A full term pregnancy goes through three trimesters:
- The first occurs between weeks 1 and 13.
- The second between weeks 14 and 26.
- The final lap from week 27 till birth.
During this period, hormonal changes affect almost all the organs.
Changes to be observed during the first trimester:
1 - Morning sickness which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
2 - Dietary changes like craving for ice blocks, coal, chalk etc. is reasonably common.
3 - The skin becomes dry and flaky, and spots may appear on the face or body.
4 - Mood swings are very common and can even affect the libido of the expectant mother.
5 - The breast and nipples become enlarged, sensitive and very painful.
Measures that a mother should take to ease the process:
1 - Eating in bits or eating dry foods like biscuits does the trick for regulating the nausea.
2 - Using body oil or shea butter can moisten the skin.
3 - It is recommended that women wear loose braziers to avoid excessive perspiration.
4 - High fibre diet, fruits, vegetables and lots of fluids are highly recommended.
5 - Partners should be considerate during this time as the woman is going through some traumatic changes.
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