Writing Notes: Pregnancy

do you have any resources on writing about pregnancy? thanks!

Writing Notes: Pregnancy

No two pregnancies are the same.

Some women have few or mild symptoms during pregnancy.

Many women work their full term and travel while they are pregnant.

Others may have to cut back on their hours or stop working.

Some women require bed rest for a few days or possibly weeks to continue with a healthy pregnancy.

A pregnancy is divided into 3 stages.

These are called trimesters.

Each trimester has its own major milestones.

The first trimester is the most fragile period.

It's when all major organs and systems are formed.

Most birth defects and miscarriages happen during the first trimester.

In the second and third trimester, the fetus is fully formed and grows and matures rapidly.

The trimesters are divided as follows:

First trimester is 0 to 12 weeks.

Second trimester is 13 to 28 weeks.

Third trimester is 29 to 40 weeks.

Some experts use the 42-weeks method divided by 3 trimesters:

The first trimester is 0 to 12 weeks.

The second trimester is 13 to 27 weeks.

The third trimester is 28 to 42 weeks.

Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy

The earliest sign of pregnancy is a missed period for women who have a regular monthly menstrual cycle.

Sometimes, implantation bleeding can occur. This is a bleed very similar to a light period or spotting. Though this is completely normal, you should check with your health-care provider if you experience any bleeding during your pregnancy.

You may also begin experiencing a handful of the symptoms below early on in your pregnancy such as fatigue, nausea or more frequent urination.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms

Morning sickness (nausea or vomiting)

Breast tenderness

Extreme changes in mood

Backaches, leg pain, and other aches and pains

Fatigue

Weight gain or loss

Headaches

Problems sleeping

Problems with urination

Skin and hair changes

Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy

Vaginal discharge

Constipation

Heartburn

Nosebleeds and bleeding gums

Swelling, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids

Breathing problems

Lower back and pelvic pain

Foot and ankle swelling

Food cravings or food aversions (some foods taste awful)

Read details of these symptoms here.

Second Trimester. While no two pregnancies are the same, some symptoms you may experience during your second trimester include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome — numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand

A line on your skin running from your belly button to your pubic hairline

Patches of darker skin on your face

Lower back and pelvic pain

Darkening areola

Stretch marks along your breasts, abdomen, buttocks and thighs

Third Trimester. While no two pregnancies are the same, some symptoms you may experience during your third trimester include:

Acid reflux (heartburn)

Haemorrhoids

Shortness of breath

Breast tenderness

Protruding belly button

Difficulty sleeping

Swelling in your fingers, face and ankles

Braxton Hicks (false contractions). During your third trimester, you will also experience contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labour. “False labour” pains are called Braxton Hicks and are your body’s way of preparing you for actual labour. They may feel similar to menstrual cramps or a tightening in the abdomen.

There is no medical treatment for Braxton Hicks, but there are some things you can due to ease discomfort, including:

Drinking water

Changing your position (if you are lying down, try going for a walk, and vice versa)

Relaxing by taking a nap, reading a book or listening to calming music

If these do not lessen the pain and if you notice your contractions becoming more frequent or intense, contact your health-care provider.

Multiple Pregnancy

A multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy with 2 or more babies. Some names for these are:

Twins for 2 babies

Triplets for 3 babies

Quadruplets for 4 babies

Quintuplets for 5 babies

Sextuplets for 6 babies

Septuplets for 7 babies

Multiples make up only about 3 in 100 births, but the multiple birth rate is rising. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the twin birth rate has risen 70% since 1980. It is now 32.6 per 1,000 live births. The birth rate for triplets and other higher-order multiples rose dramatically. But it has slowed since 1998.

Symptoms of Multiple Pregnancy. Women who are pregnant with multiples may have more severe morning sickness or breast tenderness than women who are pregnant with a single fetus. They also may gain weight more quickly. Most multiple pregnancies are discovered during an ultrasound exam.

Common Complication. The most common complication of multiple pregnancy is preterm birth. More than one half of all twins are born preterm. Triplets and more are almost always born preterm.

Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Each woman may have slightly different symptoms. But the most common symptoms of multiple pregnancy are:

Uterus is larger than expected for the dates in pregnancy

More morning sickness

Greater appetite

Too much weight gain, especially in early pregnancy

Babies' movements felt in different parts of the stomach at the same time

Going into Labour

Most women give birth between 38 and 41 weeks of pregnancy, but there is no way to know the exact moment you will go into labour.

When labour begins, the cervix dilates and the muscles of the uterus begin to contract at regular intervals and will get closer together over time.

Contractions will feel similar to menstrual cramps, but more intense.

As your uterus contracts, you may feel pain in your back or pelvis and your abdomen will become hard.

When your uterus relaxes, your abdomen will become soft again.

In addition to contractions, some other signs that labour is beginning include:

Lightening (the sensation that the fetus has dropped lower)

Loss of the mucus plug (you will notice an increase in clear or pink discharge)

Water breaking (rupture of membranes)

It is important to note that you might not notice some of these changes before labour begins. If you think you are in labour, contact your health-care provider.

Possible Pregnancy Complications

Common complications include:

Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

High blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia)

Premature or preterm changes in the cervix

Problems with the placenta. It may cover the cervix, pull away from the womb, or not work as well as it should

Vaginal bleeding

Early labor

Your baby is not growing well

Your baby has medical problems

It can be scary to think about possible problems. But it is important to be aware so you can tell your provider if you notice unusual symptoms.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Unpasteurized milk and foods made with unpasteurized milk (soft cheeses, including feta, queso blanco and fresco, Camembert, brie or blue-veined cheeses—unless labeled “made with pasteurized milk")

Hot dogs and luncheon meats (unless they are heated until steaming hot before serving)

Raw and undercooked seafood, eggs and meat. Do not eat sushi made with raw fish (cooked sushi is safe).

Refrigerated pâté and meat spreads

Refrigerated smoked seafood

Guidelines for Safe Food Handling

Follow these general food safety guidelines when handling and cooking food:

Wash. Rinse all raw produce thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting or cooking.

Clean. Wash your hands, knives, countertops and cutting boards after handling and preparing uncooked foods.

Cook. Cook beef, pork or poultry to a safe internal temperature verified by a food thermometer.

Chill. Promptly refrigerate all perishable food.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pregnancy Slideshow ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

You can find more information I wasn't able to include here in the links above. Hope this helps with your writing!