The Three Pregnancy Stages Characterized by Morning Sickness

When a woman experiences morning sickness, nausea and vomiting these are signs that she could be pregnant. Pregnancy is the bearing or carrying of one or more babies in ones’ womb for a period of nine months. During this period the baby in the womb is called a fetus or an embryo.

Pregnancy occurs when the male and female gametes meet. This usually happens during sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. Though in these modern days it is possible to be pregnant without sexual intercourse, this is because of the use of other scientific methods such as artificial insemination and vitro fertilization. However, the process of merging the male gamete and the female gamete is known as fertilization or conception.

After conception the woman will carry the baby in the womb for not less than 38 weeks. This period is divided into three stages i.e. the first trimester, the second trimester and the third trimester. The first trimester is the period of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. During this stage the embryo starts developing in the mother’s womb. There are several developmental changes that take place in the embryo causing the woman’s body to undergo several hormonal changes. The body of the woman and more especially the breasts change in shape, size and color. This hormonal imbalances cause what is known as morning sickness.

Morning sickness occurs in almost all women during the first trimester. It causes a woman to have nausea and vomiting while pregnant. Vomiting while pregnant and nausea happen during the morning hours and therefore this is the reason for the term morning sickness. . However, there are several cases when a woman experiences nausea in the afternoon and even at night. Morning sickness occurs in the first trimester between the week six and twelve of the pregnancy.

The second trimester is the period between week thirteen and twenty eight of pregnancy. During this period the pregnant woman starts to feel better and even comfortable with the pregnancy. Instances of vomiting while pregnant start reducing. Morning sickness and nausea also reduce tremendously. By this time the embryo has developed to a fetus and has taken shape to look like a human being. The fetus can even make some movements using the limbs that are already formed. The woman also puts on weight at this stage and the belly can now show.

The third trimester is the period after week thirteen of pregnancy to the day of delivery. At this stage the fetus grows rapidly and starts turning around. The woman may start feeling pain at the back and the abdomen. Constipation and feeling that the baby may be born at any time are common at this stage. Cases of morning sickness, vomiting while pregnant and nausea are almost unknown at the third trimester but the woman feels tired and exhausted most of the time. The pregnant woman should avoid exerting a lot of pressure and carrying heavy luggage because most women usually have premature births at this stage. Pregnancy can be a good experience but also if not well taken care of can cause the death of both the mother and child.

Sheila A Smith is the author of this article on morning sickness. Find more information, about nausea here