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Month to Month
with Your Pregnancy
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Pregnancy
is a mind-body journey likely to include everything from moody blues to
the kicks of tiny feet. We asked Chester Martin, M.D., professor of
obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and
Jeanne Waldman, R.N., a certified nurse-midwife with Planned Parenthood
for help in compiling a 12-month time line that chronicles how you may
feel during your pregnancy. While not a substitute for medical care, this
road map may help you distinguish between signs that warn you to call your
doctor and signs that indicate everything is normal.
Ultrasound
Images
MONTH 1: weeks 1-4 (Am I pregnant?)
Possible Physical Changes
Absence of menstrual period, tingling, tender and/or swollen breasts,
fatigue, mild to extreme nausea, with or without vomiting, at any time of
day or night, minor uterine contractions.
Tests
During Pregnancy
Possible Emotional Changes
Wondering whether you're pregnant, fear of complications, anxiety about
motherhood and how it will affect marriage, career, and lifestyle,
crankiness
Possible Appetite Changes:
food cravings or aversions, increase or decrease in appetite. If you even
suspect you're pregnant, start taking 800 micrograms of folic acid daily,
the dosage recommended during pregnancy by the March of Dimes, to prevent
neural tube defects.
The Inside Story
The embryo is a tiny speck, the size of a pencil point that is sometimes
visible about the fourth week of gestation via vaginal ultrasound.
Sleep/Stamina Irregularities
Possible fatigue or sleepiness. An hour of extra sleep or taking afternoon
naps may help, but don't be surprised if you still feel tired no matter
how much sleep you get.
Rx for Stress
Instead of wondering or worrying whether or not you're pregnant, get
tested. At-home pregnancy tests are nearly 100 percent accurate 14 days or
more after a missed period, and urine tests (done at your doctor's office)
are nearly 100 percent accurate 7 to 10 days after conception. Blood tests
are 100 percent accurate after 7 days.
Special Risks
Early miscarriage.
Symptoms That Say "Call Your
Doctor"
Positive result on home pregnancy test, cramping and spotting or bleeding,
which may indicate early miscarriage, lower abdominal pain, continual
vomiting, gushing or steady leaking of fluid from vagina, painful or
sparse urination.
Free Online Pregnancy
Tools!
MONTH 2: weeks 4-8
Possible Physical Changes
Menstruation has ceased, but you may experience slight staining, fatigue,
sleepiness, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion,
flatulence, breast tenderness.
Possible Emotional Changes
Irritability, mood swings, weepiness, misgivings, denial, disbelief, anger
if the pregnancy is unwanted, joy, elation, excitement.
Possible Appetite Changes
Aversion to certain foods, morning sickness. Eating mini meals and
avoiding greasy foods may help squelch queasiness.
The Inside Story
By the end of this month, the tiny, tadpole like embryo is about the size
of a grain of rice.
Sleep/Stamina Irregularities
Your metabolism is working overtime to build the growing fetus, so don't
fight or ignore signs of fatigue. Great energy boosters include afternoon
naps or breaks, going to bed an hour early, daily aerobic exercise ,
eliminating chores.
Rx for Stress
Relaxation techniques, guide imagery, warm baths (not hot! avoid Jacuzzis,
saunas and hot tubs), yoga and low-impact aerobic exercise all help calm
frayed nerves. If you're very anxious, or your job is particularly
draining take frequent breaks.
Special Risks
Early miscarriage (affects 10 percent of pregnant women),
"ectopic" or tubal pregnancy (less common, affecting 1 in 100
women).
Symptoms That Say "Call Your
Doctor"
See Month 1.
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