart, etc. You are able to see and feel signs of this throughout these three months. In your first month, you will notice that your breasts are swollen and sensitive, then, you will find that your areola and nipples are darker and the prominent veins on your breasts are more visible. By your second month, you may be experiencing the nausea commonly referred to as morning sickness. And you may be spending even more time in the bathroom: your rising HCG and progesterone levels inspire much more frequent urination. Progesterone can also be credited with your fatigue, which is intensified by your now speedy metabolism. By week 12, your placenta has taken charge of hormone production and will now be directing your body to do all the right things to prepare for, and provide for, your baby over the next two trimesters.
By the end of this trimester, your baby will weigh approximately one ounce, and will be about three inches long. Your baby has all the major organs, a head, mouth, eyes, hands and the beginnings of limbs, fingernails, teeth and even vocal cords - all the better to scream and cry with a few months down the road. Can you imagine that? Your own howling baby? It will make all the morning sickness and breast tenderness so worthwhile!
Within two weeks of fertilization, a blood test can confirm that you are pregnant. Congratulations!
In this, your first trimester, your body is very busy not only preparing itself for the rest of your pregnancy, but also growing your baby's organs. Stem Cells begin to specialize into other cells creating your baby's pancreas, liver, brain, heart, etc. You are able to see and feel signs of this throughout these three months. In your first month, you will notice that your breasts are swollen and sensitive, then, you will find that your areola and nipples are darker and the prominent veins on your breasts are more visible. By your second month, you may be experiencing the nausea commonly referred to as morning sickness. And you may be spending even more time in the bathroom: your rising HCG and progesterone levels inspire much more frequent urination. Progesterone can also be credited with your fatigue, which is intensified by your now speedy metabolism. By week 12, your placenta has taken charge of hormone production and will now be directing your body to do all the right things to prepare for, and provide for, your baby over the next two trimesters.
By the end of this trimester, your baby will weigh approximately one ounce, and will be about three inches long. Your baby has all the major organs, a head, mouth, eyes, hands and the beginnings of limbs, fingernails, teeth and even vocal cords - all the better to scream and cry with a few months down the road. Can you imagine that? Your own howling baby? It will make all the morning sickness and breast tenderness so worthwhile!

