Weekly changes in pregnancy

After pregnancy, the most obvious change in a woman's body is morning sickness and changes in hormones in the body. In addition, as the baby grows, the color of the woman's breasts will change, and her reproductive and urinary systems will also be significantly different. The growth of the baby in the belly will slowly press on the woman's bladder, making it smaller, so it is easy for pregnant women to urinate frequently.

1. Reproductive organs

After pregnancy, changes in the reproductive organs are most obvious, and the uterus changes the most during pregnancy. The muscle fibers hypertrophy, lengthen, and proliferate, gradually increasing the size of the uterus. During pregnancy, the uterus often has irregular intermittent contractions to promote placental blood circulation. In the second half of pregnancy, the excitability of the uterus increases, the contractions become more frequent, and at full term, they become regular contractions, which are the main driving force for delivery. Due to the increase in blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and the hyperplasia and edema of connective tissue, the cervix becomes enlarged and softened, the endometrium thickens, the glands proliferate, and the mucus secretion increases, forming a mucus plug in the cervical canal to prevent bacteria from entering the uterine cavity. The vaginal muscle fibers and elastic fibers proliferate, making it easier to expand. The mucosa becomes thicker and more congested, and becomes purple-blue in color. Secretions increase and become acidic, which can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The blood supply to the fallopian tube increases, the tissue becomes softer, and the mucosa sometimes undergoes decidua-like changes. The ovaries are slightly enlarged and no ovulation occurs. The corpus luteum in one ovary continues to grow and secrete estrogen and progesterone. The corpus luteum of pregnancy usually begins to atrophy after 3 months of pregnancy, and the placenta replaces the ovaries in secreting hormones. Breasts: In the first few weeks of pregnancy, you will feel breast swelling, tingling, or tenderness. After 8 weeks of pregnancy, your breasts will increase significantly. Due to the increase of estrogen and progesterone, the breast ducts and glands proliferate, fat accumulates, the nipples quickly enlarge and color, the areola becomes colored, and scattered sebaceous gland hypertrophy and bulges appear.

2. Digestive System

In early pregnancy, symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, food selection and increased salivation are common, and most of them heal on their own after a few weeks. Due to the reduced secretion of gastric juice and gastric acid, the absorption of iron can be affected, so pregnant women are prone to anemia. Gastrointestinal motility is weakened, which can easily cause gastrointestinal bloating and constipation.

3. Urinary system

During pregnancy, the excretion of maternal and fetal metabolic products increases, which increases the burden on the kidneys. The enlarged uterus in early pregnancy and the descending fetal head in late pregnancy can compress the bladder and cause frequent urination. After the second trimester of pregnancy, under the influence of progesterone, the peristalsis of the ureter is weakened. In addition, the ureter is often squeezed by the pregnant uterus at the entrance of the pelvis, resulting in slow urine flow and easy to cause urinary tract infection.

4. Weight

In the early stages of pregnancy, due to reactions and loss of appetite, weight may decrease. However, with the increase of pregnancy months, fetal development, water retention in the body, increase in total blood volume, and storage of protein and fat, the weight of pregnant women gradually increases.

Pregnancy is a physiological process, which is very complex. Many changes will occur in the mother's body itself. The changes that occur in the mother's organs during pregnancy are to meet the needs of fetal development and growth. Now that everyone has some understanding of the pregnancy process, this will provide a certain guarantee for good pregnancy and postpartum care.