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Month to Month
with Your Pregnancy
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MONTH 3: weeks 8-12
Possible Physical Changes
See Month 2. In addition, constipation, food cravings, occasional slight
headaches, faintness or dizziness, skin problems such as acne or rashes.
Tests
During Your 2nd Trimester
Possible Emotional Changes
See Month 2. In addition, fear of miscarriage, anticipation grows, fear or
anxiety about bodily changes, motherhood, finances.
Possible Appetite Changes
See Month 2. Morning sickness and food cravings may intensify.
Ultrasound
Images
The Inside Story
By the end of this month, the embryo resembles a tiny human, weighing an
ounce and measuring about 1/4 inches long from head to buttocks, the size
of a small strawberry. The heart is beating, and the arms and legs are
formed, with finger and toe buds appearing. Bone is just beginning to
replace cartilage.
Sleep/Stamina Irregularities
See Month 2. Experiment with sleeping on your back, head elevated six
inches and legs propped on a pillow, or curl up on your side.
Rx for Stress
See Month 2. Read books like What to Expect When You're Expecting,
Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Murkoff and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N. (Workman
Publishing, 1991 ), The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Pregnancy
and Baby Care (Darling Kindersley Limited, 1990), A Child Is Mom:
The Completely New Edition, Lennart Nilsson (Dell Publishing, 1993).
Your doctor may restrict sexual intercourse, experiment with
"pregnancy safe" alternatives.
Special Risks
See Month 2. See a genetic counselor if you're concerned about genetic
defects, family medical problems or are 35+.
Symptoms That Say "Call Your
Doctor"
Fever above 100.4 degrees in absence of cold or flu symptoms, severe
headache, blurred, dim or double vision, fainting or dizziness, sudden,
unexplained, large weight gain, sudden increase in thirst with sparse
and/or painful urination, bleeding or cramping.
MONTH 4: weeks 12-16
Possible Physical Changes
See Months 2 and 3. Increase or decrease in sexual drive, Frequent
nighttime urination.
Possible Emotional Changes
See Months 2 and 3. Fear or anxiety about bodily changes, motherhood,
finances, or new sense of calmness and acceptance, dreams of baby animals,
such as kittens or puppies, with their mothers.
Possible Appetite Changes
Increasing appetite, food cravings, morning sickness, nausea with or
without vomiting.
The Inside Story
Fetus weighs 1/2 ounce and measures 2 1/2 to 3 inches, the size of a large
goldfish, with a disproportionately large head. At 13 weeks eyes are
developed, although lids stay closed for several months. At 15 weeks ears
are fully developed. Most major organs, circulatory system and urinary
tract are operating, gender is impossible to determine, even with
ultrasound.
Sleep/Stamina Irregularities
You may suffer from disrupted sleep because of frequent need to urinate.
To ease grogginess, retire an hour or two earlier and/or take an afternoon
nap.
Rx for Stress
Aerobic exercise , guided imagery, meditation, yoga, calisthenics,
walking, swimming, gentle indoor cycling, jogging, tennis, cross country
skiing (below 10,000 feet), light weight training, outdoor cycling.
Special Risks:
See Month 3. Symptoms That Say "Call Your Doctor" Pink, red or
brown discharge or bleeding, with or without cramping.
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