Pregnancy, Sex, and the Changes in Your Life
Written by Doroby on 8:17 AMBy Tony C Edwards
Pregnancy is a wondrous time, but it can also leave you with many questions. Pregnancy is considered the greatest godsend in the life of a woman because it gives her the opportunity to procreate, to bring forth a being. Pregnancy is an exciting time and a great opportunity to learn about your child's growth and development. Whether this is your first baby or you are a bit more experienced, pregnancy is an exciting time of anticipation and wonder. Pregnancy is a nine-month marathon, and smart moms-to-be begin training well in advance.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the medical terminology for the state or condition when a female mammal carries one or more developing young ones inside her body (precisely the uterus).
It is typically broken into three periods, or trimesters, each consisting of about three months. Pregnancy is measured in trimesters from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), totaling 40 weeks. Accurate dating of pregnancy is important, because it is used in calculating the results of various prenatal tests (for example, in the triple test).
Sex
Sex during pregnancy is a low-risk behavior except when the physician advises that sexual intercourse be avoided, which may, in some pregnancies, lead to serious pregnancy complications or health issues such as a high-risk for premature labor or a ruptured uterus. Sex causes no problems during an uncomplicated pregnancy, and sexual interest often changes during different phases of a pregnancy. Research suggests that, during pregnancy, both sexual desire and frequency of sexual relations decrease. Most pregnant women can enjoy sexual intercourse throughout.
Changes
A number of changes will be observed in a pregnant woman's body at various stages of pregnancy. In the first four weeks, the uterus is usually enlarged and irregularly softened. The cervix (the opening of the uterus) becomes softer and bluish or purple reflecting the increased blood supply to the uterus. At six weeks, the uterus can sometimes be easily flexed at the markedly softened isthmus.
What kinds of emotional changes might I expect? What kinds of lifestyle changes should I be thinking of? Pregnancy makes it necessary to make changes in your daily activities and relationships. Fatigue is an early sign of pregnancy which is caused by hormonal changes.
Throughout your pregnancy, you may notice a number of mild to severe effects, including:
Constipation, due to hormonal changes that slow down the normal function of your bowels.
Mood swings, which can be caused by hormonal changes, extreme fatigue, or the stress of expecting a new baby.
Changes in breathing due to hormonal changes and to the pressure the growing baby is putting on the organs inside a woman's body.
The body's posture changes as the pregnancy progresses due to weight gain.
Normal symptoms you may experience during the second trimester of pregnancy include:
Breast changes. The swelling is caused by hormonal changes similar to those a woman may have before her periods.
Increasing heart output. Pounding heart rate or abnormal heartbeats sometimes due to the pressure various organs put on the heart as the baby grows.
Greater urine output.
These changes are caused by steroid hormones, lactogen and cortisol.
When pregnancy reaches term and childbirth becomes imminent, the mother experiences regular painful uterine contractions, which is generally accompanied by changes in her cervix (which undergoes dilation and effacement). Other changes can include stretch marks, itchiness, and other skin changes. Changes in the relationship with your partner are inevitable, as your focus shifts to your own and your future child's well being.
The choice you make regarding the outcome of your pregnancy is a personal decision. As many moms will tell you, pregnancy is a marathon and being physically fit will help you cope with the physical challenges of both pregnancy and childbirth. For free books, reports and info go here Preganacy and Prenatals.
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