When a woman become pregnant, she experiences certain changes in her body and in the way she feels
During the first three months, she will probably notice the following changes
*She miss period (menses). This is the first sign of pregnancy. Menstruation will not start again until about six weeks after the baby is born
*She may experience a feeling of nausea early in the morning or at different times of the day. This is referred to as ‘morning sickness’
*She may experience the need to pass urine more often
*Her breast may feel full and a little tender
Not all women experience all these signs and symptoms
By the beginning of the fourth month, the mother may notice other signs and symptoms
*The uterus begins to enlarge and gradually it becomes obvious that mother is expecting a baby
*She begins to feel the movements of the baby inside her womb
During the second half of pregnancy, some of the following problems may be experienced
*Varicose veins may appear, usually on the legs. As the foetus grows bigger and heavier, the pressure on the blood vessels in the legs increases and this causes the veins to swell. The veins at the back of the knees and on the calves bulge and become prominent. Varicose veins can be prevented if the mother sits with her legs raised whenever possible
*As the foetus grows heavier, the mother may experience backache. This can be relieved with plenty of rest and by maintaining proper posture. The mother should always try to stand up straight and, if sitting, keep back straight. When lifting an object from the ground, the mother should put one foot slightly in front of the other and bend both knees. She then straightens her knees as she lift the object
*An expectant mother often feels more tired than usual. She should rest often
