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by Mechgold

Created on: April 06, 2008   Last Updated: March 08, 2012

Pregnancy generally lasts about 9 calendar months, 40 weeks or 280 days. Typically, pregnancy is discussed in terms of Trimesters, which each last for three calendar months. During the first trimester, the woman usually learns she is pregnant and may seek prenatal care. The first trimester is the time of primary organ development for the fetus. The second trimester is considered the most tranquil for the pregnant woman. Morning sickness passes and quickening the feeling the baby move occurs. In the third trimester the woman becomes anxious for the pregnancy to the end. She may feel awkward because of her increasing weight, the Physical and psychological changes she experiences. Maybe the person is not aware of it at first, or could not understand the Anatomy and Physiology of his body, and She may ignore the facts, but their will be always signs of Pregnancy, that even the youngest pregnant women could determine. We have signs of Pregnancy such us Subjective, Objective and Diagnostic.

1.Subjective (Presumptive) Changes. Symptoms experienced by woman. Amenorrhea or absence of menstruation, nausea and vomiting, excessive fatigue, urinary frequency, changes in breast, quickening or mothers perception of fetal movement. Changes in pigmentation of the skin, the linea nigra, a line of the dark pigment on the abdomen. Melasma, the dark pigments on the face and Striae gravidarum, the red streaks on the abdomen.

2.Objective (Probable) Changes. Signs perceived by the examiner. Changes in the pelvic organs such as Goodell's Sign or Softening of the cervix. Chadwick's sign or bluish discoloration of the cervix, and Hegar's sign the softening of the Isthmus, the area between the cervix and the body of the Uterus. The enlargement of the abdomen; Braxton Hicks contraction, these are rhythmic contractions of the uterus that are painless initially but become noticeable, and sometimes uncomfortable, toward term or the end of pregnancy. Ballotment, fetus can be felt to rise against abdominal wall when lower uterine segment is tapped during bimanual examination. Fetal outline palpable during examination, and Positive Pregnancy Test.

3.Diagnostic (positive) Changes. The Verification of gestational sac or fetal parts and heartbeat through Ultrasonography and detection of fetal heartbeat and fetal movements determined by a trained examiner.

We also have psychological responses of the mother to pregnancy, which is related to hormonal changes and to the body's effort to prepare for childbirth and parenting which are considered normal.

1.Ambivalence. Initially, even if pregnancy is planned, the mother may have mixed feeling about it. She may have concerns about her career, her relationship with her partner, financial implications, and role changes, she may make comments such us "I thought I wanted a baby now that I'm pregnant, I'm not so sure."

2.Acceptance of Pregnancy. As the woman begins to accept reality of the pregnancy she shows a high degree of tolerance for the discomfort she may experience. She may begin wearing maternity clothes and may make a comment such as "Feeling the baby move make it seem real" or " I'm going to be a mother."

3.Introversion. The expectant woman typically becomes inwardly focused, less interested in outside activities. She is using this time to plan and adjust. Her partner may see this as excluding him. She may say, "I never used to be alone but now I like having time to myself just to think and plan."

4.Mood Swings. Mood swings from joy to sadness are common and difficult for woman and her family. She often feels a great need for love and affection, need more attention but her partner, confused by her emotional changes, may react by withdrawing. She may say " I'm not usually emotional but lately any little things can set me off."

5.Changes in body image. Typically the woman tends to feel somewhat negative about her body as pregnancy progresses. Her increasing abdomen coupled with the waddling gait may cause a woman to feel unattractive. She may say "I can't even see my feet anymore" or "I feel, I am big as a house".

Based on Maternal and Neonatal Facts, unless the woman has a certain disease or abnormalities that may affects his mental, physical and psychological functions she may not determine her pregnancy. For a normal woman it is impossible to give birth without knowing it.

Reference:
Maternal Newborn Nursing by: Olds,London,Ladewig
Maternal Neonatal Facts by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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