Stages of pregnancy
Pregnancy occurs as a result of the meeting of a sperm with an egg emerging from the ovary during the ovulation period, and after the fertilization process, the egg moves to implantation within the uterine lining. Careful examinations during pregnancy help in observing the growth and development of the fetus and checking for abnormalities or other diseases. Able to live independently of his mother.
The position of the fetus in the third month in the abdomen
During the third month of pregnancy, most of the fetus’s organs are formed, and the reproductive organs appear in the form of small buds, where the feet and arms appear, ears are formed on either side of the head, and the fetus begins to move a little inside the uterus, and the risk of miscarriage decreases, the size of the uterus increases slightly and the placenta begins to form and appear, where the fetus is concentrated In the circumference of the abdomen and the pelvic area, and for this reason, the circumference of the pregnant belly grows a little and slightly protrudes outward, and the emergence of the abdomen may not be noticed during the third month of pregnancy for some women.
Fetal development during the third month of pregnancy
Several changes occur during the third month of pregnancy, and these changes are as follows:
During the ninth and tenth weeks
During this period of pregnancy, the length of the fetus is about 1.5 inches and the fingers in the limbs begin to grow at this stage the tail of the fetus disappears, and the umbilical cord that connects the fetus to the placenta appears, which in turn is connected to the inner wall of the uterus. The fetus is also fed and supplied with oxygen through the umbilical cord, which in turn takes Nutrients from the placenta.
During the eleventh and twelfth weeks
During this period the following changes occur:
- The onset of osteoporosis.
- The onset of nail and skin growth.
- The onset of the genitals.
- The beginning of urination of the fetus through the kidneys.
- Begin to extend the fingers in the hands and feet.
- The onset of sweat glands.
- Beginning of eyelid fusion.
Symptoms of pregnancy in the third month
Pregnancy symptoms in the first and second months worsen significantly in the third month of pregnancy, one of the most important of these symptoms is that the pregnant woman suffers from frequent nausea, in addition to a feeling of fatigue, lethargy, the constant desire to sleep and the inability to perform some tasks, and among these symptoms is also the appearance of acne on the pregnant woman And suffering from back pain, and the weight of the pregnant woman may not increase significantly in the third month of pregnancy unless the pregnant woman was overweight before pregnancy.
Physical changes in the third month of pregnancy
During the third month of pregnancy, hormonal changes cause bleeding in the gums, so it is recommended to stay away from food rich in sugar and examine the teeth during this period. Breast growth increases significantly as the nipple area grows and becomes larger and darker, and the growth of glandular cells for milk production increases, and it may also increase The waist circumference and the uterus grows and increases in size, leg cramps in pregnant women are very common, in addition to the increase in vaginal secretions and the woman’s suffering from constipation, and at the end of the third month, the chances of miscarriage decrease and the pregnant woman feel great energy and the abdomen protrudes.
Screening tests in the third month of pregnancy
It is very necessary to conduct tests during the third month of pregnancy to maintain the health of the fetus and the mother, and these tests include:
nuchal translucency test
This test is generally performed for women over 35 years of age, because of the possibility of having a baby with Down syndrome. This test depends on determining the amount of fluid at the end of the fetus's neck. If the amount of fluid is excessive, this means that there is a risk of Down syndrome.
Combined examination in the first trimester of pregnancy
This test is performed to determine the percentage of AFP protein present in the blood, and this substance is manufactured by the tissues in the fetus’s nervous system. The fetus is twin, but if the protein content is low, this indicates that the fetus has Down syndrome.
Integrated prenatal examination
It is a joint examination that combines the two previous examinations, and this examination is conducted to find out the chances of a chromosomal abnormality or a defect in the neural tube of the fetus. This examination must be conducted early in pregnancy to check for any abnormalities or congenital defects in the fetus.
Emotional changes and depression in the third month
Emotional changes and major depression are very common during the third month of pregnancy due to hormonal changes:
- A pregnant woman feels unable to control herself.
- Pregnant woman crying suddenly and spontaneously for no reason.
- Pregnant feelings of sadness, anger, and despair.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Lack of sexual desire.
- frequent dizziness.
Precautions to be taken in the third month of pregnancy
Pregnancy during the third month is a delicate and sensitive period, so a pregnant woman must pay attention and take all necessary precautions, including:
- Take prenatal vitamins: Pregnant women should take these vitamins because of their importance and impact on the health of both the fetus and the mother.
- Adopting a healthy diet program: The pregnant woman must avoid eating foods rich in carbohydrates during the third month, as the pregnant woman suffers from severe nausea in this month, and after nausea subsides, the pregnant woman begins to follow a healthy diet.
- Thinking positively about pregnancy: the woman's feeling of intense desire to become pregnant and monitoring the development of the fetus may help her relieve many of the symptoms that appear as a result of pregnancy.
- Sleep for enough time: pregnant women are advised to sleep for several hours during the first months of pregnancy.
Why are the first three months so important?
The first three months are very important because it is the stage of growth and development. During the first month, the main organs and systems are formed, the digestive system, the neural tube, and blood circulation are formed. During the second month, all the organs and systems of the fetus continue to grow and develop faster, in addition to the appearance of the fetus’s nails and eyelids, and in the third month The bones of the fetus begin to harden, and the fetus begins to move lightly without the mother feeling that movement, and the genitals are formed in the form of a bud, and any wrong practice during that period may increase the possibility of miscarriage, and medications may affect the growth of the fetus’s organs.
General advice during the first trimester
A pregnant woman needs to adhere to the following tips during the first trimester of pregnancy:
- Rely on healthy food and stay away from ready meals as much as possible.
- Rely on foods that contain good amounts of folic acid.
- Eating enough: If a pregnant woman cannot eat a full and large meal, she must eat several small meals throughout the day.
- Exercise: A pregnant woman needs to do some exercises to maintain body fitness and to relieve the stress of pregnancy.
- Stay away from stress and fatigue: The pregnant woman must stay away from any work that causes fatigue, stress, and weight-bearing.
Risk factors to watch out for during the first trimester
Many factors pose a risk to the fetus and mother during the first three months of pregnancy, including:
- Gestational vomiting: Vomiting and loss of appetite are among the most common things during the first trimester, but vomiting to a large extent may cause malnutrition, so the mother must try to get appropriate amounts of food, so as not to suffer from a lack of minerals and vitamins during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding: Vaginal bleeding is a threat to the life of the fetus, and vaginal bleeding can occur at any period of pregnancy, so the pregnant woman must monitor her condition continuously, and when she notices the presence of vaginal bleeding, she must consult a doctor.
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen: Lower abdominal pain is a general condition that most pregnant women suffer from as a result of the stretching of the abdominal muscles.
When should you see a doctor?
During pregnancy, many symptoms may appear that require a visit to a specialist, including:
- Infection of the mother with a disease that needs treatment and medication.
- The mother has severe bleeding.
- Infection of the mother with vaginal secretions that are accompanied by a strong odor.
- The mother has a high temperature or pain during urination.
- The mother has severe headaches.
- The mother has vision problems.
- If the sac containing the water of the fetus bursts.
- In the event of severe and painful contractions.
- In the event of significant weight gain and the appearance of swelling and bruises on the body.
- If you feel great pain in the chest area and shortness of breath.
In conclusion, the location of the fetus in the third month was determined in the abdomen, how pregnancy occurred and symptoms of pregnancy in the third month of pregnancy, the physical changes accompanying pregnancy in the third month, and the importance of screening tests in the third month, and a set of tips were mentioned. For women during the first trimester of pregnancy.