Nature of Pregnancy

• Pregnancy is the period when a woman carries a baby.
• Pregnancy is the condition of carrying the embryo after fertilization for 280 days or 40 weeks.
• Signs of pregnancy includes:

  Changes in skin

  Changes in breasts

  Increased size of abdomen

  Fetal heartbeat
• Some areas of the skin becomes temporarily heavily pigmented and disappears after birth.
• Milk secretion forms as the mother is prepared for nursing.
• There is a slight bulge of the lower abdomen around third or fourth month of pregnancy.
• Baby's heartbeat can be heard by a stethoscope around 4 and a half months.
• Symptoms of pregnancy include:

  Missed period

  Increased weight

  Morning sickness

  Frequency of urination
• During the first trimester, a fertilized egg is developed. The egg develops into an embryo and the eyes, nose, ears, heart, spinal cord, legs, arms, fingers, and toes are formed.
• During the first trimester, sex organs develop on the third month and all body systems are now functioning.
• During the second trimester internal organs like the lungs and heart and other structures like hands, feet, and eyes are fully developed.
• During the second trimester, the fetus starts to swallow and create crying motions. The mother can feel the baby's movement and irregular breathing.
• During the first trimester, a six-month fetus can already hear sounds and react to them by moving inside the womb.
• During the third trimester, the baby increases size and weight and the body parts and system develop until birth.
• The average Filipino baby has a birth weight of 2.7 to 3kg or 6 to 7 lbs, and is about 30 to 50 cm long.
• Changes during pregnancy include:

  Secretion of hormones

  Increased appetite

  Adjustment of heart to increased blood volume

  Respiratory function changes

  Increased urine volume

  Increased maternal weight gain
• Pregnant women secrete hormones like estrogen, progesterone, human growth hormone, insulin, and others.
• Increased appetite is needed to meet increasing nutrient requirements.
• Heart adjusts to the increased blood volume in circulation and larger body mass. This is seen when a pregnant woman's heart rate increases from 70 to 85 bpm.
• Respiratory function changes to provide for the needs of the mom and baby. Oxygen needs increase because of high metabolic rate and additional tissue mass in the uterus and breasts.
• Increase urine volume may cause the mother to experience thirst.
• Increase maternal weight gain is because of the placenta, fetus, amniotic fluid, mother's fluid, blood, and fat. This weight gain may also change the mother's body posture.
• Complications during pregnancy include:

  Nausea and vomiting

  Constipation and hemorrhoids

  Heartburn

  Edema

  Foodborne illness
• Nausea and vomiting are also called morning sickness.
• Nausea and vomiting occur in the earlier weeks of pregnancy and subside before the end of the third month when the woman adjusts to the hormonal changes.
• To prevent morning sickness, you must:

  Get up slowly when waking up

  Eat dry toast or crackers

  Chew gum or hard candy

  Eat small frequent meals

  Avoid food with offensive odor

  Don't drink citrus juice, water, milk, coffee, or tea
• Constipation is the difficulty of the feces to pass which may cause hemorrhoids or enlargement of rectal veins.
• To prevent constipation or hemorrhoids, you must:

  Eat food rich in fiber

  Be active and exercise daily

  Drink 8 glasses of liquid per day

  Respond to prompt defecation

  Use laxatives only prescribed by physician
• Heartburn is burning sensation in chest or throat.
• To prevent heartburn, you must:

  Eat small frequent meals

  Drink liquids between meals

  Avoid spicy or greasy food

  Sit up while eating

  Wait for 1 hour after eating before laying down

  Wait for 2 hours after eating before exercising
• Edema or slight swelling of feet is caused by water retention in the body.
• To prevent edema, you must:

  Avoid food high in sodium

  Elevate the feet when sitting or lying down to lessen the swelling
• You must avoid table salt, dried fish, bagoong, and other salty foods to prevent edema.
• Foodborne illness is caused by food bacteria.
• To prevent foodborne illness, you must:

  Cook food thoroughly

  Wash all fruits and vegetable thoroughly

  Store uncooked meat and separate them from others

  Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards with hot soapy water after handling uncooked food

  Avoid unpasteurized dairy products
• Prenatal care includes:

  Diet

  Mental attitude

  Clothing

  Bathing

  Activity

  Exercise
• Adequate and regular prenatal care ensures normal development of fetus.
• Complications of the fetus can be seen in prenatal checkups.
• Mother's diet must be rich in growth-producing substances such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Pregnant woman should have a relaxed, happy attitude and enjoy social activities.