Overview

Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg after it’s released from the ovary during ovulation. The fertilized egg then travels down into the uterus, where implantation occurs. A successful implantation results in pregnancy.

On average, a full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. There are many factors that can affect a pregnancy. Women who receive an early pregnancy diagnosis and prenatal care are more likely to experience a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.

Knowing what to expect during the full pregnancy term is important for monitoring both your health and the health of the baby. If you’d like to prevent pregnancy, there are also effective forms of birth control you should keep in mind.

SYMPTONS

The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:

• Missed period. If you're in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. ...
• Tender, swollen breasts. ...
• Nausea with or without vomiting. ...
• Increased urination. ...
• Fatigue.

STAGES OF PREGNANCY

Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last normal period. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. Find out what's happening with you and your baby in these three stages.

First trimester (week 1–week 12)

During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include:

5. Extreme tiredness
5. Tender, swollen breasts. Your nipples might also stick out.
5. Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
5. Cravings or distaste for certain foods
5. Mood swings

Second trimester (week 13–week 28)

As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:

5. Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
5. Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
5. Darkening of the skin around your nipples
5. A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
5. Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
5. Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
5. Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet.

Third trimester (week 29–week 40)

Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include:

5. Shortness of breath
5. Heartburn
5. Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. 
5. Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum
5. Your belly button may stick out
5. Trouble sleeping
5. The baby "dropping", or moving lower in your abdomen
5. Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor.

Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine is an interdisciplinary journal that explores clinical, medical, social and economic aspects of female reproductive health and medication worldwide.

Authors can Submit manuscript as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at https://www.imedpub.com/submissions/womens-health-reproductive-medicine.html

Media Contact
John Kimberly
Associate Managing Editor
Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine
Email: womenshealth@emedscholar.comwomenshealth@emedscholar.com