Stages of Pregnancy - Balanced Diet | Exercise in Pregnancy Stages

Your body experiences several changes as you progress through different Stages of Pregnancy. Tracking the changes is crucial for a healthier birth. Try to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle to promote normal growth and development of your baby in the womb. The following guide to the three Stages of Pregnancy offers you all necessary information and valuable tips about your pregnancy and related issues. This would also help you to understand when you should seek medical assistance and how to manage labor.

First Trimester (First 12 weeks of pregnancy)

In the beginning you would start experiencing a host of Pregnancy symptoms including morning sickness, breasts discomforts, fatigue, nausea, etc. The uterus feels soft and starts stretching.
Eat a well-balanced diet. You need 2200 Kcal per day. Start taking more vitamins, minerals and fibers with all essential nutrients in correct proportions. Take lots of water to maintain body hydration.
Exercise regularly. This would help you to overcome fatigue, stress and would prepare your body for healthier growth and development of the baby.
Talk to doctors and caregivers to know more about prenatal care.
Go for regular medical check-ups to keep track of your baby’s growth.
By the end of the 12 th week, the fetus is 3.4 inches long and weighs about 2 ounce. Vital organs start forming. Arms and limbs begin to grow too.

Second Trimester (13-28 weeks of pregnancy)

During this Stages of Pregnancy your stomach keeps on expanding and is noticeable.
Nausea, vomiting, amenorrhea continue. You may notice skin pigmentation on forehead and abdomen. These, however, disappear after the birth of your baby.
Frequent ‘quickening’ or active fetal movements can be felt. This is a positive evidence of carrying a live fetus in the womb. You can also hear the heartbeats and feel the ‘kicking’ movements as well.
With progressive enlargement of uterus, you will also experience some common Pregnancy discomforts like sleep disorders, Braxton Hicks contractions, odorous vaginal discharge, etc.
Stick to your balanced diets and exercise schedules. Your dietary calorie intake is now 2500 Kcal daily. Extra calcium doses are also prescribed during this stage.
Free-hand exercises would help to reduce backaches and strengthen abdominal muscles and joints. Try to keep the weight gain under control.
By the end of the 28 th week, the fetus is well-formed and all vital organs and systems start functioning. It is now 15.75 inches long and weighs about 2.4 pounds.

Third Trimester (29-40 weeks of pregnancy)

You are close to the full-term Stages of Pregnancy. Your belly has grown to the fullest too.
Visit the doctor to verify the normal progress of your baby. Find out the due date and start planning the birth.
You start feeling more sensitive and anxious about your baby’s well-being. It’s the time to seek assistance of caregivers and health professionals to know more about postnatal cares including breastfeeding.
You may experience painful uterine contractions on the onset of early labor during the 37 th week. These events would continue till the full-term, varying in patterns, frequencies and intensity. The common signs of true labor are contractions at regular intervals with increasing intensity and duration, “show”, progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix and the formation of the “bags of water”.
You feel more emotionally attached to the unborn. Sleep disorders continue and physical discomforts such as backaches prevail. You need to take a lot of rest now.
Watch your dietary intakes. You may need to resume small frequent feedings to prevent heartburn.
Do exercise to relieve stress and feel comfortable while moving. Shortness of breath is common on exertion. You may need to reduce the intensity of your exercise regimen if you are becoming too winded.
Now prepare yourself mentally and physically for the delivery.