Pregnancy and the Birth for a First Time Mum. pregnancy | Page 8

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Normally, there are changes in the body processes of a woman during pregnancy. Every
body system participates in these changes in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Initially, the reproductive system is the first one to have these changes. There is the
absence of menses which gives a woman a hint that she may be possibly pregnant. When
pregnancy is suspected, a woman may undergo a pregnancy test which then may result to a
positive pregnancy when there is the presence of the HCG hormone. During the first trimester
this levels of HCG is increased which affects the digestive processes of the body. Because of
this hormone, a woman may experience a decrease in appetite or vomiting may occur. Furthermore, in the reproductive processes, the breast changes to be ready for lactation wherein
the areola darkens, the breasts become tender and when childbirth occurs, there is the presence of the colostrum (first milk) which is secreted from the breasts. This signals that it is ready
for breastfeeding. There are also different changes in the cervix during pregnancy. It will
change its color to violet, a presence of mucus plug which serves as protection to microorganisms that may enter through it, and eventually it will soften to permit childbirth during the last
stages. The uterus has very evident changes because it tends to enlarge during pregnancy
due to enlargement also of the foetus inside it. There will also be the presence of the uterine
contractions which serves as a signal that the foetus will come out.
For the integumentary system or the skin, there are the presence of stretch marks (striae
gravidarum) during pregnancy; this is because of the enlarging uterus which then penetrates
up to the abdomen during the last stages of pregnancy. Another one I the presence of the
linea nigra which is the longitudinal dark line at the abdomen. Chloasma is also very evident
to women which causes the brownish color of the cheeks.
For the respiratory system, there is evident changes especially when the uterus is continuously enlarging wherein it may put some pressure in the lungs which causes it to exert
more effort in respiration. And moreover, pregnant woman needs to sleep or rest with the
head of the bed to be elevated to prevent difficulty of breathing because of the pressure
caused by the uterus.
The heart (cardiovascular system) has a very important role during the course of
pregnancy. It will adjust with the amount of blood being pump out because of the
enlarging foetus needs also blood supply in order for it to be nourished and
nurtured inside the womb up to childbirth.

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