Pregnancy. Signs and course of pregnancy. The body of a pregnant woman

Pregnancy is a physiological process in which a new human organism develops in the uterus of a woman, resulting from fertilization.

Pregnancy in women lasts on average 280 days(40 weeks, which corresponds to 9 calendar months or 10 lunar months). Pregnancy is also usually divided into 3 trimesters of 3 calendar months each.

Signs of early pregnancy

In the early stages, the diagnosis of pregnancy is established on the basis of doubtful and probable signs.

Doubtful signs of pregnancy- various kinds of subjective sensations, as well as objectively determined changes in the body, outside the internal genital organs: taste whims, changes in olfactory sensations, easy fatigue, drowsiness, pigmentation of the skin on the face, along the white line of the abdomen, nipples and areola.

Possible signs of pregnancy- objective signs on the part of the genital organs, mammary glands and in the setting of biological reactions to pregnancy. These include: the cessation of menstruation in women of childbearing age, an increase in the mammary glands and the appearance of colostrum when squeezed out of the nipples, cyanosis of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, a change in the shape and consistency of the uterus, an increase in its size.

You can first verify the presence of pregnancy at home using a rapid test for the content of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin in the urine of a woman (the test is carried out from the first day of delaying the next menstruation).

Confirm the fact of pregnancy allows.

Changes in the body of a pregnant woman

Numerous and complex changes occur in a woman's body during pregnancy. These physiological changes create conditions for intrauterine development of the fetus, prepare the woman's body for the birth act and breastfeeding of the newborn. Menstruation stops, mammary glands increase in volume, nipples darken.

Many pregnant women in the first trimester experience nausea, sometimes vomiting - these symptoms are commonly called. Weakness, drowsiness, heartburn, drooling, changes in taste, and frequent urination often occur. These disturbances of well-being are characteristic of a healthy and normal pregnancy.

Particularly large changes occur in the female genital organs. The uterus increases with each, the blood supply to the internal and external genital organs increases. The tissues swell, acquire elasticity, which contributes to their better stretching during childbirth. In the mammary glands, the number and volume of glandular lobules increase, their blood supply increases, they become tense, from the nipples. There is a sharp increase in the amount of gonadotropic hormones, as well as estrogens and progesterone, produced first by the corpus luteum (a temporary gland formed at the site of the follicle from which the mature egg came out) and then. Hormones secreted by the corpus luteum (progesterone and, to a lesser extent, estrogens) contribute to the creation of conditions for the proper development of pregnancy. The corpus luteum undergoes reverse development after the fourth month in connection with the formation of the hormonal function of the placenta.

For the management of pregnancy, it is necessary (3-4 weeks after the delay of menstruation), where the doctor conducts an examination and examination of the external and internal genital organs, and, if necessary, additional examinations are prescribed.

Sex organs during pregnancy

Uterus. During pregnancy, the size, shape, position, consistency and reactivity (excitability) of the uterus changes. The uterus gradually enlarges throughout pregnancy. The increase in the uterus occurs mainly due to hypertrophy of the muscle fibers of the uterus; at the same time, there is a reproduction of muscle fibers, the growth of newly formed muscle elements of the mesh-fibrous and argyrophilic "frame" of the uterus.

The uterus is not only a fetal place that protects the fetus from adverse external influences, but also a metabolic organ that provides the fetus with enzymes, complex compounds necessary for the plastic processes of a rapidly developing fetus.

Vagina during pregnancy, it lengthens, expands, the folds of the mucous membrane protrude sharper. The external genitalia loosen during pregnancy.

Lifestyle of a pregnant woman, regimen, nutrition and hygiene

The developing fetus receives all the necessary nutrients from the mother. The well-being of the fetus depends entirely on the health of the mother, the conditions of her work, rest, the state of the nervous and endocrine systems.

Pregnant women are exempt from night duty, heavy physical work, work associated with body vibration or adverse effects on the body of chemical agents. substances. During pregnancy, sudden movements, heavy lifting and significant fatigue should be avoided. A pregnant woman needs to sleep at least 8 hours a day. Walking before bed is recommended.

A pregnant woman must be carefully protected from infectious diseases that pose a particular danger to the body of the pregnant woman and the fetus.

During pregnancy, it is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the skin. Cleanliness of the skin contributes to the removal of metabolic products harmful to the body with sweat.

A pregnant woman should wash her external genitalia twice a day with warm water and soap. Douching during pregnancy should be administered with great caution.

During pregnancy, you should carefully monitor the condition of the oral cavity and make the necessary.

The mammary glands should be washed daily with warm water and soap and wiped with a towel. These methods prevent cracked nipples and mastitis. If, then they should be massaged.

maternity clothes should be comfortable and free: you should not wear tightening belts, tight bras, etc. In the second half of pregnancy, it is recommended to wear a bandage that should support the stomach, but not squeeze it.

A pregnant woman should wear shoes with low heels.