How the Body Changes During Pregnancy: A Trimester-by –Trimester Guide to What to Expect

The first trimester (Week 1 - Week 12)
Cessation of menstrual period
Morning sickness that occurs at any time, day or night, or all day and night. This includes nausea and/or vomiting
- Excessive saliva
- Swollen and tender breasts
- Darkening of the areola
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Mood swings -- feel angry, sad, or happy for no reason
- Stuffy nose and allergies—even if you have never suffered from them before
- Food cravings

The second trimester (Week 13 - Week 26)
- Weight gain and thickening of the waist
- Fetal movement
- Dry skin on stomach where the skin is stretching
- Breasts increase in size—time for new bras
- Hemorrhoids
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Nosebleeds
- Slight swelling of the feet, hands, ankles and face
- Development of a dark line on the skin between your navel and your pubic area.
- Development of a "mask" or darker area on your face
- Backaches that can remain throughout pregnancy
- Nipple secretions
- Muscle cramps, particularly in the legs and at night
- Gas pains
- Changes in your hair: it can become less oily
- Skin problems

The Third trimester (Week 27 - 40)
- Increased fetal movement
- Protrusion of navel
- Increased backaches
- Shortness of breath
- Braxton Hicks contractions AKA false labor
- Groin pains
- Stretch marks
- Difficulty sleeping
- Varicose veins

And just when you think you can’t take it another day—ta da! —the biggest changes of all: labor and delivery!

... girls, are you sure you still wanna get pregnant someday? ...

ps: how can i say my thanks to you, mum?

NEW EDITTING : one of my friend said (who now has a 3-year-old kid), all those pains and troubles will disappear after you see your baby... it's the cost you have to pay when you wanna see a miracle.. but the miracle is so damn good that you know the cost really worth it.. (September 7, 2004)