The Trimesters: Understanding the Different Stages of Pregnancy - Part 1

Pregnancy can be a puzzling time for the newly expectant dad. As your spouse experiences a hormonal rollercoaster, her body is likely to undergo some very surprising changes.

You will probably have heard the obstetrician refer to the term 'trimester'. The nine months of pregnancy are divided into three trimesters. These mark important stages in the development of the fetus. Knowing about the trimesters will help you to understand your baby's development better and also serve to demystify pregnancy for you.

First Trimester

The baby: This stage of pregnancy is marked by the speedy development of your baby. The first twelve weeks will see your baby grow to about three inches and have many of its organs already functioning—a lot when you consider that it all began with the fusion of two cells at the time of conception.

The mom: The frenzied discharge of hormones during the early months of pregnancy may be difficult for your spouse to handle. Nausea and an aversion to food items may be present. She will also complain of fatigue during this stage of pregnancy, as the growing baby makes its demands felt on her body. A healthy diet and a multivitamin prescribed by her obstetrician may help her cope with this.

Also read: The Trimesters: Understanding the Different Stages of Pregnancy - Part 2