Is there any such thing as normal?

When it comes to life, there is an old saying that goes “there’s no such thing as normal”. You could say that the same thing applies to pregnancy, and that’s one of the many good reasons why books like “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” are so popular.

Pregnancy can be a time of great apprehension and nervousness, especially for women who are pregnant for the first time. After all, this period is a time of great changes and an experience unlike any other, so what should you expect from pregnancy as you go into it?

A few things you can expect during pregnancy:

• Weight gain. Although this is fairly obvious, the pattern of weight gain may not be what you would expect. Most women do not gain a great deal of weight during their first trimester, and some may even lose weight during the first few weeks. However, by the start of the second trimester you will probably gain 1-2 pounds each week for a total of 25 to 35 pounds.
• Hormonal changes. Hormones are your body’s way of telling your body what to do to support the pregnancy, but they can also cause dramatic emotional swings. Do not feel like something is wrong with you if you go from happy to anxious and back again quickly; this is a normal reaction to the hormones you are producing.
• Physical changes. You will notice a huge range of physical symptoms although they vary from one woman to another. Common symptoms include heartburn, constipation, stretch marks, swollen and/or tender breasts, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Not sure, ask your doctor

No one can tell you exactly what to expect while you are pregnant, because each pregnancy is unique. And if you have any concerns about what is normal, make sure to ask your doctor.

Changes in the first – third trimesters

Pregnancy is a truly miraculous event. The ability to conceive and carry a baby as it develops is an amazing process, and in order to facilitate this process, your body goes through a number of changes. As there are an almost infinite number of discussions that can take place on this topic, we will cover some of the basics in two posts, starting with what happens to your body during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

First Trimester

During the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy, it may not be apparent to others that you are actually carrying a child. Due to the vomiting and nausea that accompany morning sickness for many pregnant women, you may not gain very much weight or you may even lose weight! However, you will probably notice that your breasts feel tender and swollen. Additionally, although you may not be able to feel it, your uterus wall is thickening and your cervix is softening.

Second Trimester

The next three months will bring changes that are apparent to both you and others. You will experience weight gain and your stomach will protrude to accommodate the growing uterus and child, although when this occurs exactly varies from one woman to another. Your breasts will become even larger as the milk glands begin to function and will continue to feel tender. You may notice that your skin is glowing. This is a pleasant result of the increased circulation of blood throughout your system.

Benefits of breastfeeding

There are many reasons why a mother chooses to breastfeed or not to breastfeed. It is very personal decision and one that should be made with careful consideration. However, there are many benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child from choosing to nourish your little one in this way, all of which are worth considering as you make this decision.

Benefits for the baby

Infants who are breastfed have been shown to experience improved health including a lowered occurrence and risk of certain diseases as well as a more resistant immune system, most likely due to antibodies the baby receives through breast milk. These benefits not only improve the baby’s health during infancy but are believed to improve lifelong health as well.

Some of those benefits include lowered risk or occurrence of the following:

-         Ear infections

-         Diarrhea

-         Bowel conditions

-         Urinary tract infections

-         Obesity

-         Diabetes

-         Asthma

-         Allergies

-         Irritability

Benefits for mother

Mothers also enjoy several benefits when they breastfeed their baby. Some of the benefits mothers cite for choosing to breastfeed include:

-         Less mess (no bottles or formula to mix)

-         Unique bonding experience with the baby

-         Easier weight loss

-         Lower risk of ovarian and breast cancer

-         More energy while breastfeeding

Talk to your doctor if you have questions

If you are unable to breastfeed your infant or choose not to for other reasons, this does not mean that you are making the wrong choice. Talk to your doctor about ways that you can supplement the infant’s immune system and other ways to assist your child’s development.