Pregnancy - Month Three

Many women begin to feel calmer around the end of the third month. For some, this may have been fear of a miscarriage.

These are Things that You May be Feeling:

1. You may feel sleepy or tired. Try to get more rest so that your body can concentrate on getting the uterus ready to carry a fetus full-term. If you work or stay very busy, consider cutting back on your schedule until your second trimester (4-6^th month). Make sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins and eating right.


2. You may have to urinate (pee pee) more frequently. This usually begins 4-6 weeks after conception and lasts throughout pregnancy.


3. You may crave or dislike certain foods. Some women do experience this very early in the first trimester, but most will experience this around the end of the first trimester (3^rd month).


4. You may have symptoms like premenstrual syndrome. You may feel depressed, irritable, moody, sad, or bouncing between any and all of these. Remember your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes.


5. Morning Sickness (or any other time). Usually women will begin to experience this around 2 to 8 weeks after conception. A diet that is high in protein and/or carbohydrates can help. High protein foods are foods such as: nuts, whole-grain products, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and soy burgers. Carbohydrate food sources are things such as: baked potatoes, whole-grain (wheat) bread, rice, dried beans and peas, and vegetables. You should also drinks lots of fluid to replace the fluids lost by vomiting.


6. You may experience headaches. If you had headaches while taking birth control pills and/or before becoming pregnant, you have a greater chance at having headaches now. Do not take any over the counter medications. Aspirin and Ibuprofen medications (Advil, Nuprin, Medipren) should be avoided during pregnancy. Most doctors will suggest Tylenol (Acetaminophen) after the first trimester (after 3^rd month). Please check with your physician. You can try a cool wash cloth on your forehead or the back of your neck. If lights bother you, go to a dark room that is very quiet. If you can, try to take a nap.

Note: Some women get migraines or headaches because of too much sleep. If this is the case, try to regulate your sleeping patterns.

7. You may be getting dizzy or having faint like spells. Try to stand up slowly will raising from a sitting position. If you are standing a lot, try to turn your head slowly. Sometimes you may be in too big of a hurry for your body to deal with at this time. If you continue to have these spells check with your doctor.


8. You may be experiencing constipation. If this is happening during your pregnancy, try to eat more raw vegetables and fiber. One suggestion is to eat celery and carrots dipped in Ranch dressing. Not too much Ranch though! You should also try to drink more fluids.


9. You may experience an increase in appetite during this month. Many women will have stopped feeling nauseated an will regain a desire to eat. Make sure you eat things that are nutritious.


10. You may also begin to feel a calming feeling. Most women will have known for at least a month now and because the body is getting more use to the increased hormones, things will start to calm down. You may be accepting the pregnancy now or getting use to the idea now. Whatever it is, past the third month you just plain feel better. That is... until you get to the 9^th month. 

Development of the Fetus:

The fetus will be 3-4 inches long by the end of this month and your belly will start to enlarge. People may comment that you are starting to "pooch". The fundus is now out 3 inches below your belly button. Overweight women may not show a "pooch" until the fifth month. Fingers and Toes are now beginning to get soft nails. The fetus now has 20 buds for future teeth and hair beginning to appear. The fetus kicks, makes faces, swallows and makes breathing movements. At the end of this month, the sex can be distinguished.