Pregnancy Specialist

What is pregnancy?

Pregnancy is the process of conceiving a baby and carrying them to term in your uterus. When sperm fertilizes an egg, the resulting zygote develops into an embryo and later a fetus. All the while, your body goes through immense changes to accommodate your growing baby, and you may experience different sets of symptoms based on where you are in your pregnancy. 

A typical pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks, which is just over nine months. This timespan includes three trimesters:

First trimester

The first trimester lasts from conception through week 12 of your pregnancy. 

Second trimester

The second trimester lasts from week 13 through week 28. You can find out the gender of your baby at this time, and you start to feel movement around week 20.

Third trimester

During the third trimester, which lasts from week 29 until you give birth, your baby starts to change position in preparation for birth. 

What are some of the earliest signs of pregnancy?

Pregnancy causes various signs and symptoms at each stage. Early signs and symptoms may cause you to wonder what’s going on with your body and take an over-the-counter pregnancy test. If the test is positive, or if you’re concerned about your symptoms, the team at WHASN Meadows can provide definitive pregnancy testing. 

Common symptoms early in pregnancy include:

• Missed periods
• Tender or swollen breasts
• Increased urination
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Spotting
• Food aversions

Because most of these symptoms could have other possible underlying causes, a thorough examination at WHASN Meadows gives you answers and confirms that you’re pregnant. 

What care do I need throughout my pregnancy?

Prenatal care is the medical attention and services you receive while pregnant. It focuses on maintaining your baby’s health as well as your own health to minimize the risk of complications at any stage of pregnancy or in childbirth. 

The frequency with which you come in for prenatal visits depends on whether or not your pregnancy is high risk. A high-risk pregnancy requires more frequent visits than a normal pregnancy. In either case, you can expect to visit WHASN Meadows more often as you approach your delivery date.

During prenatal visits, your obstetrician monitors your baby’s growth and development. They perform simple tests to check your health and your baby’s health and monitor development with safe and harmless ultrasound imaging. 

Schedule your first prenatal care appointment over the phone or online with the pregnancy experts at WHASN Meadows today.