During this important period, women feel differently, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. In the first trimester of pregnancy, all the tissues of the fetus and its organs, limbs and nervous system are laid down. The prototype of the central and peripheral nervous system is the neural tube. Its proper development, timely closure is the most important event that takes place in the first trimester.

Unfortunately, it is the first trimester that is the period of the most frequently occurring abortions due to the impact of adverse factors.

Changes in the female body

A common symptom for all that accompanies the first trimester of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. Small bleeding from the vagina in some women is still possible. They are so similar to menstrual bleeding that a pregnant woman may not be aware of her condition for 3 months.

Colic in the lower abdomen

When there is a threat of termination of pregnancy in the discharge, there may be blood clots that look very similar to pieces of raw liver. Bleeding has a different character, it is not abundant, one-stage, may be accompanied by cramping pain in the abdomen, radiating to the shoulder. Vaginal discharge during miscarriage is insignificant, may have a brownish, gray or pinkish tint, last 3-4 days.

In any case, if atypical vaginal discharge occurs, accompanied by pain of any nature, you should immediately consult a doctor for an examination and ultrasound. Only a specialist will be able to distinguish the symptoms of abortion from other pathologies.

In this condition, the fertilized egg begins to develop not in the endometrium of the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. The fetus grows outside the uterus, and at the same time, the danger to the life of a woman grows, since a rupture of the tube can result in severe bleeding and even death. A characteristic symptom of this pathology is a pronounced dull pain in the lower and side of the abdomen, radiating to the shoulder. At the same time, a woman first has a slight brown vaginal discharge, or bleeding, similar to menstruation.

When a pipe breaks, the pain is so severe that women lose consciousness from the pain shock. Frequent cases of a critical condition with which a woman goes to the hospital are explained by the fact that until the last moment she does not realize that she is pregnant.

Causes of an ectopic pregnancy:

Infections of the reproductive organs in history;

Previously transferred ectopic pregnancy;

Complications after surgery in the form of adhesions in the abdominal cavity, blocking the patency of the pipes;

The use of an ectopic device;

Pregnancy after IVF or ICSI, when the embryo is inserted into the fallopian tube artificially.

At the first suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, you should consult a doctor for an ultrasound of the uterus and fallopian tubes, if indicated, perform a puncture of the retroperitoneal space. The level of hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood of a woman with a tubal pregnancy increases, which is also an important diagnostic sign.

If the diagnosis of "ectopic pregnancy" after the examination is confirmed, the woman undergoes a cavity or laparoscopic operation to remove the tube. Recovery after the intervention takes 6-8 days. After 2 menstrual cycles, the next pregnancy is possible. The functions of the removed tube will be taken over by the remaining fallopian tube, and ovulation will occur regularly.

The reasons for the fading of the fetus against the background of complete well-being often remain a mystery for both the woman and the doctor conducting the pregnancy. This pathology can occur at any time of the first and next trimester (up to 28 weeks). The fact that the fetus does not show signs of life, a woman may not immediately determine. Some women claim that they simply "stopped feeling pregnant" - the nausea, soreness and swelling of the breast disappeared. A woman with a missed pregnancy has atypical vaginal discharge: bloody, bloody, the lower abdomen may hurt a little.

Causes of pregnancy fading:

Infectious diseases of the reproductive system;

Inflammatory gynecological diseases in history;

Genetic and chromosomal pathologies of fetal development;

Artificial termination of pregnancy, produced by a woman earlier.

When diagnosing a missed pregnancy, the doctor removes the dead fetal egg, conducts conservative treatment to prevent infection of the woman's body. The next pregnancy can be planned in 6-12 months. In most cases, it ends successfully.

Pregnancy management is carried out by an obstetrician-gynecologist in the antenatal clinic. In the first trimester, a woman should visit her doctor at least once a month, unless she has special health problems.

At the first appointment, the doctor will prescribe a woman to conduct tests for a comprehensive examination of her health:

Blood test for Rh factor;

General analysis of blood and urine;

A smear for urogenital infections;

Blood chemistry;

Vaginal smear for flora and cytology;

Test for rubella, toxoplasmosis, and herpes virus.

In case of trouble in the work of some organ, specialized specialists will deal with the treatment of a pregnant woman, taking into account her condition.

At 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, as part of the screening of the first trimester, an ultrasound of the fetus is performed. A short period allows it to be carried out by the transvaginal method, less often the study is carried out transabdominally, that is, through the abdominal wall. Timely ultrasound will reveal possible pathologies of the fetus, uterus and placenta.

If problems arise (pelvic pain, bleeding, suspected ectopic pregnancy), an ultrasound examination is performed unscheduled. It allows you to exclude genetic and chromosomal pathologies of the unborn child.

Vaginal discharge in the first trimester

During the entire period of pregnancy, clear or white mucous leucorrhoea is considered normal vaginal discharge. They have a small volume, almost odorless. Atypical vaginal discharge requires urgent medical advice:

Green color with an admixture of mucus, with an unpleasant odor - indicate infection of the reproductive organs;

Thick yellow leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor - attachment to the microflora of the vagina of cocci or Escherichia coli, purulent inflammation;

White flakes in the form of cottage cheese are a sign of vaginal candidiasis, a fungal infection due to reduced immunity;

Bloody discharge of brown or scarlet color is a symptom of dangerous conditions and diseases (detachment of the fetal egg, frozen or ectopic pregnancy, cervical erosion, miscarriage that has begun).

Any atypical discharge requires a doctor's consultation, a thorough examination and treatment.

Normally, in the first trimester, a slight increase in body temperature up to +37.5? C. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, the acceleration of metabolism. If the temperature values ​​​​are higher than these figures, and, possibly, a pregnant woman has acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections.

The danger of this condition is that pathogens can penetrate the placental barrier and harm the fetus. In addition, the use of drugs in the first trimester should be limited, since many of them have a teratogenic effect, that is, they can cause fetal deformities. Colds should only be treated by a doctor. Most likely, he will recommend bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids to detoxify the body, rinsing the nose with sea water, and gargling with saline or soda solution. Herbal preparations should be used with caution, as some of them increase the tone of the uterus.

Sexual relations between spouses in early pregnancy are not prohibited, provided that there are no contraindications:

twin pregnancy;

Sexual infections in one of the spouses;

Habitual miscarriage.

During the hormonal restructuring of the first trimester, the structure of the genital organs of a pregnant woman changes somewhat - the tissues of the vagina and cervix become looser, easily damaged with the formation of abrasions of the mucous membrane. Early toxicosis of pregnancy changes a woman's perception of the world around her, she becomes irritable, quickly gets tired. These factors can lead to a temporary restriction of intimate contacts between spouses.

In order for the first trimester of pregnancy to become a time of well-being and well-being for a woman, it is necessary to undergo an examination in a timely manner, engage in feasible physical education, and properly form your diet.

Education: Diploma "Obstetrics and Gynecology" received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Health and Social Development (2010). In 2013, she completed her postgraduate studies at the NMU. N. I. Pirogov.

The 1st trimester of pregnancy is the initial, but very important stage of pregnancy, during which the formation of all organs and systems in the unborn baby takes place.
The first trimester is also quite difficult for mom, since right now she will have to face most of the difficulties of the entire pregnant period.

1st trimester of pregnancy: how many weeks is it, when does it end

The early period of pregnancy or the first trimester lasts 13 obstetric weeks. It is counted from the first day of the last menstruation, after which conception occurred. Many young mothers are perplexed why, at the first examination by a gynecologist, just a week after the delay, they are given a period of 5-6 weeks, although in fact the baby in the tummy is no more than 3.5-4 weeks.

The answer to this riddle is simple - the first month of pregnancy in medical practice lasts 6, not 4 calendar weeks, since those 14 days from the start of the last menstruation, when the egg was preparing for fertilization, are also taken into account. This is the period when your unborn baby makes a serious "journey" through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus, which will become his home for the next nine months.

First trimester of pregnancy: what happens

The first trimester, like the next two three-month periods of bearing a child, has its own characteristics. During this period, important processes take place in the body of the pregnant woman and the embryo that set the course for the entire course of pregnancy. Depending on the individual characteristics of the early stage of pregnancy, each woman endures differently.

Almost constant companions of all mothers in the first weeks are:

1. impassable fatigue
2. nausea
3. headache and fainting
4. drowsiness
5. depression and irritability
6. thrush

But feeling unwell can be easily overcome if you tune in correctly. Revision of lifestyle will help to cope with toxicosis and raging hormones. Try to rest more and walk in the fresh air, change your diet, replacing the sandwich menu with healthy food - this will help you quickly "adapt" to the appearance of a "tenant" in the stomach.

What happens to the child:
In the first three months, the embryo actively develops. On the fifth week, serious processes take place in his body to lay important organs: the liver, kidneys and digestive system. At the sixth week, the baby completes the formation of the heart, which from that moment begins to contract. By the 12th week, the embryo is already completely similar to a little man - its height is 5-6 cm, and its weight is 9-14 g.

Nutrition during pregnancy 1st trimester

Nutrition in the first trimester is an urgent issue for women in labor suffering from toxicosis, against which there is an absolute disgust for everything related to food. What to eat at an early stage in order to provide the developing baby with all the necessary nutrients in full?

The diet and diet in the early stages is best chosen from your individual preferences, especially when toxicosis is raging and all foods in the eyes of a pregnant woman are divided into two categories - it is impossible to eat and acceptable. Fractional nutrition will help to fight this problem - a little bit, but often.

What is useful to eat and drink: boiled meat and fish, vegetable soups, fruits and vegetables in any form, dairy products. You need to give up everything fried, spicy and sour, although it is better to leave pickled cucumber or sauerkraut on the menu - they cause appetite and help smooth out the symptoms of toxicosis.

A healthy first trimester menu should include the following dishes:

• Bran flakes, muesli and cereals;
• Vegetable soups with light broth and stews;
• Salads from vegetables and fruits;
• Meat and fish steam cutlets, casseroles
• Milk puddings

For a snack, it is better to give up fast food and sandwiches, and stock up on biscuit cookies and juice, which you can “eat” nausea in several passes between main meals.

Tests for pregnant women in the first trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy is the busiest in terms of medical examination. It is during this period that women are prescribed many tests in order to draw up the correct plan for monitoring the course of pregnancy.

The list of mandatory tests and examinations includes:

1. blood for HIV / AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, TORCH infections, hepatitis B and C, group and Rh factor, hemoglobin;
2. general urine analysis;
3. a smear on the microflora from the vagina;
4. heart electrocardiogram.

Also, at an early stage, gynecologists issue a referral to a pregnant woman for medical examination by narrow specialists: a neuropathologist, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, dentist, surgeon and therapist.

Discharge during pregnancy in the first trimester

The first trimester is considered the most dangerous period of pregnancy, during which a miscarriage can occur. The main symptom of threatened miscarriage and miscarriage is bleeding.

Very often, in the first three months, expectant mothers have vaginal discharge of a different nature and shade. Mucus discharge of a whitish hue, which is aggravated by the influence of the pregnancy hormone - progesterone, is considered the norm.

You should urgently consult a doctor if:

• Dark yellow, yellow, yellowish or brown discharge. They may indicate the presence of a sexual infection or the fading of the fetus.
• White discharge of curdled consistency. They are a sign of thrush, which can cause pathology in the fetus.
• Spotting or spotting, which may be a sign of a miscarriage.

Sex in the first trimester of pregnancy

In the 1st trimester, when future parents are not yet accustomed to their new status, the question of sex becomes acute in married couples - is it possible or not? Obstetricians in the first trimester very much allow intimate relationships for mothers, if there is no threat of miscarriage.

But at this stage, the opponents of sex are often women who, against the background of a hormonal surge and constant malaise, no longer want to have an intimate relationship. This problem can only be solved on an individual basis. Psychologists recommend that caring daddies do not despair and wait a little - when the expectant mother "gets used" to pregnancy, she will definitely remember her husband, who needs her affection.

Sports during pregnancy first trimester

It is often difficult for expectant mothers who lead an active lifestyle before pregnancy to give up sports. According to obstetricians, this is not worth doing, since today the concept of “not shaking” the baby in the stomach is considered outdated in any case, and for easy childbirth, gynecologists even advise women to go to the gym, but without fanaticism.

Of course, you should give up training with increased physical activity, active running and rocking the press. But cycling, swimming, yoga or gymnastics - these activities will even be useful for the expectant mother.

First trimester of pregnancy: do's and don'ts

The first trimester is a very important period in a baby's development. What can and what can not be done in the first three months, so as not to harm the child?
Indeed, with the onset of pregnancy, women have to give up many habits. But this does not mean that you need to radically change your lifestyle. At the same time, it is still worth familiarizing yourself with the categorical “taboos”, as they promise a danger to the crumbs.

Categorical "no" first trimester:

1. alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and soda;
2. prolonged exposure to the sun;
3. physical exercise;
4. stress;
5. toxic substances;
6. medicines without a doctor's prescription.

The main “cans” of the first trimester are:

1. tranquility,
2. complete rest,
3. outdoor walks,
4. sleep and healthy eating.

Pregnancy 1st trimester: what you need to know

Are you becoming a mother for the first time and were confused when you saw two stripes on the test, not knowing what to do first? The algorithm is simple: visit a gynecologist, register with a antenatal clinic, undergo the necessary examination and enjoy your interesting position.

At this stage, it is not necessary to give up work and travel, if they are planned. With good health and the absence of medical contraindications, flights by plane are allowed, so you can safely go to hot countries - this will not harm either the baby or the mother.

It is important to remember that during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, any colds and medications are dangerous. Even with a banal runny nose, you should immediately visit a gynecologist and get qualified recommendations without self-medicating with the use of even those drugs that are sold without a prescription.

There are countless factors that can have a negative impact on pregnancy in the first trimester. But do not despair - it is possible to avoid problems when carrying a child.

The rules of the first trimester: calmness and following all the recommendations of the gynecologist, proper rest and sleep, elimination of stress and overwork, healthy nutrition and a full drinking regimen.

And do not forget, bearing a child is not a disease that needs to be treated, but a wonderful condition given to a woman by nature. Enjoy it, and then the pregnancy will pass for you as one happy moment.

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A few decades ago, any woman knew about the gestational age only that it was approximately 9 months. But times are changing, and almost every expectant mother has the idea that the entire period of bearing a baby is conditionally divided into three components or three trimesters.

Each of the trimesters has some features and distinctive features that should be considered so as not to harm the fetus. The most important and responsible is the first trimester of pregnancy, because it is at this time that a new life is born and all systems and organs of the future person are laid.

It is generally accepted that the duration of the first trimester of pregnancy is 13 weeks. However, some experts offer a different principle for dividing trimesters and insist that the first trimester lasts not 13, but 12 weeks, since during this time the important organs of the fetus have time to form. Nevertheless, in response to the question, the first trimester - how many weeks is it, it is better to name the number 13, because this corresponds to 1/3 of the entire gestational age.

What happens in the first trimester

Strange as it may sound, but the beginning of the so-called obstetric gestation period, the total duration of which is about 40 weeks, is considered not the moment of conception, that is, the meeting of the sperm and egg, but the first day of the last menstruation preceding conception. Thus, in the first and second weeks of pregnancy, it is still too early to talk about the accomplished fact of conception, because it is not known whether fertilization will occur in this period.

And only in the third week of pregnancy, less often in the second or fourth, the direct process of fertilization and subsequent development of the embryo begins. Particularly sensitive women literally from the first days of conception may notice changes in their well-being, but most women do not even know about the upcoming imminent motherhood.

Further, the development of the fetus proceeds at a rapid pace. The body of the expectant mother experiences significant changes both at the physiological and at the mental, emotional levels, because a lot of resources are needed to meet all the needs of the child.

Fetal development

During the first trimester, significant changes occur in the body of the fetus. Actually, at the very beginning of this period, the fetus as such does not yet exist, because only in 2-3 weeks the mature egg will merge with the most active sperm. Then the process of cell division begins. It is at this stage that any negative factors can have an adverse effect on the body and disrupt the programmed process of the formation of the baby's body.

The first days and weeks of pregnancy, the embryo is called the embryo. Initially, three germ layers are formed in the embryo, these are the rudiments of the internal organs and tissues of the body. After some time, the embryo attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. Every day the number of embryonic cells increases, these cells become more and more differentiated.

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Toward the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, i.e., by the beginning of the 13th week, the body weight of the embryo, which by this time is already called the fetus, reaches 14-20 grams, and the body length is 6.5-7.8 cm. Despite small body size, all organs and systems of the fetus at this stage are practically formed, in the future they will develop and improve. When conducting an ultrasound in the photo, a woman sees only the contours of the baby's body, and only a specialist can understand all these pictures.

Changes in the body of the expectant mother

For many women, the 1st trimester of pregnancy becomes a real test, because it is at this time that a sharp restructuring of the hormonal background of the female body occurs, a restructuring of the work of all systems and organs. All this leaves a significant imprint on the well-being of the expectant mother.

In addition, some women in a rather acute form have all the manifestations and features of toxicosis. In general, most expectant mothers note the following sensations and symptoms of the first trimester of pregnancy:

• aversion to food in general or to certain types of food;
• nausea, vomiting, especially in the morning;
• an increase in the mammary glands, a feeling of heaviness in them;
• drowsiness, distraction;
• decrease in working capacity;
• worsening mood and well-being, the appearance of some symptoms of depression;
• excessive irritability and nervousness, behavior becomes more impulsive.

As a rule, the above manifestations partially or completely disappear by the 12th or 13th week, that is, by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. By this time, the female body successfully adapts to functioning in a new mode for it. A woman begins to feel calm and self-confident. But all this is ahead, but for now we need to be patient and strong.

The tummy of the expectant mother in the first trimester of pregnancy is still very small, because the uterus is not yet so enlarged. However, in some women, especially those who are quite thin, by the end of the first trimester, the stomach already protrudes forward, so others can quite accurately determine that she is pregnant.

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Unlike the abdomen, the breasts increase significantly in size almost from the first days of pregnancy. It would seem, why do such changes occur in the female body at such an early stage, because before the birth and feeding of the baby is even more than six months? However, the mammary glands will be enlarged throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy, so the expectant mother will have to buy a new larger bra almost immediately after she finds out about her condition.

Tests and examinations in the first trimester

It is recommended that the expectant mother visit the antenatal clinic two to three weeks after the delay in menstruation and visit a specialist who will manage the pregnancy. You can register for pregnancy later, but not by much, because the main tests are prescribed at 10-13 obstetric weeks. The indicated terms are recommended in cases where the woman is relatively healthy.

If the expectant mother has previously had miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, or has serious chronic diseases, then you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, even a few days after the delay, especially if pharmacy tests show the coveted “extra” strip.

When registering, pregnant women are prescribed the following types of tests and examinations:

• general blood analysis;
• general urine analysis;
• a blood test to determine its group and Rh factor;
• analysis for HIV and syphilis;
• vaginal swab.

In addition, during each visit to the medical institution, the specialist will determine the weight and size of the woman's abdomen in order to control the dynamics of body weight gain. The exact list of tests that pregnant women take when registering can be found in the antenatal clinic.

At 11-13 weeks, that is, closer to the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman should undergo the first prenatal screening, which consists of an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the fetus and determination of the level of certain hormones, primarily human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Based on the results of examinations, the doctor determines the degree of risk of congenital chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. If the test results are disappointing or questionable, the woman will be advised to visit a geneticist and undergo other, more in-depth, types of research. Such an examination, such as, for example, a chorionic villus biopsy, will allow you to determine the sex of the baby with an accuracy of 100% and find out what is happening to the child at the chromosomal level.

Main hazards and risks

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the most serious risks for a woman are ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.

An ectopic pregnancy is one of the most serious dangers for a woman. In this case, the embryo begins to develop not in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. For the expectant mother, this is a mortal danger, because a sudden rupture of the pipe can end very sadly. The main symptom of an ectopic pregnancy is a sharp pain in the abdomen or side. But such an outcome should not be expected, because this pathology is very easy to detect during an ultrasound scan and to carry out surgery in time with a minimal threat to the woman's body.

The risk of miscarriage is higher in the first weeks of pregnancy. According to statistical studies, up to 60% of all cases of spontaneous abortion in the 1st trimester are due to genetic abnormalities in the embryo (fetus), so the female body itself gets rid of the incorrectly formed embryo. Nevertheless, the rest of the cases are caused by the fact that there are some disorders in the woman’s body that do not allow her to carry out pregnancy normally, for example, too high or low levels of certain hormones, abnormal structure of the female genital organs, etc. In this case, it is necessary to take all measures to safely preserve pregnancy, and for this in the arsenal of modern medicine there are a number of effective methods. Subject to the implementation of all the recommendations of the doctor who will conduct the pregnancy, the likelihood of saving the child increases significantly.

The most important tips for expectant mothers in the first trimester of pregnancy are as follows:

• First of all, you need to get rid of all bad habits if the expectant mother has previously smoked or consumed alcoholic beverages. Any dangerous toxic substances during this period are very harmful to the fetus, so no imaginary pleasure from their use should outweigh the health of the unborn child.
• Almost all medicines are also banned, even those that can be purchased without a prescription. It is unacceptable to take any, even seemingly safe, medicines without consulting a doctor, who should be informed of her pregnancy.
• A developing fetus needs sufficient nutrients, so the expectant mother should regularly eat fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and fish. But sweets need to be limited, because almost all of them do not contain anything useful, only extra calories.
• Since the first trimester is a rather critical period for the embryo (fetus) and at this time there is a possibility of miscarriage, you should refrain from intimate relationships at this time.
• Excessive physical exertion should be avoided and the level of habitual physical activity should be somewhat limited in order to protect yourself from a possible miscarriage or any complications.
• Visiting crowded places should be avoided as much as possible, as this can lead to infection with infectious diseases, which at this stage are especially dangerous for the developing fetus.
• You can take vitamins as prescribed by a doctor who will advise how much additionally the baby needs certain nutrients.

An exact list of recommendations on what can and cannot be done in the first months of pregnancy can be obtained from a antenatal clinic specialist who will be able to take into account the woman's health status and the available examination results. For more information, please watch the related video.

It is well known that a woman carries a child for 9 months, or approximately 280 days. In obstetric practice, the division of pregnancy into trimesters is accepted. How many trimesters are there in pregnancy? There are three of them, and in each trimester, the expectant mother and her baby expect pleasant changes and serious dangers. For the convenience of monitoring a pregnant woman, doctors use a pregnancy calendar by trimesters, and pregnancy trimesters are painted by weeks.

First trimester of pregnancy: 1-12 weeks

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the so-called symptoms of pregnancy appear: the absence of regular menstruation, early toxicosis, etc. It is during this period that all the vital systems of the child are laid down, so it is so important to know how long the first trimester of pregnancy lasts, what dangers await mother and baby. Consider the first trimester of pregnancy week by week.

Your baby is growing

• 1-2 weeks - an egg develops in the body of the expectant mother, approximately at the end of the second week, ovulation and fertilization occur;
• 3 weeks - a fertilized egg reaches the uterus and is fixed in the endometrial layer;
• 4-5 weeks - the neural tube (the future central nervous system) is formed, the heart begins to beat;
• 6-7 weeks - the spine and cerebral hemispheres begin to form, the rudiments of eyes, auricles, arms and legs, liver, stomach, pancreas and thyroid glands appear;
• 8-9 weeks - all facial features are already distinguishable, genitals, intestines are formed, fingers appear on the hands;
• 10-12 weeks - the baby begins to move, nails appear on the fingers, and the rudiments of teeth appear in the gums. The heart is fully formed, and the endocrine system begins to produce hormones.

You are changing: around the 6th week of pregnancy, signs of toxicosis appear: morning sickness and vomiting. The chest swells and becomes sensitive, you visit the toilet more often - the growing uterus presses on the bladder. You get tired quickly, sleep a lot, often get irritated and cry. This is normal - your body is being rebuilt "in a pregnant way."

Important! Doctors consider the first trimester to be the most dangerous for the baby: any failure, infection, lack of vitamins or imbalance of hormones in the mother's body can lead to a miscarriage. Critical for a child are 3-4 weeks of pregnancy (when implantation of the fetal egg into the uterus occurs) and 8-12 weeks (during this period, the "hormonal storm" in a pregnant woman is especially strong).

Second trimester of pregnancy: 13-27 weeks

This time is considered the easiest and most pleasant period of pregnancy: toxicosis has receded, the tummy is just starting to grow, the tearful mood of the first weeks has been replaced by joyful expectation, I want to do a thousand things. It is in the second trimester that women really blossom.

Your baby is growing and very fast! If at the beginning of the second trimester his height is approximately 10 cm, and his weight is 30 g, then by the end of this period (27 weeks), the child weighs on average about 1.2 kg with a height of 35 cm! In addition, you can already determine the sex of the baby. The skeleton is fully formed, the muscular system and the brain are developing. The baby moves a lot, and at 18-22 weeks, the mother can already feel the first movements.

You are changing: your tummy becomes more and more prominent. Now is the time to get a "pregnant" wardrobe, and the doctor will advise you to wear a bandage (from 20-22 weeks). The only thing that can overshadow this wonderful period is pain in the back or hip joints.

Important! At this stage, genetic abnormalities and severe fetal malformations can be identified, so if you are at risk, be sure to take the “triple test”.

Third trimester of pregnancy: 28-40 weeks

This is the last trimester of pregnancy, the most difficult for the expectant mother: the weight and proportions of the body have changed so much that it is already difficult to walk, sleep and even breathe. In addition, the woman is overcome by fears, she again becomes emotional and irritable.

Your baby is growing all his organs are formed. The child already hears, makes respiratory movements, distinguishes taste. The head is covered with hairs, and the body is covered with a lubricant that will help to pass through the birth canal.

You are changing: the uterus continues to grow, and it is already difficult for you to breathe. False contractions may appear - the uterus begins to prepare for childbirth. You get tired quickly again, often run to the toilet, sleep poorly.

Important! At 28-32 weeks of pregnancy, signs of late toxicosis may appear: edema, increased blood pressure, rapid weight gain, protein in the urine.

The entire period of pregnancy is usually divided into three approximately equal periods of time, which are called trimesters. It is counted from the first day of the last menstruation to 12 weeks (during this period, fertilization occurs - the fusion of the egg and sperm and the formation of the organs of the fetus and placenta). The second trimester lasts from 13 to 28 weeks (at this time there is an active growth and development of the fetus). From 29 weeks until the moment of delivery, the third trimester of pregnancy begins (the period of 28 weeks is the border between the second and third trimesters, because the fetus born after 28 weeks of pregnancy, with appropriate treatment and nursing, is capable of further growth and development outside the mother's body).

It should be noted that the calculation of the obstetric gestational age, which is set in the antenatal clinic, with ultrasound and when calculating the expected date of birth, is usually carried out not from the moment when conception occurred, but from the first day of the last menstruation. The embryonic gestational age is also distinguished, the calculation of which is carried out from the moment of conception (as a rule, it is two weeks less than the obstetric one). Calculating the obstetric period is more convenient, because it is rather difficult to determine the exact date of conception, and the expectant mother can almost always tell the date of the first day of the last menstruation.

embryo development

The life span of an egg in anticipation of fertilization is 24 hours, and the viability of spermatozoa is 3-5 days. If, after the release of a mature egg from the ovary (which happens, as a rule, in the middle of the menstrual cycle), it meets and merges with the sperm, fertilization occurs, resulting in the formation of a unicellular embryo - a zygote, which gives rise to a complex process of laying all organs and systems future child.

A day after fertilization, which occurs in the ampullary (expanded) section of the fallopian tube, the embryo begins its journey to the place of permanent "dislocation" - into the uterine cavity, while not stopping to divide continuously.

From 4 days in the embryo, consisting of a group of cells similar to a raspberry (at this stage of development it is called a morula), the process of embryogenesis begins - the laying of all organs and tissues. 5-7 days after fertilization, having reached the uterine cavity, the embryo, which during this period is in the blastocyst stage and consists of approximately 200 cells, begins the process of penetration into the uterine mucosa - implantation, which occurs on the 21-24th day of the menstrual cycle. In the process of implantation, continuously dividing cells of the embryo secrete special enzymes that melt a section of the mucous membrane of the uterus - the endometrium, and penetrate inside. After implantation, the smallest blood vessels of the outer part of the blastocyst and the endometrium merge, through which the life support of the embryo begins (until the moment of implantation, it was fed from its own reserves, which are significantly depleted by the time they enter the uterine cavity). In the future, the chorion is formed from these vessels, and then the placenta, which is the most important organ that provides nutrition and growth of the fetus.

The dividing cells of the embryo form 3 sheets, which give rise to certain organs and tissues. The outer leaf gives rise to the development of skin, hair and nails, teeth, epithelium of the ears, eyes and nose, and the nervous system. From the middle leaf, a chord is formed - the basis of the future spine, skeletal muscles, cartilage, internal organs, blood vessels, sex glands. From the cells of the inner leaf, the epithelium of the respiratory and digestive systems, the liver and pancreas will be formed.

After implantation is completed, the outer cells of the embryo (trophoblast) begin to synthesize the hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which, spreading with blood flow throughout the body of the future mother, gives a signal for hormonal restructuring of its organs and systems in connection with the onset of pregnancy. Thus, from the 10th day after fertilization (which corresponds to the 24th day of the menstrual cycle), hCG, by which one can judge the presence of pregnancy, begins to be determined in the blood and a little later in the urine of the pregnant woman.

By the end of the first month of pregnancy (at 4 weeks), the embryo looks like a tube, at one end of which there is a thickening - the future head of the child, at the other end - the coccyx rudiment. The heart begins to form, while still having a single-chamber structure, the nervous system (21 days after conception, the laying of the brain and spinal cord occurs). At week 4, the rudiments of internal organs, eye sockets, and limbs are formed. The size of the embryo by the end of the first month is about 1.5 mm.

In the second month of pregnancy (at 5–8 weeks), the embryo looks like a “comma” due to the large size of the head, which makes up more than one third of the body, and still not very developed limbs. During this period, there is a process of rapid growth (its rate reaches 2–3 mm per day!), Amniotic fluid begins to be produced, in which the unborn child spends the entire period of intrauterine existence, through which the metabolism of the fetus is carried out and which performs protective (shock-absorbing) function. On the head of the embryo there are 4 depressions where eyes and ears are formed. The central nervous system is actively developing: the layers of the cerebral hemispheres are being laid. By the end of the second month of pregnancy, a tiny heart begins to contract in the embryo (this can be seen with ultrasound), the kidneys begin to function, there is a nose and mouth on the small face, fingers form on the limbs, which are still tight with membranes, the muscles acquire the ability to contract. By the end of the second month of pregnancy, the growth of the embryo reaches 2.5 cm.

By the beginning of the 3rd month of pregnancy (9–12 weeks), the period of laying human organs ends - the embryonic period, the embryo acquires a characteristic human appearance, therefore, after 8 weeks of development (or 45 days after fertilization) it is already called a fetus: the so-called fruiting period begins development.

Within 3 months, the baby continues to actively grow and develop: the heart already has a four-chamber structure, like in an adult, facial features become clearer, the stomach and intestines are formed, limbs and fingers are fully formed, on which tiny marigolds grow, convolutions are formed in the brain and furrows. Muscles are actively working, due to which the fetus moves its arms and legs (but due to its too small size, the expectant mother cannot yet feel these movements), the fetus can also clench and unclench its fists, open and close its mouth. The cartilaginous tissue that makes up the skeleton of the fetus begins to harden at the so-called ossification points. The skin of the unborn child at this stage is very thin, blood vessels shine through it, due to which the skin has a red color. The growth of the fetus by the end of the third month of pregnancy is already 9-10 cm, weight - 13-14 g.

1st trimester: a woman's feelings

During the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother is actively rebuilding to a new mode of operation (the volume of circulating blood gradually increases, the heart, lungs and kidneys begin to work in an enhanced mode, etc.), in which everything is aimed at bearing and developing the fetus. In this regard, even in healthy pregnant women, changes are often observed both in the physiological and psychological spheres of life. It must be remembered that these changes are temporary and are signs of a restructuring of the hormonal background, which is necessary for the normal growth and development of the unborn baby.

General well-being. So, at a time when you still may not know that a new life has arisen inside you, you may feel general weakness, fatigue, constant drowsiness, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate on any important matter, periodically occurring dizziness. These symptoms are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy and are associated with the effect of the hormone progesterone (which begins to be produced by the ovary from the moment of fertilization) on vascular tone. The vessels of the uterus and small pelvis during pregnancy expand significantly, which is necessary for relaxation of the uterus and good blood supply to the fetus. Due to the fact that the vessels of the future mother's body are in an expanded state and a large amount of blood accumulates in the pelvic organs, a decrease in blood pressure is often noted in a pregnant woman in the first trimester, the symptoms of which are weakness, drowsiness and other listed ailments.

Psycho-emotional sphere. The first trimester of pregnancy is characterized by sudden mood swings, instability of psycho-emotional reactions, which can be manifested by excessive touchiness, the appearance of tears for no apparent reason, and reactions to ordinary stimuli that are uncharacteristic for this woman. These changes can have varying degrees of severity, as well as different durations: for some, the phenomena of emotional lability (as specialists call these manifestations) disappear after a few weeks from the onset of pregnancy, and for some women they are observed during the entire first trimester or even the entire pregnancy, which depends on the initial characteristics of the character, reaction and relationships of the people around the future mother. Sudden mood swings are caused by the processes of significant hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Change in appetite. During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women experience changes in appetite as well as a pronounced preference for certain foods. Some pregnant women notice a sharp decrease in appetite, especially in the morning, which may be associated with early toxicosis, while others recall a constant irrepressible desire to eat during the first months of pregnancy. Someone has an irresistible desire to eat something sweet or salty, others have an aversion to the taste or smell of any food. In some cases, the food habits of pregnant women take on exotic forms: expectant mothers feel like eating chalk, sand, etc. If you are irresistibly drawn to eat something harmful (for example, pickles or smoked meats, tangerines or strawberries), it is advisable to choose an analogue that brings benefits the body of the expectant mother and growing baby. So, pickles can be replaced with crackers or nuts, sweets - with dried fruits or muesli bars, soda - with freshly squeezed juices or natural fruit drinks.

Metamorphoses of eating behavior can be associated with a deficiency in the expectant mother of precisely those substances that she lacks for the growth and development of the fetus (protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, certain trace elements), so the body insistently requires exactly the missing components, showing this by changing taste preferences . Therefore, if you notice a craving for unusual foods or completely inedible things, you need to inform the doctor who is observing your pregnancy so that he can identify the lack of which substances is associated with a change in taste preferences and give the necessary recommendations to replenish them.

As a result of hormonal changes in the body of a woman during pregnancy, there is an aversion to the taste and even the smell of any products (most often meat and fish). In such cases, you should not overpower yourself, as you can always find an alternative - for example, if you cannot look at meat, then dairy products, legumes, etc. can be an excellent source of protein.Remember that all these "pregnancy fads" are transient , and as the pregnancy progresses, everything will gradually fall into place.

Condition of the skin and mammary glands. In addition to changes in mood and appetite, the expectant mother in the first trimester of pregnancy may also experience external changes that may affect the skin, as well as the condition of the mammary glands. Since the mammary glands are hormone-dependent organs, under the influence of hormonal changes that occur in connection with pregnancy, women from the first weeks of pregnancy may notice a feeling of fullness (engorgement), tingling, discomfort and even soreness in the chest area. Any, even light touch to the mammary glands can cause discomfort. As a rule, they spontaneously pass by the end of the first - the beginning of the second month of pregnancy. In the area of ​​the areola (peripapillary circle) of the mammary glands, under the influence of estrogen hormones, pigmentation increases, which increases throughout the entire period of bearing the baby.

At the 3rd month of pregnancy, there may be an increase in the volume of the mammary glands and nipples, which is due to the active growth of glandular tissue to prepare the breast for lactation. If breast growth occurs very quickly, stretch marks may appear on the skin - striae; at first they are red, and over time they turn pale. Stretch marks are skin tears that are replaced by connective tissue as a result of the fact that the skin does not have time to adapt to such a rapid increase in breast volume. The possibility of the appearance of stretch marks is due to the individual characteristics of the structure of the skin of the expectant mother. Unfortunately, stretch marks cannot be completely removed, but over time they will become significantly less noticeable.

It is possible to take measures in advance against the appearance of stretch marks, and then they will either not appear at all, or will be minimally expressed. To avoid the appearance of stretch marks, it is necessary to clearly monitor the dynamics of weight gain, avoiding its sharp jumps and large gains in a short period of time (normally, a pregnant woman adds 300–400 g per week). Particular attention should be paid to skin care during pregnancy, since today there is a wide range of special products for the prevention of the appearance of stretch marks on the skin of the chest, abdomen and thighs. It is necessary to apply creams for the prevention of stretch marks containing nutrients, vitamins, collagen after a warm shower 1-2 times a day, which helps to moisturize the skin and increase its elasticity.

As pregnancy progresses, under the influence of estrogen on the skin of the face, in some cases, pigmentation of the skin in the facial area - forehead, cheeks, chin, upper lip - may increase. The risk group for the appearance of hyperpigmentation includes brunettes, women with dark skin. Also, expectant mothers who spend a lot of time in the open sun have a risk of increased pigmentation. As a rule, pigmentation disappears on its own after childbirth, but in rare cases, to one degree or another, it can persist for a long time.

You might be interested in the article "1st trimester: I'm pregnant, what should I do?" on the website mamaexpert.ru

Possible Complications

early toxicosis. The very first complication that a pregnant woman may encounter is undoubtedly early toxicosis. Most often, it is manifested by nausea, especially disturbing a woman in the morning, and vomiting, which in severe cases can occur up to several dozen times a day. More rare symptoms of early toxicosis are salivation (in this case, the amount of saliva secreted can reach a liter or more per day), dermatoses (skin manifestations, most often in the form of itching), etc. The mechanism of early toxicosis is not completely clear, but it has been established that the development of this complication of pregnancy is due to violations of the regulatory influence of the central nervous system on changes in the organs and systems of the woman's body in connection with pregnancy. If early toxicosis occurs in a mild form (vomiting occurs no more than 3-5 times a day, the general condition of the pregnant woman is not significantly disturbed), then the treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.

In case of early toxicosis, fractional meals are recommended: to make you feel better, you can have breakfast immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed, you need to eat often - after 2-3 hours, in small portions. It is important to normalize the daily regimen (sufficient sleep, exclude work at night, etc.), the creation of a therapeutic and protective regime - protection from any stressful situations, obtaining the maximum amount of positive emotions. Early toxicosis of medium (vomiting up to 10-12 times a day, signs of dehydration of the body appear) and severe (vomiting 20 or more times a day, severe dehydration of the body) are to be treated in a hospital.

Threat of abortion. The second most common complication that can develop during the first trimester is the threat of spontaneous miscarriage. This fact is due to the fact that during this period of pregnancy, when processes of active growth and development of the fetus and placenta take place, there is an increased sensitivity to damaging factors, under the influence of which abortion can occur, the death of the embryo or the occurrence of fetal malformation. Such periods, when the fetus is especially vulnerable to the effects of damaging factors, are called critical periods of pregnancy.

In the 1st trimester, the number of critical periods is maximum: the first such period is the moment of implantation of the ovum (the first 2–3 weeks of pregnancy), the next is the period of organogenesis (3–7 weeks, when the tissues and organs of the fetus are laid) and placentation (9–12 weeks pregnancy, when the placenta is actively forming). That is, in fact, almost the entire first trimester of pregnancy is a critical period. Adverse factors that can have a negative impact on the course of pregnancy are harmful environmental conditions (high temperature, radiation, vibration, hypoxia, etc.), infection, hormonal disorders, taking medications that are contraindicated for pregnant women, stress and overwork, and well as physical overload.

Signs of threatened miscarriage are:

• feeling of "heaviness" in the lower abdomen;
• aching, pulling pains (similar in nature to premenstrual);
• bloody discharge from the genital tract of any intensity (from scanty spotting to abundant).

If the above symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. In the presence of only pulling pains in the lower abdomen, treatment is started on an outpatient basis. If there is no effect from such treatment or spotting appears, the expectant mother is hospitalized for treatment and observation in a hospital.

Behavior rules

From the moment pregnancy is established, a number of simple rules must be observed, thanks to which complications can be avoided:

• It is necessary to adjust your daily routine in such a way as to ensure sufficient sleep (at least 8 hours at night), as well as leave 1-2 hours for walks in the fresh air. Often, pregnant women in the first trimester experience a pronounced need for daytime sleep, which is due to the influence of hormones, so it is desirable to provide the opportunity to sleep during the day for 1-2 hours.
• Physical activity should be within the usual, everyday. However, as a precaution, it is necessary to exclude weight lifting, sudden jumps, loads associated with tension in the abdominal muscles, strength training.
• You need to protect yourself as much as possible from adverse factors that can harm you and your unborn baby: avoid stressful situations, work on night shifts, refrain from being in a smoky room and, moreover, do not smoke yourself, completely eliminate the use of alcoholic beverages.
• Minimize the chance of contact with people with colds, especially if the first months of pregnancy fall during periods of seasonal fluctuations in the incidence.
• It is recommended to take vitamin complexes for pregnant women: they contain the optimal doses of vitamins and trace elements necessary for normal growth and development of the fetus. Of particular importance is the intake of folic acid in the first trimester of pregnancy. This substance plays a special role in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks), as it participates in the process of active cell division, laying and development of organs and tissues of the embryo. It has been proven that with a lack of folic acid intake during pregnancy, malformations of the nervous system of the fetus are formed, leading to spontaneous miscarriages or the birth of sick children. Folic acid can be taken both as part of vitamin complexes for pregnant women, and separately, the gynecologist will recommend the required dose to you.

• To ensure the successful course of pregnancy, it is necessary to register with the antenatal clinic. The optimal period for this is 8-10 weeks, since the examination in the first trimester in order to detect comorbidities early and their timely treatment are the key to the birth of a healthy child. When registering, a number of standard mandatory examinations are carried out, which will allow a comprehensive assessment of the health of the expectant mother. Upon registration, healthy pregnant women will be assigned blood tests - general and biochemical, blood clotting (coagulogram), urinalysis, testing for syphilis and HIV, hepatitis B and C, infections that can provoke the formation of fetal malformations (cytomegalovirus, rubella , herpes, toxoplasmosis). Electrocardiography (ECG) will also be performed, consultations of doctors - a general practitioner, dentist, ophthalmologist, ENT specialist - will be held.
• At a period of 10-12 weeks, to detect an increased risk of genetic abnormalities and fetal malformations, biochemical screening is carried out - the so-called "double" test - a blood test for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A).

If the future mother has any chronic diseases, the volume of examination and consultations of narrow specialists will increase depending on the type of pathology.

At 11-12 weeks of pregnancy, the first ultrasound is also prescribed, the purpose of which is to establish the fact of the presence of a uterine pregnancy and the viability of the fetus, determine the duration of pregnancy, and identify pathologies in the development of the fetus. It must be remembered that ultrasound must be done exactly at the time recommended by the gynecologist leading your pregnancy. The fact is that some symptoms that indicate trouble in the development of the baby are informative only at clearly defined terms of pregnancy.

An example is the size of the collar zone of the fetus, an increase in which may signal the risk of developing Down syndrome. But this symptom is informative only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Given that the diagnosis of genetic disorders of fetal development is still quite difficult today, it becomes clear that it is necessary to strictly adhere to the terms of additional studies in the first trimester of pregnancy.