Third month of pregnancy
The first trimester ends with the third month - one of the most difficult periods of pregnancy. For a woman who is pregnant for the first time in her life, all changes in her own body are unusual, and those who are not suffering from their first pregnancy have the opportunity to note the difference or similarity of sensations.
Content:
- Feelings at 3 months
- Signs of pregnancy
- What happens to the fetus?
- Pain sensations
- Vaginal discharge
- Visit doctor
- Intimate relationship
- Formation of the diet
Feelings at 3 months
Hormonal changes in the body continue to cause increased sleepiness and fatigue in a pregnant woman. All the forces of the body are aimed at conserving resources for the formation of the fetus, ensuring its life. The psyche of a woman at this stage may differ from her usual state - forgetfulness, absent-mindedness and inattention, sometimes unreasonable laughter or tears appear. There is no need to be afraid of this, just as there is no need to correct such conditions with medication. All manifestations will disappear after a few weeks.
Women who endure early pregnancy toxicosis can still feel its manifestations in the form of morning sickness, dizziness, and increased salivation. If these phenomena are severe, you should consult a doctor. The implicit manifestations of toxicosis will also soon subside, or completely disappear.
Due to the restructuring of the circulatory system, changes in vascular tone, a pregnant woman may experience frequent headaches. In the third month of pregnancy, it is still undesirable to take medications, so during a headache attack, just relax and rest in a semi-dark room. In this situation, contrasting compresses in the form of a towel, alternately moistened with cool and hot water, can help. The procedure is repeated for 15 minutes. Increased blood circulation in the body of a pregnant woman from time to time can cause a feeling of heat.
Signs of pregnancy
In most women, in the third month, the belly is not yet visible, however, the waist has become noticeably rounded and the chest has increased. The mammary glands enlarge so much that stretch marks appear on the breast skin. Moisturizers, lubricating the skin of the breast with peach or olive oil will help from the appearance of a cosmetic defect. Itching and tingling may be felt in the breasts of sensitive women. The areola of the nipple has become much darker than it was before pregnancy. An excess of melanin is felt not only in the darkening of the nipples, but in the appearance of a dark strip of skin between the navel and the pubis, darkening of the skin of the perineum.
Due to changes in the circulatory system, some women have a venous mesh on their legs. This indicates a predisposition to varicose veins.
To prevent the situation from getting worse, you need to take precautions:
- Spend less time "on your feet", sit or lie more often;
- Do not sit on a chair without a back, as well as do not sit with your legs crossed;
- Control weight without allowing significant gain;
- Wear compression tights or stockings.
Frequent urination in most women does not feel as acute as in the first month of pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the uterus has left the small pelvis, and no longer presses so intensely on the bladder.
Many women in their third month of pregnancy are surprised to feel the weight gain. This is due to the accumulation of fat in the body - a genetically programmed phenomenon, provided by nature in the event of breastfeeding a child in extreme conditions.
What happens to the fetus?
At the border of the second third month, the embryo acquired the right to be called a fetus. Outwardly, it looks like a miniature copy of a little man, with a disproportionately large head. During this month, the fetus intensively develops all organs and systems. His heart regularly pumps blood through the body, contracting at a speed of 150 beats per minute.
The musculoskeletal system of the unborn child is so developed that he actively moves in the uterine cavity, bends and unbends the arms and legs. A fully formed placenta is responsible for his breathing and blood supply, which has become an additional barrier that protects the baby from infections and damage.
The facial expressions of the fetus are so developed that they can swallow, open their mouths, and swallow. The eyelids have already formed, but they do not open yet, but the baby already knows how to frown. The weight of the fetus by the end of 3 months is 70-90 g, the length from the crown to the heels is 10 cm.
When conducting an ultrasound scan, it is not yet possible to consider the sex of the unborn child, although the fetus has already developed sexual characteristics.
Pain sensations
The threat of miscarriage in women predisposed to it with increased uterine tone is gradually decreasing. If there are pains of a spasmodic nature in the lower abdomen, radiating to the lower back, in combination with secretions similar to menstrual blood with clots, you should immediately seek emergency help. These sensations can be a sign of spontaneous abortion. With timely assistance, pregnancy can be saved.
Pain in the right or left abdomen without atypical discharge is a symptom of a sprain of the round ligament that supports the growing uterus. These pains are not dangerous, they appear after a woman stands or walks for a long time, and disappear if she lies down to rest. To prevent such pains, you can master relaxation techniques, rest more often.
Lower back pain, in the region of the spine, can be caused by the effects of progesterone, which has a relaxing effect on the spinal discs. Another reason is the shift in the usual center of gravity due to the changed proportions of the pregnant woman's body.
Vaginal discharge
Discharge in the third month of pregnancy may slightly increase in volume due to hormonal effects, but their structure does not change. This is a thick discharge of white or gray color, which does not have a pronounced odor and does not cause unpleasant sensations to a pregnant woman.
If curdled inclusions appeared in the discharge, they began to foam, changed their color to yellow or green - an infectious process began in the vagina. It can be candidiasis, colpitis, urethritis, ureaplasmosis, trichomoniasis and other diseases. If you suspect a pathology of the reproductive organs, you should take an analysis for urogenital infections, get a doctor's recommendation for treatment. Although the placenta is a strong defense, certain pathogenic bacteria can disrupt the natural course of pregnancy and harm the fetus.
Bloody, bloody discharge with clots may indicate an ongoing miscarriage or the presence of cervical erosion.
Visit doctor
If a woman has not yet registered with an antenatal clinic, now is the time to do it.
At the first visit, she will have to undergo the following examination:
- A blood test for anemia - for hemoglobin and hematocrit;
- General analysis of urine for the determination of protein in it, infections of the urinary system;
- Blood sugar;
- Coagulogram to determine the level of blood clotting;
- Blood for HIV, syphilis, determination of the causative agents of hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis, toxapalmosis;
- Smear for cytology and urogenital infections;
- Blood pressure measurement, weighing;
- Measurement of abdominal parameters - the height of the uterus and its size;
- Height measurement, weighing.
The third month of pregnancy is the time for the first trimester screening. It includes a double test to determine the content of specific hormones in the blood and an ultrasound scan. All these studies are aimed at identifying fetal abnormalities, genetic developmental pathologies (Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and other congenital diseases). Screening is done at 11-12 weeks of gestation. Compliance with the exact timing of the screening is very important, since an ultrasound doctor at this stage of pregnancy can diagnose a congenital disease according to certain parameters of the neck area of the fetus and the ratio of the bones of its skull.
In addition, a pregnant woman, who is registered for the first time due to pregnancy, should consult a surgeon, otolaryngologist, ophthalmologist, dentist to identify somatic diseases, and undergo a cardiogram.
Intimate relationship
Sexual contact in the third month of pregnancy may be contraindicated in several cases:
- Hypertonicity of the uterus;
- Risk of miscarriage;
- Multiple pregnancy;
- Genital infection in a spouse.
In all other cases, intimate relationships are not harmful at all. On the contrary, positive emotions will benefit a pregnant woman. Do not be afraid that the child will be harmed during sexual intercourse. It is well protected by the uterus and amniotic fluid. If minor bleeding occurs during sex, see a doctor. Most likely, this is a sign of cervical erosion, traumatized during sexual intercourse.
Formation of the diet
The nutritional requirements of a woman in the third month of pregnancy are balanced in the main nutrients, high-quality and energetically rich menu. The formation of fetal organs, increased requirements for the functioning of the mother's body require the inclusion in the menu of products with high energy value, enclosed in the minimum volume of the dish.
You should eat fractionally - at least 5-6 times a day in small portions. Boiled chicken, rabbit, and veal will be a source of high-quality protein. To get a mother the calcium she needs, a woman's diet includes dairy products: cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, fermented baked milk. To replenish the supply of fiber, vitamins and trace elements, vegetables, fruits, and herbs are used. The body of a pregnant woman will receive useful carbohydrates from cereals and processed cereal products - whole grain bread, porridge with water and milk.
In the third month, such phenomena as constipation and increased gas production in pregnant women are not uncommon. The reduced rate of movement of the food bolus through the intestine is associated with the relaxing effect of progesterone. In addition, the growing uterus compresses the intestines. To normalize peristalsis, it is advisable to remove legumes, foods high in sugar, fatty foods, cabbage from the diet.
There is a reliable way to deal with constipation - drink a glass of kefir at night, eat a few pieces of prunes, eat more vegetables and fruits. During the day, for the same purpose, drink a glass of cool water in small sips.
To avoid edema, you should not consume a lot of salt (no more than 3-4 g per day). Water is an essential component of well-being. It should be consumed no more than 1.5 liters per day, including soups, tea, compote. It is advisable to exclude confectionery buns, fried foods, semi-finished products, foods with dyes and preservatives from your menu.
Video about maintaining pregnancy, healthy lifestyle, medical supervision in case of a threat of miscarriage:
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
