Pregnancy

Mother: Psychological Effects

Mood Swings- irritability, crabbiness Fear/ Anxiety

1st Trimester)- afraid of having miscarriage, doing something to affect baby’s health

2nd Trimester)- question whether she will be a good mother or not, afraid/concerned about future responsibilities with newborn

3rd Trimester)- afraid of the pain of labour or if something may go wrong during delivery

Body image issues- may feel dissatisfied as body starts changing (weight gain)

Forgetfulness- “baby brain” Weepiness- may cry more easily and

frequently

Mother: Physical Changes

First Trimester: 1) Missed Period 2) Breast Enlargement 3) Abdominal Thickening 4) Bloating

Mother: First Trimester

First Trimester Physical Effects: Fatigue Headaches Frequent Urination Increased Vaginal Secretion Light Head-ness Shortness of Breath Morning Sickness Indigestion Heartburn

Mother: Physical Changes

Second Trimester: Weight Gain “Showing” Uterus Expands

Mother: Second Trimester

Second Trimester Physical Effects: Backache Breast Enlargement Congestion and Nose Bleeds Increased Vaginal Secretion Frequent Urination Hair Growth Heart Burn and Constipation Hemorrhoids

Mother: Physical Changes

Third Trimester: Weight Gain Breast Discharge Abdominal Enlargement

Mother: Third Trimester

Third Trimester Physical Effects: Hemorrhoids Shortness of Breath Spider and Varicose Veins Swelling Weight Gain

Mother: Red Flag Symptoms

Red Flag Symptoms: Severe Abdominal Pain or Cramps Severe Nausea or Bleeding Bleeding Severe Dizziness Pain or Burning during Urination Rapid Weight Gain or Loss

** Call Doctor Right Away!**

Mother: Nutrition and Exercise

Nutrition Supplement Vitamins Fatty Acids are good “fats”

Eating for Two Balanced Meals Consume 300 or more calories a day

than before pregnancy Exercise

Physical activity is just as important as before pregnancy

Avoid Jumping Drink lots of Water

Baby: 1st Stages of Development

Germinal Stage: Day 1: Conception- union of the sperm

and egg cell form a single cell named a zygote. The zygote moves along the fallopian tube to the uterus.

Implantation: Days 10-14: Attachment of the fertilized

egg to the uterine lining. The specialized cells that will become the placenta, umbilical cord and embryo are already formed.

Baby: 2nd Stage of Development

Embryonic Stage: Weeks 3-8: Organogenesis- is the period

after implantation, during which all of the major organs and structures within the growing mammal are formed.

Baby: 3rd Stage of Development

Fetal Stage: Weeks 9-38: Growth and Organ

Refinement- the third stage of prenatal development during which growth and refinement take place

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Week 9) Baby is about the size of a peanut. The head is more erect, and the neck is more developed. During an ultrasound, may see how baby moves, even though the mother can't feel it yet.

Week 11) When the doctor uses a stethoscope now, the mother can hear the rapid "swooshing" noises of the heartbeat. The baby's genitals are developing, but the sex can't be determined yet.

Week 12) All parts of the baby are developing. The baby will keep developing and getting larger and stronger for the rest of the pregnancy. By the end of this week, the chance of miscarriage drops considerably.

Baby: Weeks 9-12 Development

Baby: Weeks 13- 17 of Development

Week 13) Eyes are moving into position, the ankles and wrists have formed, and though the head is still disproportionately big, the rest of the body is starting to catch up.

Week 14) The baby's ears are shifting from the neck to the sides of the head, and the neck is getting longer and the chin more prominent. Facial features and unique fingerprints are all there. The baby is beginning to respond to outside stimuli. If mothers abdomen is poked, the baby will try to wriggle away.

Week 17) The baby now has doubled in weight in the last two weeks. Fat begins to form, helping the baby's heat production and metabolism. The lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid, and the circulatory and urinary systems are working. Hair on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes is filling in.

Baby: Weeks 18-25 of Development

Week 18) The baby's rapid growth spurt is tapering off, but reflexes are kicking in. The baby can yawn, stretch, and make facial expressions, even frown. Taste buds are beginning to develop and can distinguish sweet from bitter. The baby will suck if its lips are stroked, and it can swallow and even get the hiccups. The retinas have become sensitive to light, so if a bright light is shined on the mothers abdomen, baby will probably move to shield its eyes.

Week 20) The baby can hear sounds by now – the mothers voice, heart, and stomach growling, as well as sounds outside the mothers body. The baby will cover its ears with its hands if a loud sound is made near the mother, and it may even become startled and "jump." The baby is moving often, too -- twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking.

Week 23) The baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about the size of a large mango). Blood vessels in the babies lungs are developing to prepare for breathing.

Week 25) The baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches and weighs 1 1/2 pounds. The babies wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and they will start to look more and more like a newborn.

Baby: Weeks 26-33 of Development Week 26) The network of nerves in the baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. The baby is now inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of their lungs. The baby now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches. Week 29) The baby’s muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the baby’s head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain.

Week 30) The baby's about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds the baby, but that volume will shrink as it gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. The baby’s eyesight continues to develop.

Week 33) This week the baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. The bones in their skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal.

Baby: Weeks 34- 37+ of Development

Week 34) The baby will now weigh close to 5lbs and measure up at about 45cm long. Their little lungs are also now almost fully developed so they will be ready to breathe independently after birth. Their tiny finger and toenails have now grown and if your baby is overdue they’ll likely need a trim.Week 36) The average baby weighs around 7.5lbs at birth, so the little one has a bit more to gain just now, weighing in at around 6lbs at the 36 week mark. They also measure in at close to 50cm and still have a little bit of growing left to do.

Week 38) Their organs are now all fully formed and ready for life outside their home for the past 9 months. One remaining change left to happen is the eye colour of your baby which will still be changing due to the lack of pigment. The baby is completely ready to be born now, and is at full term.

Application to Personal Life:

As I would like to be a mother one day, the psychological and physical aspects of pregnancy will pertain to myself. Understanding the importance of exercise, nutrition and eating habits will help me to create a healthy baby. Throughout pregnancy knowing the different stages, will also help me to understand what changes my body is undergoing.

Application to Future Career:

As a perinatal social worker I would work with women and families to assess their strengths and challenges as they approach their child’s birth while also assisting them to access long term supportive systems where needed.

When a miscarriage occurs, the perinatal social worker helps families to understand, express, and cope with feelings of grief and assist as they learn to live with the challenges.

A perinatal social worker works in hospitals, but they also work in community settings such as pediatric hospices, adoption agencies, foster care and parenting education.

The goal of a perinatal social worker is to ascertain that every baby and every family is supported with competent compassionate care.

Bibliography:

• https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/changes-during-the-first-trimester-of-pregnancy-weeks-0-14

• http://www.livescience.com/51043-pregnancy-emotions.html • http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/second-trimester-of-pregnancy?page=3• http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/third-trimester-of-pregnancy?page=4 • https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Nutrition-and-Exerc

ise-During-Pregnancy.aspx