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How to recognize fetal movement during pregnancy? When does fetal movement begin during first pregnancy? Why does pregnancy stop? Can this be prevented? Arterial hypertension is dangerous for the development of convulsive syndrome

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For centuries, future parents had to wait for the birth of their child to find out his gender.

Now there are different methods for determining the sex of a child, ranging from folk signs and ancient Chinese tables to modern medical procedures.


1. How to find out the gender of the child according to the table?

According to the legend chinese sex determination table baby was found in an ancient royal tomb in China. She predicts the gender of the baby based on the Chinese lunar calendar.

In this case, you need to know mother's age at conception And month of conception to determine whether you will have a girl or a boy.

There is no scientific confirmation that this method works, but you can test it on your friends and relatives.


2. Gender of the child by date of conception

According to this method, the sex of the unborn child is determined by date of conception and depends on the type of sperm.

It is believed that Y sperm, which will lead to the birth of a boy, are faster and less hardy than X chromosome sperm, which are slower but more resistant.


Thus, if conception occurred 2-3 days before a woman ovulates, then you are more likely to give birth to a girl. If conception took place directly on the day of ovulation or shortly before it, then a boy is more likely to appear.

The day of ovulation can be determined by measuring basal body temperature or by using home ovulation tests.

3. Calculate the sex of the child by blood


According to this theory, the sex of an unborn child can be determined based on renewal of the blood of parents. It is believed that in women the blood is renewed every 3 years, and in men - once every 4 years. The gender of a child is determined by which parent has "fresh" blood.

For example, a woman is 26 years old and a man is 28 years old. If 26 divided by 3 we get 8.6, and 28 divided by 4 we get 8. Since the remainder of the woman (8.6) is greater than that of the man, then the probability of having a boy is more likely.

It is also worth remembering that in the case of blood donation and transfusion, operations, childbirth and other blood loss, it is worth taking the date of the last blood loss.


Gender of the child by blood group

Another entertaining theory of determining the sex of an unborn child is based on blood type and Rh factor of parents. The intersection of the blood type of the mother and father, as well as the Rh factors, indicates whether you will have a boy or a girl.



4. Gender of the child according to signs

There are many ways to determine the sex of a child, which our grandmothers and mothers also resorted to. Of course, these methods are not considered reliable, as they have not been validated. Some of them seem to be true because they are about 50 percent accurate, and there are others that have been partly scientifically proven.

Gender of baby by belly


If you carry the child low - you have a boy, if high - you have a girl. There is also an opinion that if the expectant mother the shape of the abdomen is pointed - there will be a boy, and more rounded - a girl.

However, according to experts, the shape of the abdomen is determined by the muscles, uterine tone and position of the child, and not by the gender of the baby.

According to the latest data, breast volume is the best indicator of the sex of the unborn child. In women bearing girls, the breasts become larger during pregnancy (by an average of 8 cm) than in women bearing boys (by an average of 6.3 cm). This is because boys produce more testosterone and require more energy from the mother, which inhibits breast growth more.

Gender of baby by heartbeat


According to the signs, if you have a girl, then the fetal heart rate will be higher than 140 per minute, and if a boy, then less than 140. In fact, the fetal heartbeat changes as it grows and develops, as well as during an increase in the activity of the child. However, it has been scientifically proven that the heart rate of girls rises more during childbirth than that of boys.

Folk signs for determining the sex of a child


The couple will have girl if:

Mother's appearance deteriorated, acne appeared

Dad started gaining weight

Mom is craving sweets

Expectant mother suffers from severe morning sickness

Parents are over 40 years old

If you hang a wedding ring over your stomach, it moves back and forth

The couple will have boy if:

Mother's appearance improved

Dry hands, cold feet

Draws on salty and sour

mother is stressed

Significantly increased appetite, calorie intake

If you hang a wedding ring over your stomach, it moves in a circle.

5. Gender of the child by ultrasound


One of the most accurate methods of determining the sex of a baby during pregnancy is an ultrasound or ultrasound, during which high-frequency sound waves create an image of your baby inside the uterus.

Ultrasound is performed not to determine the sex of the child, but in order to find out whether the child is developing correctly.

Depending on the gestational age and the position of the fetus, the doctor can tell for sure whether you are carrying a boy or a girl.

At what time can you determine the sex of the child?


boy ultrasound


ultrasound girls

Most often, the method of determining the sex of a child by ultrasound is the most accurate. between 18 and 26 weeks of gestation. Although new ultrasound technologies can determine the sex of the child at an earlier period of 12-13 weeks.

Up to 18 weeks of fetal development, male and female genital organs are more similar and therefore the probability of error is high. Later dates also complicate this task due to the closer position of the fetus.

It is worth remembering that if the child is in an uncomfortable position for examination or crosses his legs, this may hide the genital area from observation.

Gender of the child: is the ultrasound wrong?


Ultrasound is not a 100% method, and the probability of error depends on several factors:

Pregnancy age (the higher, the more accurate)

Equipment (3D ultrasound is usually more accurate)

The professionalism of the doctor conducting the ultrasound

Mother's weight (the fatter the mother, the lower the image quality)

Fetal positions

Exist more accurate methods for determining the sex of the unborn child (almost 100 percent), but they are carried out as needed and are accompanied by a high risk for pregnancy. This amniocentesis(puncture of the fetal bladder) and chorionic villus biopsy. They are carried out at an earlier date: in the first and the beginning of the second trimester.

Amniocentesis is performed between 15-18 weeks pregnancy. The doctor inserts a long needle to take a sample of the amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac, which contains the baby's cells. As a rule, this test is ordered if there is an increased risk of abnormalities in the child and disorders related to the sex of the child.

Chorionic villus biopsy is performed between 11 and 14 weeks, and this method is also used only if it is possible for the child to develop disorders.

Miscarriage is a pathology in which the fetus stops its development and dies.
Another name for this pathology is frozen pregnancy.
Its variety is an empty fetal egg. In this case, the fertilization of the egg occurs normally, but the embryo does not develop further.

Experts still cannot name the exact causes of a missed pregnancy; in the early stages, as a rule, these are serious genetic disorders in the embryo (in 70% of cases).

At a later date, a frozen pregnancy (second trimester and later) can be triggered by infectious diseases of a woman, traumatic effects, etc.

However, there are times when the pregnancy stops for no apparent reason; a woman can have two missed pregnancies and 3 missed pregnancies.

But do not despair! Just as spontaneous conception can occur after unsuccessful fertility treatment, it is also possible to become pregnant after a miscarriage.

Causes of missed pregnancy

In the early stages (and during pregnancy planning), the causes of the development of pathology may be the following:

  • nicotine and alcohol use;
  • the use of a number of drugs;
  • infectious diseases (flu, cytomegalovirus; rubella is especially dangerous);
  • STDs (gonorrhea, syphilis, mycoplasmosis, etc.);
  • diabetes;
  • hormonal imbalance (lack of progesterone or estrogen);
  • a violent immune response of the mother's body (in this case, the proteins of the embryo are perceived as foreign, and an immune attack takes place on them);
  • antiphospholipid syndrome (the formation of blood clots in the vessels of the placenta, as a result of which the nutrition of the embryo is disturbed, and it dies);
  • work in hazardous production;
  • weight lifting;
  • regular stress.

The following groups of women are most at risk of pregnancy fading:

  • over the age of 35;
  • having had many abortions;
  • women who have previously been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy;
  • women with abnormal development of the uterus;

The most dangerous period is the eighth week of pregnancy. At this stage of development, the fetus is particularly susceptible to teratogenic effects, which can result in a frozen fetus. Pregnancy (it doesn’t matter if the first or second missed pregnancy) in this case stops developing.

The first trimester (weeks 1 to 13) is generally more dangerous for fetal development; you need to be especially careful at 3-4 and 8-11 weeks.

However, the second trimester of pregnancy also carries a risk (signs of a missed pregnancy will be indicated below), especially weeks 16-18.

How to determine a frozen pregnancy?

The fetus froze, and the pregnancy does not develop further. However, in the early stages (in the first and even in the second trimester of pregnancy), signs of a missed pregnancy cannot always be recognized. At home, no test will show a frozen pregnancy.

In different women, the symptoms may vary, or a frozen pregnancy does not manifest itself at all for several weeks. Therefore, you should not search the Internet for signs of a missed pregnancy; Forum in this case will not be the best adviser.

Symptoms also do not depend on whether the first pregnancy is missed, or the woman has already had 2 missed pregnancies or 3 missed pregnancies.

The list below is not an unambiguous indicator of a miscarriage. However, if symptoms occur that may indicate a missed pregnancy (in the early stages), the most correct decision would be to contact a gynecologist:

  • sudden cessation of toxicosis;
  • cramping pains;
  • spotting spotting;
  • cessation of swelling of the mammary glands;
  • basal temperature during a frozen pregnancy decreases;
  • the general temperature during a frozen pregnancy may be elevated.

A frozen pregnancy in the second trimester and a frozen pregnancy in the later stages are determined by the cessation of fetal movements.

How to determine a frozen pregnancy - diagnosis

As mentioned above, if a woman finds signs of a missed pregnancy, an Internet forum, advice from friends and attempts to make a diagnosis on her own will not be the best way out of the situation. Even if the basal temperature is lowered (with a frozen pregnancy, this is one of the symptoms), if a woman has a first pregnancy - this pregnancy is dead or not, only a specialist doctor can determine.

What methods are used to diagnose “frozen pregnancy” (in the second trimester or in the early stages and “frozen pregnancy in the late stages”)?

1. Analysis for hCG.
The level of this hormone during a missed pregnancy is lower than it should be during a normal pregnancy at that time (first or second trimester) - thus, the test will show a missed pregnancy. However, it must be borne in mind that a high level of hCG can persist for several weeks after the first or second miscarriage has occurred. The fetus froze - but the hormonal background has not changed.

2. Ultrasound.
If a missed pregnancy is diagnosed during an ultrasound examination, the video “shows” the absence of a heartbeat in the fetus.

3. Gynecological examination.
A low basal temperature during a missed pregnancy, the size of the uterus corresponding to the gestational age - all this is determined by the doctor.

Also, it is the specialist gynecologist who prescribes the necessary treatment after a missed pregnancy, prescribes tests after a missed pregnancy, determines the planning of pregnancy after a missed pregnancy.

If a woman is diagnosed with a missed pregnancy, an Internet forum is unlikely to help in treatment; All appointments must be made by a physician.

Treatment after a frozen pregnancy.

Unfortunately, when pregnancy stops, it is no longer about preserving the fetus, but about restoring the health of the woman. A fetus that has stopped developing can cause intoxication of the body, so it must be removed from the uterus.

Often in the earliest terms, a woman has a spontaneous abortion; it even happens that a woman does not suspect that she had a frozen pregnancy, menstruation comes with a slight delay.

If a missed pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment is carried out by the following methods:

  • Medical. Used for less than 8 weeks. Drugs that cause miscarriage are prescribed.
  • Vacuum aspiration (mini-abortion). The operation is usually performed under anesthesia with the use of vacuum suction, which cleans the uterine cavity.

It also happens that doctors take a wait-and-see attitude; if for some reason a missed pregnancy occurs, the woman's body produces treatment on its own, by spontaneous abortion.

But in any case, medical supervision is necessary. If a spontaneous miscarriage has not occurred, it is necessary to clean (curettage after a frozen pregnancy) the uterine cavity. Also, curettage after a frozen pregnancy is necessary if, after one to two weeks, an ultrasound scan shows the presence of remnants of the fetal egg in the uterus.

Planning for pregnancy after a missed pregnancy

How can you get pregnant after a missed pregnancy? When to get pregnant after a missed pregnancy? This issue is resolved individually in each specific case - depending on the term of pregnancy fading, the general health of the woman, the results of examinations, etc.
When asked when to plan a pregnancy after a missed pregnancy, an Internet forum is unlikely to be able to give an unambiguous answer - only the impressions of women who have had one or even two missed pregnancies.

On the recommendation of doctors, the minimum period is to wait six months. During this time, after the diagnosis of “missed pregnancy”, the consequences of such a pathological condition will decrease. One and especially two missed pregnancies have a negative impact on a woman's body. It is necessary to take a number of preventive measures in order to exclude fetal fading in the future.

What tests to take after a frozen pregnancy?

Before you become pregnant after a missed pregnancy, it is recommended to pass the following tests:

  • blood test for hormone levels (progesterone and estrogen);
  • vaginal smear for STDs;
  • Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
  • examination of uterine tissues (histology).

After a missed pregnancy, it may also be necessary to conduct a genetic test for the compatibility of partners.

Prevention of fading pregnancy

How to get pregnant after a missed pregnancy? Is it possible? Yes, it is possible! doctors say.

Why pregnancy freezes is not exactly known until now. However, not one woman gave birth after a missed pregnancy; to give birth to a healthy child is quite real. Of course, if necessary (according to the results of the tests), you need to undergo treatment.

Before planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to get vaccinated against rubella and chickenpox. This is especially true for women who are at risk - in this case, this is work in children's institutions, where you can easily become infected with these diseases. You should also treat sexually transmitted diseases, take a general strengthening course of vitamins, and stimulate the immune system. The treatment regimen must be agreed with the attending physician.

And if all test results are normal, then treatment may not be required.

The best protection against fetal fading is a healthy lifestyle when planning a pregnancy.

Many future mothers are interested in a completely understandable question: how to independently determine the presentation of the fetus in order to be able to seek help from a doctor in a timely manner. Such information is also important for the gynecologist-obstetrician, who, according to the position of the fetus, decides on the issue of natural or artificial childbirth. Sometimes it happens that the child takes the wrong position, and you need to understand this as early as possible in order to be able to influence the course of events and adjust the location for natural delivery.

Location of the fetus

Why is the child in the wrong position?

There are several reasons why a child may be in the wrong position:

  • Second and subsequent births.
  • Polyhydramnios is a pathology indicating an excess of amniotic fluid.
  • Low position of the placenta.
  • Pathologies of intrauterine development.
  • Various diseases of the uterus.

As a rule, all changes are diagnosed by a gynecologist in a timely manner, so it is possible to resolve this issue without risking the health of the baby and the expectant mother.

Many future parents are concerned about the course of labor, and how to independently determine the position of the fetus in order to be able to influence the situation in time. There are several methods for detecting previa. Heartbeat detection is one of them.

The laying of the baby's heart begins at the end of the first month of pregnancy. You can listen to the correctness of the heartbeat in the early stages only with the help of ultrasound. It is possible to independently hear how the heart beats only from the twentieth week. The gynecologist listens to the heart with a special tube, and determines parameters such as frequency, beat, rhythm, tone.

The easiest and most accessible method to understand what position the baby has taken is to listen to his heart. For this procedure, you will need a stethoscope, maximum patience and good luck. In order to hear the heartbeat, you need to concentrate on the beats. To catch them, you must first determine where the baby is in the stomach, so you need to start listening from the lower abdomen.

In the front upper part of the abdomen, you can not listen, since the rhythm can be heard there, but not clear. The best way to listen is to place the stethoscope on the side of the abdomen, where the back of the fetus is often located. Having found the most audible place, you can understand how the baby lies, and whether it is worth performing some actions to position him.

It is best to listen to the rhythm while lying down, while calming down and taking a comfortable position. In addition to the correct location, the mother can count the number of strokes, which is normally 120-160 per minute. If there are more than 200, then it is recommended to consult a gynecologist, as this may indicate various complications.

A muffled tone may indicate a pelvic location of the fetus, oligohydramnios, placental insufficiency. If there is a reduced heart rate, then you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, who will give a referral to the hospital.

Map of the abdomen and location of the fetus

If you want to understand how to determine the presentation of the fetus yourself without an ultrasound, you can draw up a map of the abdomen that will show where the baby is. Initially, you should push the baby to action: stroke the stomach, talk to the child, activating his activity. After that, you need to lie down and relax. In this state, a map is drawn up where you can observe the following movements:

  • The child makes the strongest blows with his legs. He often kicks with his heels. The area where the most tangible impacts are observed indicates the area where the legs are located.
  • Light, but well-perceptible movements, with a small frequency - these are the handles.
  • Feel the abdomen, where there is a flat and hard part - this is most likely the back.
  • You can easily detect the ass, as a rule, in the third week it sticks out in different parts of the mother's abdomen.

If convenient, such a map can even be drawn, so that later you can refer to it every week. It is best to feel the baby already in the last three months, when the fetus has grown and is actively moving. Listening to herself, the mother can easily determine where the baby is and the question of how to understand how the baby lies in the stomach by movements will not arise.

How to determine the presentation of the fetus by perturbation

An attentive mother will definitely recognize the signals that the baby gives, and will be able to determine its location. It will be useful for inexperienced mothers to learn a few interesting factors that will help draw the right conclusions:

  • When the navel sticks out, stroke the belly and feel a strong jolt under the ribs. This means that it is the back of the baby that sticks out.
  • Slightly press on the tubercle that has arisen under the breast, if the baby moves, then you crushed the buttocks. If there is no movement, it is the head.
  • More often in pregnant women, the stomach protrudes well, but if it has become flatter, and only shocks are noted in the navel, most likely the back of the fetus is next to yours.
  • Many mothers can sometimes hear how the baby hiccups. Such a factor indicates that the child is lying upside down, provided that rhythmic hiccups are heard below the navel. If hiccups are felt under the breast, then the head of the fetus is at the top. Parents' interest in how to determine how the baby lies in the stomach is understandable, since it provides an opportunity to communicate with the baby even in the womb.
  • Sometimes women notice severe pain under the ribs in late pregnancy. This suggests that the baby has taken the correct position for birth, and the legs are knocking on the mother's ribs.
  • Sometimes pain is completely absent, which indicates that the child lies head down and back to the stomach.
  • If a heartbeat is found at the level of the navel, then the fetal head is under the breast. The rhythm is clearly heard in the lower part, then the buttocks are located under the mother's breasts.

It is useful for the expectant mother to know that until the third trimester the baby is actively spinning, there is enough space for him, and he can change his position every few hours. In the third trimester, the baby grows up, activity decreases, and he retains his position for a longer period. Therefore, there are guaranteed ways to understand how to determine the presentation of the fetus by movement.

How to rotate the fetus yourself

Before proceeding with any actions, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound scan and determine the correct position of the child. If the baby has taken the wrong position, then certain activities are carried out in order to be in time before birth.

Physical exercises should be started after 32 weeks, when the fetus has already taken a comfortable position, and it seems that it is not going to change it. The complex of classes is quite simple and effective, but it must be agreed with the gynecologist-obstetrician.

Every day you need to monitor the behavior of the fetus, but for this you need to know how to determine the location of the child in the abdomen. If everything is done correctly, then every day a woman will observe unhurried and unhurried coups. The effectiveness of such classes is 75%, so you should definitely try to change the situation for the better.

The lifestyle of the expectant mother also helps to resolve the issue. Experts recommend sitting only on hard chairs, swimming, walking, and eating healthy foods. All these moments work perfectly in a complex, help the baby to position himself correctly, and will be born naturally.

Maria Sokolova


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Missed pregnancy is one of the types of miscarriage, in which the intrauterine development of the fetus stops. Most often this occurs in the first trimester, much less often in the second and third. At the same time, a woman may not notice for a long time that the embryo has stopped developing.

Therefore, today we decided to tell you about the first signs of a missed pregnancy.

How to determine a frozen pregnancy in time?

In each trimester of pregnancy, the growth and development of the fetus depend on many factors (explicit and implicit). Sometimes it happens that an accidental combination of circumstances can lead to a halt in the development of the fetus. This is what in modern medicine is called a frozen pregnancy. How to recognize it?

This pathology has fairly accurate symptoms, so doctors can make a similar diagnosis without much difficulty.

The most important symptom is, of course, that any signs of pregnancy disappear completely. But in no case should you wind yourself up and make such a diagnosis yourself.

If you have any doubts, immediately contact your obstetrician-gynecologist . He will examine you and will do an ultrasound . Only after that the whole picture will become clear: did the child stop in development, or is it just your nerves being naughty.

The most certain symptoms of a missed pregnancy

Unfortunately, in the early stages there are no obvious signs of pregnancy fading. Such a diagnosis can be made after an ultrasound .

A woman may feel that toxicosis, gastronomic whims, pain in the mammary glands, etc. have abruptly stopped. But this does not mean that there is no more pregnancy.

Such a diagnosis can only be made by a gynecologist after an examination and identification of the following symptoms:

  • The fetus has no heartbeat;
  • The size of the uterus is smaller than expected at this stage of pregnancy;
  • Decreased in the pregnant woman's blood

Signs of a missed pregnancy in the early stages

  • Eliminate toxicity. In women suffering from severe toxicosis, this fact will certainly cause unrest. Then you felt bad in the morning, you were sick from pungent odors, and suddenly everything returned to normal. But the second trimester is still quite far away.
  • Milk glands stop hurting and become softer. These manifestations of a missed pregnancy can be noticed by all women. The chest stops hurting 3-6 days after the death of the fetus.
  • Bloody issues. This clear sign of a miscarriage may only appear several weeks after the death of the fetus. Sometimes a small brownish discharge may appear, and then disappear. In such cases, women often think they “swept through”, but the fetus no longer develops.
  • Headache, weakness, fever(above 37.5), mild nausea - these symptoms are a bit similar to toxicosis, but some women observed them already 3-4 weeks after the pregnancy stopped. This is due to the fact that the decay products of the embryo enter the bloodstream.
  • Decreased basal body temperature- women who are very worried about the unborn baby can continue to measure basal temperature even after pregnancy. Most often, in the first trimester of pregnancy, the temperature stays around 37 degrees, when it fades, it drops sharply, because the body stops producing the hormones necessary for the development of the embryo.

But, unfortunately, not only in the first trimester of pregnancy, the embryo can stop developing, but also on later lines . If we talk about a missed miscarriage, then the risk persists until the 28th week.

Therefore, we will tell you about the signs of a missed pregnancy at a later date, because every expectant mother should know them.

Symptoms of a missed pregnancy at a later date

  • Cessation or absence of fetal movements. Usually, women begin to feel the baby's weak tremors at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy. It is from this moment that doctors recommend carefully monitoring the frequency of movements of the baby. The ideal option is more than 10 times a day. The number of movements will decrease, maybe only before childbirth, since the child is already large and there is not enough space for him. So, if you don’t feel the baby’s tremors for several hours, urgently go to the hospital. At first, this may be a sign of hypoxia (lack of oxygen), and if urgent measures are not taken, then pregnancy will fade.
  • The mammary glands have decreased in size , they lost tension, they softened. After intrauterine death of the baby, the mammary glands become soft for 3-6 days. This sign is very informative before the mother begins to feel the baby's movements.
  • Fetal heartbeat not heard . Of course, this symptom can only be accurately determined by ultrasound. However, after 20 weeks, the doctor can independently check the baby's heartbeat using a special obstetric stethoscope. An independent pregnant woman cannot check this sign in any way.

Not a single specialist will give you exact recommendations on how to identify a missed pregnancy at home. However, if you have any of the above symptoms, visit your OB/GYN.
We talked to women who faced a similar problem, and they told us what they began to worry about during a missed pregnancy.

Most first-time mothers naturally worry about how the pregnancy is going, whether it is going well, without complications, especially in the early stages. Currently, obstetricians and gynecologists are engaged in pregnancy management.

In order to optimally monitor the condition of the expectant mother and fetus, doctors recommend regularly attending a antenatal clinic.

Registration of a pregnant woman for dispensary registration

How can a woman understand that early pregnancy is going well? It is quite difficult to independently determine the nature of the course of pregnancy in the first trimester. Only qualified specialists can answer this question by conducting an appropriate examination. Therefore, it is very important that the pregnant woman visits the antenatal clinic as early as possible, preferably before 12 weeks.

If contraindications for maintaining pregnancy are identified, then in the first trimester you can still use gentle methods to terminate it. Timely registration at the dispensary and further regular visits to the obstetrician-gynecologist, according to the established schedule, largely determine the normal course of pregnancy.

The schedule of visits to the antenatal clinic, scheduled by the supervising doctor, must be observed unquestioningly.

Physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman

How can you understand that pregnancy is developing normally without taking into account the opinion of doctors? To do this, you need to focus on your general condition and feelings. Bearing a child will necessarily lead to physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman. What kind of changes in her body can a woman notice, which will indicate the normal course of pregnancy:

  • Appearance.
  • The performance of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
  • The functionality of the kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Appearance

It will be quite natural for a pregnant woman to acquire a characteristic appearance that was unusual for her before the conception of a child:

  • In addition to the appearance of the tummy, there is a slight increase in the size of the limbs, a decrease in the range of motion in the hip joints, and a change in facial features. Due to the shift in the center of gravity, the gait and posture of a woman changes.
  • There is a darkening of the skin (pigmentation) in the face, abdomen and peripapillary zone.
  • Become more visible veins on the lower extremities. Varicose veins may even appear, which was not typical before conception.
  • Due to an increase in the abdomen, so-called striae (stripes, stretch marks on the skin) are often formed on its surface.
  • During the period of bearing a child, in some cases, a moderate increase in body temperature (subfebrile condition) is recorded. As a rule, this is observed up to 4 months and is associated with the usual hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman. By the way, an increase in rectal temperature is considered to be one of the early signs of pregnancy.
  • The mammary glands undergo significant changes, swelling and an increase in the volume of which is simply impossible not to notice. The size of the nipples also increases. In addition, due to pigmentation, the nipples and areola become dark brown.

Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

As a rule, in the first trimester, low blood pressure is characteristic, but, starting from about the 29th week, there is a tendency to increase, which sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose true hypertension. With the growth of the fetus and the increase in the uterus, the heart rate also increases slightly (within 84–90 beats per 1 minute).

Fluctuations in blood pressure and hormonal changes in the female body often lead to disruption of the heart, which can be manifested by arrhythmias and extrasystoles.

An additional load on the lungs, associated with the fact that you have to provide oxygen not only to yourself, but also to the fetus, leads to the development of shortness of breath. Pregnant women, especially in the later stages, have certain difficulties with performing normal physical activity. An attack of shortness of breath and fatigue can be observed even when climbing stairs only a few floors.

Nevertheless, all this is considered within the normal range, unless, of course, the pregnant woman suffers from any pathology of the cardiovascular and / or respiratory systems.

Digestive and urinary systems

Quite often, in women in position, taste preferences change dramatically. Some pregnant women have a sharp aversion to certain types of foods (for example, meat, cheese, sausages, butter), while others may generally be drawn to inedible things (clay, chalk).

In some cases, there is an increase in appetite, in others, on the contrary, a significant decrease. Also, due to a decrease in intestinal tone, pregnant women are more prone to constipation. This is normal and does not require correction with medications, only a change in diet.

Increased stress on the kidneys often leads to frequent urination. In the absence of other symptoms, frequent urination should be attributed to natural physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman, and not to the clinical manifestation of any disease.

No one says that you have to endure any kind of discomfort or worse, pain. Any changes in your health should be reported to your doctor. And he will decide how serious it is.

Signs of a normal pregnancy

What you should pay attention to first of all in order to find out that pregnancy, both in the early and late stages, proceeds normally:

  • Body weight gain.
  • Enlargement of the abdomen.
  • Fetal movement.
  • Fetal heartbeat.
  • Pain.
  • Vaginal discharge.
  • The appearance of colostrum.

Body mass gain

The development of the fetus, an increase in the uterus, fluid retention, the restructuring of metabolic processes - all this naturally causes a progressive increase in the weight of a pregnant woman. On average, the body weight of the expectant mother for the entire period of bearing a child increases by 10–12 kg, of which:

  • About 6 kg are the fetus, afterbirth and amniotic fluid.
  • 1-2 kg are due to the growth of the uterus and mammary glands.
  • 3-4 kg is an immediate weight gain.

In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman's body weight practically does not change. By the end of the 12th week, there is some increase, which can be up to 2 kg. In the second trimester, a woman usually gains 300 grams per week. In the third trimester, the increase is already up to 400 grams per week.

A few days before childbirth, regular changes in metabolic processes lead to the fact that the body weight of a pregnant woman can decrease by 1–2 kg.

Please note that these are averages and may vary on a case-by-case basis. In addition, weight gain, among other things, can be affected by factors such as individual and constitutional characteristics of the body, as well as heredity.

fetal movement

The baby makes the first movements at 8 weeks, but they are not yet noticeable to the woman. It is generally accepted that fetal movement begins to be felt at 16–20 weeks. Multiparous mothers are familiar with this feeling firsthand, so they fix the motor activity of the unborn child earlier than primiparas. It is also worth noting that due to the lack of fat deposition on the front wall of the abdomen, more slender girls perceive the baby's movements faster than plump ones.

Note the date you feel the first movement of the fetus, as this will help your healthcare provider determine your due date. As a rule, for a primipara it is necessary to add 20 weeks, for a multiparous - the 22nd. The intensity of movements will help you assess the health of the baby. Excessively violent activity is just as bad as a significant reduction or complete cessation of movement.

To control the activity of the child, a specially designed test is used, which can also be used at home starting from the 28th week. From 9 am to 9 pm, it is necessary to count the number of movements and record every 10. Normally, the tenth movement is usually observed before 5 pm. If within 12 hours you notice that the child has moved less than 10 times, then this should be reported to the doctor. If for the whole day there is not a single movement, then you should immediately go to the hospital.

By the movement of the fetus, a woman herself can understand how her pregnancy is proceeding, everything is developing normally, or you need to immediately seek help.

Fetal heartbeat

One of the most important signs of the normal course of pregnancy is the fetal heartbeat. The first signs of the work of the heart of the unborn baby can be determined using a special vaginal ultrasound sensor already in the early stages of pregnancy (3-4 weeks). Features of changes in fetal heart rate:

  • At 4-6 weeks, the heart rate will be 80-85 beats per minute.
  • At 6–8 weeks, the heart rate will increase to 110–130 beats per minute.
  • At 8-10 weeks, the heart rate can reach 190 beats per minute.
  • From the 11th week until delivery, the heart rate will be in the range of 140-160 gifts per minute.

By heart rate, you can assess the general condition of the fetus. The child's heart instantly reacts to any changes that occur with a pregnant woman (stress, various diseases, physical activity). For example, a heart rate that is too fast can indicate long-term disturbances in the blood supply to the fetus, which leads to insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients.

The slowing of the rhythm will indicate a sharp deterioration in the condition of the fetus, requiring emergency measures, up to and including surgical delivery.

pain

During pregnancy, quite often there are painful sensations of a different nature, intensity and localization. Most of them are considered a natural physiological process in response to changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman:

  • In connection with the increase in the uterus, its own ligaments are stretched, which are attached to the iliac bones, and pain occurs in the inguinal folds and above the pubis. Sharp turns, quick movements, or even just a cough can be to blame. Such pains do not pose a danger to a woman or a child.
  • Due to the tendency to constipation, pregnant women often experience pulling pains in the lower abdomen (usually on the left side). To prevent constipation, pay attention to your diet. Your diet should include a sufficient amount of fermented milk products and foods containing more fiber. In addition, regular exercise of moderate intensity has a positive effect on intestinal motility.
  • Due to some discrepancy of the pubic joint under the influence of the hormone relaxin produced by the ovaries and placenta, pain in the pubic area may be noted. Such changes in the location of the pelvic bones are necessary in order to facilitate the passage of the baby through the birth canal.

If you experience sufficiently intense and pronounced pain, you should seek help from a qualified specialist. It is not recommended to take any medications or perform any manipulations to relieve pain without informing your supervising doctor.

Vaginal discharge

During the entire period of pregnancy, vaginal discharge is observed. And this is quite normal if their character meets a number of parameters. What vaginal discharge is considered normal?

Abundant, clear, white, without an unpleasant odor and not accompanied by itching or burning in the genital area. At the same time, the following discharges are considered pathological, requiring identification of the cause and undergoing special treatment:

  • Yellow. It is necessary to pass the appropriate tests to exclude sexually transmitted diseases (for example, gonorrhea).
  • Abundant white color, accompanied by itching and burning . Plus it has a creamy texture. The most common cause of such discharge is vaginal candidiasis or thrush.
  • Green. The causes can be very diverse, but most often associated with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
  • Brown. In no case should you delay visiting an obstetrician-gynecologist. This kind of discharge could be provoked by an ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, cervical trauma, etc.
  • Bloody . They are considered the most dangerous of all possible pathological discharges, if detected, it is necessary to urgently see your supervising doctor.

Most often, bleeding signals an ectopic pregnancy, the development of a miscarriage, premature detachment of the placenta, damage to the vagina and / or cervix.

Colostrum

For some pregnant women, any changes in the body that they have not been warned about cause serious concern. For example, the appearance of colostrum before childbirth can even cause them to have a panic attack. We hasten to assure you, there is no reason for concern. The secretion of colostrum during childbearing is normal. No pathology can be traced here.

In addition, the absence of colostrum before childbirth is also not considered a deviation from the norm.

If you cannot accurately understand whether the pregnancy is proceeding well and normally, then you should visit an obstetrician-gynecologist as soon as possible, which will dispel all your doubts or take appropriate measures in a timely manner.