Normal Physiology

As a woman ages, her body adjusts and prepares itself to accommodate and to prepare her to be able to bear children of her own when the right time comes. With this comes into picture the first menstruation of the woman. This signifies that the woman has already a uterus that would be able to sustain and shelter a fetus.

During Pregnancy

There are numerous signs and symptoms a woman may experience when pregnant. Sometimes these are taken mistakenly or commonly referred to and termed as presumptive signs. However, having these factors present may indicate that a woman is pregnant:

1)Positive urine pregnancy test

2)Fetal heart beat present

3)Chadwick’s sign

4)Ballotment

The Body Changes as the Fetus Grows

During the first few months, preferably the first trimester (first 3 months) of the pregnancy, there is no obvious sign that the body may change in the outer aspect; however, the hormones, the blood circulation, the mood, the appetite of the mother have changed greatly. The pelvic bone changes and increase in size to accommodate the growing uterus. The blood circulation of the mother doubles as the heart pumps bloods twice the workload. There is shortness of breath as the increasing size of the uterus pushes down the diaphragm. Nausea and vomiting may also be likely seen as the hormonal change can alter the homeostasis of the pregnant woman. There is also an increase of urine urgency. All these normal change can be seen and observed during the first trimester and third trimester of the pregnancy period.

After Giving Birth Recovery

It is of no explanation how a woman would feel to have the baby delivered and brought out to the world. It is a mixed feeling of anxiousness, nervousness, and happiness at the same time. All these emotional changes are very common both towards the mother and father of the child.

Depending upon the hospital protocol, there are those that perform episiotomy. This is a procedure that is done to the woman upon giving birth of the child. It is usually done to prevent the occurrence of lacerations in the vagina, thus making it hard to repair and increase the risk of complications such as bleeding. With this, the woman who has given birth after would likely feel a little discomfort. A heat lamp would likely help relieve the discomfort. Sitz bath can also help relieve the pain in the area.

Since one of the physiological change of the body during pregnancy is the fluctuation of women’s hormone, there are those as well that may find themselves going back to the signs and symptoms of the first trimestral period, which is nausea and vomiting. Eating dry crackers before getting up is advised to minimize nausea.

The increase in blood circulation also changes abruptly as there is no longer a fetus inside needing the blood circulation. It is also observed that mothers would also experience palpitations and night sweats.

All these changes are usually seen same as the first trimestral symptoms.

How to Deal with the Changes

Getting proper rest and sleep is usually advised to the mother who has recently given birth. However, it may seem impossible to have a good night sleep with the new member of the family. It is advisable and best for the mother to breastfeed the baby as it offers numerous benefits both for the mother and the baby. It also helps facilitate faster recovery after the delivery and pregnancy since the sucking reflex of the child helps contract the uterus of the mother. With this there is an increase of involution—the going back to the normal body after pregnancy.