Developmental Stages in Pregnancy

June 10th, 2011 Posted in Pregnancy
No Comments
Share

Learning about the different stages in pregnancy will help women to care more about themselves and their babies before they are born. Women may undergo different experiences as their unborn babies grow and develop in their wombs. For the first trimester, pregnant women may crave for particular foods. They may also feel moody at times because of some hormonal changes taking place inside their bodies. At this time, their babies’ brain and their spinal cord are being developed. The heart and the lungs also start to be formed. Their fingers, toes as well as their arms and legs are slowly developed too. By day 25, the babies inside the womb start to have heart beats.

The second trimester during the developmental stages in pregnancy will not be too difficult for pregnant women. They will have lesser morning sickness episodes and other symptoms. Pregnant women may now have more appetite and would start to gain weight. Their bellies tend to grow bigger at this time. The babies inside the womb would start to grow their eyelashes and their eyebrows. They may also have their fingernails developed and they may be able to make a fist already. By the 28th week, pregnant women may feel their babies kicking inside. Their babies may also start sucking their thumbs and may open and close their eyelids.

Pregnant women’s belly will grow fast during the last developmental stages in pregnancy. At times, they may feel some pains especially on the lower part of their bodies. Pregnant women may also feel the first signs of milk coming out of their breasts. Their babies inside have now fully developed and continue to grow. Babies may now open and close their eyes but they could only see some blurry light. By the end of the last trimester, pregnant women may feel the pressure of the weight of their babies in their pelvic area. Their babies are now getting in position for delivery.

Women should know what is happening in each of the different stages in pregnancy. Their knowledge will help them ease the pains and aches. They will also have the opportunity to prepare for their delivery without undue stress. As they monitor the progress of their babies with the help of their doctors, they may be able to prevent complications especially during the delivery period. Pregnancy may also be a wonderful experience to women who are ready to undergo the process. Their knowledge about the things to expect and to feel during the different stages in pregnancy will be of an advantage to them throughout the process.

 

Share
, , , ,
Read More

Pregnancy and Substance Abuse

June 9th, 2011 Posted in Pregnancy
No Comments
Share

Pregnancy and Substance Abuse

A lot of people may have a difficult time understanding that pregnancy and substance abuse abound in any society today. Some pregnant women make use of illicit drugs that may include cocaine, marijuana as well as ecstasy or amphetamines. These pregnant women may be aware of the dangers of these drugs not only to themselves but to their unborn babies as well. However, they cannot stop the urge to indulge in their addiction. Babies may come out prematurely while other babies may be born with defects. Babies may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they are born. Other babies may have learning as well as behavioral problems as they grow. At times, the abuse of these substances by pregnant women can be fatal for their babies as well.

Pregnancy and substance abuse also cover women who take in alcohol and smoke tobacco. Pregnant women who are addicted to drugs may also be into alcohol and tobacco abuse. The effects of all of these substances on the unborn child may be very serious. Marijuana may be the most used substance by pregnant women. This substance may slow down the growth and the development of the fetus. Babies who are exposed to marijuana before birth may exhibit excessive crying and trembling. They may also show signs of withdrawal from the substance when they are born.

Pregnancy and substance abuse also include the use of ecstasy and amphetamines. Some studies have shown that babies who are exposed to these may be born with congenital heart defects. The weight of the babies at birth may be lower than the normal range and they may also have smaller head circumference than the normal size. Children with smaller head size are believed to have more learning problems as they grow. Methamphetamines may cause some complications such as problems with the placenta. Other physical defects may include cleft palate though there are still no proofs as to this defect.

Pregnancy and substance abuse such as heroin also contribute to complications and birth defects. Babies also show other signs of substance exposure such as trembling and diarrhea. They may also experience vomiting, irritability as well as incessant crying or some seizure episodes. Babies are also at a risk of sudden death. Pregnant women who make use of cocaine have a higher chance of having a miscarriage or undergo preterm labor. Their babies are at risk of having learning disabilities. Babies may also be at risk of mental retardation as well as cerebral palsy.

There are still other substances that are abused by pregnant women aside from these. Though women may have a choice as to the lifestyle they would like to live, that sad part is that their babies do not have this privilege of choosing. It would all depend on their mothers and the chance that they would like to give to their babies to have healthy and normal lives. Pregnancy and substance abuse is something that mothers should think about. Pregnant women live, sleep and eat not only for themselves but also for the unborn inside their wombs.

 

Share
, ,
Read More
Newer Entries