Organs during pregnancy. Lungs during pregnancy. Examination during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a physiological process in which a new human organism develops in a woman’s uterus, resulting from fertilization.

Pregnancy lasts on average for women 280 days(40 weeks, which corresponds to 9 calendar months or 10 lunar months). Pregnancy is also usually divided into 3 trimesters of 3 calendar months each.

Signs of early pregnancy

In the early stages, the diagnosis of pregnancy is made on the basis of doubtful and probable signs.

Questionable signs of pregnancy- various kinds of subjective sensations, as well as objectively determined changes in the body, outside the internal genital organs: taste whims, changes in olfactory sensations, easy fatigue, drowsiness, pigmentation of the skin on the face, along the white line of the abdomen, nipples and areola.

Possible signs of pregnancy- objective signs from the genital organs, mammary glands and when staging biological reactions to pregnancy. These include: cessation of menstruation in women of childbearing age, enlargement of the mammary glands and the appearance of colostrum when squeezed out of the nipples, cyanosis of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, changes in the shape and consistency of the uterus, and an increase in its size.

You can first verify the presence of pregnancy at home using a rapid test for the content of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman’s urine (the test is carried out from the first day of the delay of the next menstruation).

It allows you to confirm the fact of pregnancy.

Changes in the body of a pregnant woman

Numerous and complex changes occur in a woman's body during pregnancy. These physiological changes create conditions for the intrauterine development of the fetus and prepare the woman’s body for labor and breastfeeding of the newborn. Menstruation stops, the mammary glands increase in volume, and the nipples darken.

Many pregnant women experience nausea and sometimes vomiting in the first trimester - these symptoms are commonly called. Weakness, drowsiness, heartburn, drooling, changes in taste, and frequent urination often occur. These disturbances in well-being are characteristic of a healthy and normal pregnancy.

Particularly large changes occur in the woman’s genital organs. Each time the uterus grows, the blood supply to the internal and external genital organs increases. The tissues swell and become elastic, which facilitates their better stretching during childbirth. In the mammary glands, the number and volume of glandular lobules increase, their blood supply increases, they become tense, from the nipples. There is a sharp increase in the amount of gonadotropic hormones, as well as estrogens and progesterone, produced first by the corpus luteum (a temporary gland formed at the site of the follicle from which the mature egg emerged) and then. Hormones secreted by the corpus luteum (progesterone and, to a lesser extent, estrogens) help create conditions for the proper development of pregnancy. The corpus luteum undergoes reverse development after the fourth month due to the development of the hormonal function of the placenta.

To manage pregnancy, it is necessary (3 - 4 weeks after the delay of menstruation), where the doctor examines and examines the external and internal genital organs, and, if necessary, prescribes additional examinations.

Genital organs during pregnancy

Uterus. During pregnancy, the size, shape, position, consistency and reactivity (excitability) of the uterus changes. The uterus gradually enlarges throughout pregnancy. Enlargement of the uterus occurs mainly due to hypertrophy of the muscle fibers of the uterus; At the same time, muscle fibers multiply and the newly formed muscle elements of the reticular-fibrous and argyrophilic “framework” of the uterus grow.

The uterus is not only a fruit repository that protects the fetus from adverse external influences, but also a metabolic organ that provides the fetus with enzymes and complex compounds necessary for the plastic processes of a rapidly developing fetus.

Vagina During pregnancy, it lengthens, widens, and the folds of the mucous membrane become more pronounced. The external genitalia loosen during pregnancy.

Lifestyle of a pregnant woman, regime, nutrition and hygiene

The developing fetus receives all the necessary nutrients from the mother. The well-being of the fetus depends entirely on the health of the mother, her working conditions, rest, and the state of the nervous and endocrine systems.

Pregnant women are exempt from night shifts, heavy physical work, work associated with body vibration or adverse effects of chemicals on the body. substances. During pregnancy, sudden movements, heavy lifting and significant fatigue should be avoided. A pregnant woman needs to sleep at least 8 hours a day. A walk before bed is recommended.

A pregnant woman must be carefully protected from infectious diseases, which pose a particular danger to the body of the pregnant woman and the fetus.

During pregnancy, you need to be especially careful about keeping your skin clean. Clean skin helps eliminate metabolic products that are harmful to the body through sweat.

A pregnant woman should wash her external genitalia twice a day with warm water and soap. Douching during pregnancy should be prescribed with great caution.

During pregnancy, you should carefully monitor the condition of your oral cavity and carry out the necessary treatment.

The mammary glands must be washed daily with warm water and soap and dried with a towel. These methods prevent cracked nipples and mastitis. If so, then you should massage them.

Maternity clothes should be comfortable and loose: you should not wear tight belts, tight bras, etc. In the second half of pregnancy, it is recommended to wear a bandage that should support the abdomen, but not squeeze it.

A pregnant woman should wear low-heeled shoes.

At the same time, the nerve endings embedded in the walls of the uterus are irritated. Mechanical stimulation is converted into electrical impulses that enter the central nervous system along the centripetal nerves; The “information” received from the receptors is analyzed, after which certain “commands” are sent to various organs and systems along the centrifugal nerves. This is where various physiological changes begin in a woman’s body, aimed at facilitating the functioning of organs and systems in new conditions. With the onset of pregnancy, the activity of the endocrine glands also changes somewhat; There are certain hormonal changes that cannot but affect the body. Gradually, the body of a pregnant woman seems to be rebuilt. But adapting to new conditions is not the only goal of the “perestroika process”; changes that occur in various systems and organs are also necessary for the woman’s body to acquire additional capabilities: a new organism has been born, which must be provided with oxygen and nutrients and from which carbon dioxide and metabolic by-products must be promptly removed. In other words, the restructuring in the mother’s body is also aimed at ensuring the vital activity of the embryo and fetus.

Pregnancy and childbirth are a big burden on the body, which a woman’s healthy body can and should naturally cope with. But if your health is compromised, then certain difficulties may arise, which, if possible, are corrected by doctors.

It is clear that as we age, we do not become younger or healthier, especially if we did not take care of our health in advance.

Theoretically, any extragenital pathology (Extragenital pathology is deviations in the functioning of organs and systems not related to the sexual sphere.) can negatively affect a woman’s reproductive function, because during pregnancy our body works in a special mode.

Here we will talk briefly about changes in the body of the expectant mother in general; Let's look at these changes system by system. In the future, talking about the course of pregnancy month by month, we will talk about specific physiological changes in dynamics.

Changes in a woman's nervous system during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s nervous system is tuned to bear a baby, and reproductive function becomes a priority. The excitability of the uterus decreases, which contributes to its relaxation until the onset of labor, when this organ will again become more excitable to ensure labor. The work of other systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory) is intensely stimulated by the nervous system to complete the task of bearing a child.

It is clear that if a woman experiences stress, her nervous system will also not be able to work coherently and adequately on the task of bearing a child, and various malfunctions in its work are possible (the tone of the uterus, for example, may increase due to negative emotional experiences).

As pregnancy progresses, the excitability of the cerebral cortex changes; excitability decreases somewhat around the middle of pregnancy, then this excitability begins to gradually increase, and twelve days before birth, the excitability of the cerebral cortex decreases again. Excitability of the spinal cord and reflex excitability of the brain, on the contrary, increase by the middle of pregnancy, then gradually become less and increase again approximately two weeks before birth. The longer the pregnancy, the more interoreceptors there are in the uterus, and the sensitivity of these interoreceptors increases. The tone of the autonomic nervous system changes. As a result of all the described changes, a woman may experience frequent mood swings during pregnancy, and opposing emotions may often replace each other; a woman is often irritable, at the same time she is characterized by a state of drowsiness; sometimes she is bothered by mild neuralgic pain; there are cramps in the calf muscles; there may be nausea that ends in vomiting; There are various changes in taste, increased salivation (hypersalivation), and constipation may occur.

Changes in a woman's endocrine system during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the amount of hormones released changes. It should be said that other hormones are released only during pregnancy. Thanks to hormones, certain changes in metabolism occur; hormones influence the growth of the uterus, the preparation of the mammary glands for the secretion of milk, etc. Such an important endocrine gland as the pituitary gland undergoes significant changes. The most important influence on the course of pregnancy is adrenocorticotropic hormone, gonadotropic hormones and lactogenic hormone, which are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. After ovulation ends, the so-called corpus luteum is formed in the ovaries; This is a gland that produces progesterone, a hormone under the influence of which a woman’s body prepares for pregnancy. The mucous membrane of the uterus under the influence of progesterone becomes loose and moist, nutrients accumulate in it; under the influence of the same hormone, the excitability of the uterus decreases; The hormone of the corpus luteum affects the mammary glands - it is under its influence that changes occur in the glands, preparing them for the process of milk formation. The corpus luteum functions actively during approximately twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, then the gland regresses; however, with a decrease in the activity of the corpus luteum, the activity of the placenta increases. The thyroid gland increases its activity at the beginning of pregnancy; however, during the second half of pregnancy, the activity of the thyroid gland decreases. During pregnancy, the parathyroid glands function somewhat more actively than usual. There is a significant increase in the adrenal glands during pregnancy; the size of the adrenal glands increases due to an increase in the number of cells and due to the accumulation of lipoids, in particular cholesterol. Thanks to changes in the activity of the adrenal glands, the tone of many tissues in a woman’s body increases during pregnancy.

Changes in a woman's metabolism during pregnancy

Under the influence of changes in the nervous and endocrine systems in the body of a pregnant woman, the course of metabolic processes (metabolism) changes. Characterized by activation of all metabolic processes. Proteins accumulate in the body quite quickly; they are needed for the growth of the uterus, mammary glands and, of course, for the growth of the intrauterine fetus. The accumulation of carbohydrates is also very active; these substances are deposited not only in the liver and muscles (as usual), but also in the walls of the uterus and in the placenta. Fats also accumulate in the body of the expectant mother - mainly in the subcutaneous tissue. Vitamins (A, groups B, C, E, D) are retained. macro- and microelements necessary for the growth and development of the fetus - salts of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc, etc. In the second half of pregnancy, water begins to be more actively retained in the woman’s body.

Changes in a woman's respiratory system during pregnancy

The load on the respiratory system gradually increases. This is due to the fact that as the fetus grows, it needs more and more oxygen, and at the same time, more and more carbon dioxide needs to be released. The following circumstance is also important: the uterus grows quite quickly and over time puts more and more pressure on the internal organs from below, and they, in turn, put pressure on the diaphragm; therefore, the diaphragm can no longer take the same active part in the act of breathing; in this regard, lung excursion is significantly reduced. To adapt to changed conditions and ensure sufficiently intense gas exchange, a woman has to breathe more often; in addition, her chest expands somewhat - towards the end of the second half of pregnancy this becomes more and more noticeable.

By the end of pregnancy, the expectant mother's need for oxygen almost doubles, and during childbirth it becomes even higher. The volume of oxygen consumed increases, the respiratory muscles work harder to provide the pregnant woman and baby with oxygen, and the chest expands. Therefore, any chronic or acute diseases of a woman’s respiratory tract will most likely complicate this function. The frequency of respiratory movements remains the same during pregnancy (16-18 times per minute).

Changes in a woman's cardiovascular system during pregnancy

The load on the cardiovascular system increases as pregnancy progresses. This happens for several reasons: firstly, an additional circle of blood circulation appears in the body, which is called placental, and this circle becomes larger as the fetus grows and the placenta develops; secondly, the blood volume in a woman’s body gradually increases; thirdly, the network of blood vessels feeding the uterus grows greatly; fourthly, as the uterus grows, the heart experiences increasing pressure from the abdominal cavity, from the diaphragm. As a result of all these changes, new conditions arise in the expectant mother’s body to which the heart has to adapt. The number of heart contractions increases, the muscle layer of the heart hypertrophies. Some women experience changes in blood pressure during pregnancy (however, these changes are short-term) - in the first months of pregnancy, blood pressure increases slightly, and in the last months of pregnancy it increases slightly. It should be said, however, that most women have stable blood pressure during pregnancy.

Changes in the hematopoietic system, in a woman’s blood during pregnancy

As pregnancy progresses, the hematopoietic organs work more and more intensely. The total volume of blood in a woman’s body increases quite significantly (up to 20%). The number of red blood cells increases, and with them the amount of hemoglobin, and the number of leukocytes increases. But basically the blood mass becomes larger due to plasma.

Changes in a woman's digestive system during pregnancy

The restructuring of the functioning of the nervous system and the system of endocrine glands, which occurs from the very beginning of the pregnancy period, has, let us put it this way, some side effect. It is expressed in the appearance of nausea and vomiting in a woman, in certain changes in taste perception, in loss of appetite, etc. Upon completion of the restructuring of the activity of organs and systems, the side effect disappears by itself. During pregnancy, under the influence of the nervous and endocrine systems, the tone of not only the smooth muscles of the uterus decreases, but also the tone of the smooth muscles embedded in the intestinal walls; As a result, intestinal peristaltic activity slows down significantly, which can lead to constipation. The glands that produce digestive juices do not change their activity. During pregnancy, a woman’s liver works with a slightly greater load, since it retains and neutralizes metabolic by-products (which are toxic) not only from the mother’s body, but also from the body of the intrauterine developing fetus. Due to the increase in the size of the uterus, the organs of the digestive system are somewhat mixed in the abdominal cavity, but this does not have any noticeable effect on their functions.

Changes in a woman's urinary system during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the load on the kidneys gradually increases. The larger the fetus becomes, the greater the load on the mother’s kidneys (due to the more intense activity of the kidneys, water metabolism is regulated not only in the mother’s body, but also in the body of the intrauterine fetus; the kidneys also remove metabolic products from the body both from the body of the expectant mother and from fetal body). The volume of urine excreted by a pregnant woman during the day is approximately one and a half liters. Over time, the growing uterus takes up more and more space in the abdominal cavity, so the kidneys and bladder move somewhat. As a result of some displacement of the bladder, the urethra is slightly stretched and straightened. Distension of the bladder also occurs. These changes are especially significant towards the end of the pregnancy period.

Changes in a woman's skin during pregnancy

A very noticeable change due to pregnancy is the appearance of pigmentation. The pigment is deposited in the greatest quantities in the skin of the face, in the areolas (nipple circles) and in the abdominal area - along the so-called white line. The reason for increased pigmentation is the intense activity of the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex. Due to the rapid growth of the pregnant uterus and the enlargement of the abdomen, pregnancy stripes appear on the skin of the abdomen, which are also called stretch marks (the skin is stretched, its connective tissue and elastic elements are separated). Pregnancy streaks occur in most women, but these streaks are most pronounced in women with insufficiently elastic skin. The color of pregnancy stripes varies from reddish to bluish-pink; the stripes do not have a specific direction. Similar stripes can occur on the skin of the mammary glands and on the skin of the thighs; the reason for the appearance of these stripes is different - an increase in fat deposits in the subcutaneous tissue.

Changes in a woman's subcutaneous tissue during pregnancy

A gradual accumulation of fat occurs in the subcutaneous tissue - provided, of course, that the woman’s nutrition is well organized and sufficient. The main places for fat deposition are subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen, thighs and mammary glands. The role of fat deposition is very significant; they represent energy source reserves and building material reserves; in addition, fat deposits successfully perform a protective function - they protect the pregnant uterus, various internal organs and mammary glands from injury, and soften mechanical stress; Fat deposits also help a woman’s body retain heat, and therefore the energy that is spent on heating the body.

Changes in the skeletal system and ligamentous apparatus of a woman during pregnancy

A very important change associated with pregnancy on the part of the supporting apparatus is a fairly significant increase in mobility in the joints of the pelvic bones. The cause of the phenomenon is serous impregnation and loosening of the symphyseal cartilage and simultaneous serous impregnation, stretching of the so-called synovial membranes and joint ligaments. In addition, osteophytes appear on the inner surface of the frontal bone - small pathological bone growths; osteophytes also appear on the inner surface of the parietal bones. These growths arise and develop as a result of local productive inflammation of the periosteum. Osteophytes do not show any symptoms. Having reached a certain size, they stop growing and remain without any changes for quite a long time (many years). There is no need for therapy for osteophytes. If a woman does not eat correctly during pregnancy, if her diet does not contain enough foods that are sources of calcium and phosphorus salts and sources of vitamin D for the body, then this woman may experience softening of the bone tissue. The reason for the phenomenon is simple: these substances are necessary for the proper growth and development of the intrauterine fetus, and if these substances do not enter the mother’s body in the required quantities (the physiological need for them is not met), then they are simply “washed out” from the mother’s bone tissue; the inorganic component of the bones becomes smaller and they soften; At the same time, the teeth suffer greatly.

Changes in a woman's mammary glands during pregnancy

Already in the first trimester of pregnancy, some changes in the mammary glands may occur. Let us remember that these changes are not the least important among the possible signs of pregnancy. In the mammary gland, the number of glandular lobules gradually increases, the lobules themselves increase somewhat in size, so the gland at first seems to become more tense, but then the increase in the size of the gland becomes more and more noticeable. As the gland grows, it needs more nutrition; therefore, the vascular network develops intensively - the blood vessels become wider, their network branches out and becomes denser. Dilated saphenous veins are visible through the skin covering the mammary gland with bluish strands. Over time, the nipples become larger. As the smooth muscles in the nipples become more excitable, the nipples become more sensitive to touch. The pigmentation of the isola is gradually increasing. On the surface of the areola, special nodules protrude, known as the Montgomery glands. When you press on the mammary glands, colostrum is released from the nipples - a thick, sticky, yellowish liquid.

Changes in a woman's genitals during pregnancy

The uterus undergoes the most significant changes in the genital organs in connection with pregnancy. If before pregnancy the length of the organ is approximately 6-8 cm, and the width is within 4-5 cm, then by the end of pregnancy the uterus can reach a length of 40 cm and a width of 27 cm. If before pregnancy the weight of the uterus rarely exceeds 100 grams , then at the end of the pregnancy period the weight of the organ can be from 900 to 1200 grams. The size and weight of the uterus increase due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscles embedded in its walls. Muscle fibers become longer and thicker many times over, and the number of smooth muscle fibers also increases. As the uterus grows, the blood and lymphatic vessels feeding the organ increase in length and thickness, and the number of nerve elements increases. The ligaments that secure the uterus become thicker and longer. The cervix is ​​also preparing for the upcoming birth. Its tissues loosen and soften, due to which the extensibility of the cervix increases. Similar processes - loosening and softening - take place in the walls of the vagina, as well as in the external genitalia. These processes are possible due to the retention of fluid in the tissues. Blood flows to the vagina and external genitalia, so the color of these organs noticeably changes; they become bright red and may even take on a bluish tint. Due to the influx of fluid, the external genitalia become increasingly swollen; Swelling is most pronounced at the end of pregnancy. There are characteristic changes in the ovaries; These organs are slightly enlarged during pregnancy. The corpus luteum functions in one of the ovaries, usually until the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy; then the corpus luteum regresses. During pregnancy, the fallopian tubes thicken. As the uterus grows, the tubes straighten, and at the same time their position changes - from somewhat inclined to almost vertical.

Changes in a woman's immune system during pregnancy

Immunity is the body's immunity to foreign agents (carrying other genetic information).

There are two main types of immunity:

• congenital (or specific); is passed on to us by inheritance, protects against diseases that are unusual for humans, and also introduces some individual characteristics of the immune response to the disease;
• acquired, which we receive in the course of life year after year, encountering certain foreign microorganisms. Such immunity is acquired naturally, when we can directly encounter some disease, as well as artificially in the form of a vaccine against a particular disease (vaccinations are familiar to everyone).

When foreign proteins enter our body, it, having discovered their difference from its own, immediately reacts and begins to produce special cells (antibodies) to combat uninvited guests.

Sperm and a fertilized egg are also foreign cells for the female body, which must be fought, but under normal circumstances it does not do this.

The process of fertilization and implantation of an egg is an immune phenomenon, since our body rejects all foreign cells except sperm and a fertilized egg!

This is the mystery of nature that allows us to get pregnant and give birth to children.

Obviously, a woman must have a good immune system, capable of not failing at a crucial moment and ensuring the implantation of a fertilized egg, its growth and development.

A woman's immunological problems can contribute to miscarriage.

Increased load on a woman’s excretory system during pregnancy

Due to the increasing load on the excretory system, a woman experiences changes in her kidney function during pregnancy. They begin to function with increased load, as it becomes necessary to remove from the mother’s body not only the products of her metabolism, but also the products of the developing baby’s metabolism. Such a “double” load can lead to the appearance of inflammatory diseases of the excretory system (urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis).

During pregnancy, both the anatomy and function of the kidneys change: their size increases, the renal pelvis and ureter expand, the tone of the ureters and bladder decreases, and kidney filtration increases.

The body of a healthy woman can cope with such stress quite well, but if a woman has some kind of kidney pathology, this can affect the course of pregnancy and the condition of the expectant mother.

Not only the kidneys, but also the liver are responsible for removing metabolic products from the mother and baby from the body. Therefore, if a woman had any problems with the liver before pregnancy, it is necessary to inform the doctor about this. Also pay attention to your own condition; if you feel heaviness in the right hypochondrium and aching pain, tell your doctor about it.

During the period of bearing a child, a woman changes radically physiologically and psychologically. All organs and systems, appearance and well-being undergo changes. What do you need to know about the upcoming changes during pregnancy?

When do changes begin in a woman’s body during pregnancy?

The expectant mother does not yet know about her interesting situation, but her body is already restructuring its work. Changes in the body begin from the first days after successful conception. This is fine. The expectant mother does not yet feel toxicosis, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the pregnancy hormone, is already beginning to increase in her blood. This is what doctors call the main identifying sign of successful conception. HCG starts the process of bearing a baby and preparing the body for childbirth.

It is worth noting that internal changes are felt in different ways. For some, already from the first weeks of bearing a child, they begin to feel sick and constantly feel sleepy. Others may not experience any signs of early or late toxicosis at all, despite the fact that everything inside the body is changing. There are women who, almost without feeling physiological changes, change greatly psychologically. They become touchy, whiny, angry, and nervous. And these are also symptoms of hormonal changes.

How the body changes during pregnancy by month

If we talk about the first two months of gestation, the external parameters of the female body have not yet changed. Weight gain is not noticeable in the early stages. More often it's the other way around. Toxicosis leads to the fact that the expectant mother loses a kilogram or two.

At the end of the second or third month, some pregnant women are concerned about increased urination, which is caused by the pressure of the uterus on the bladder and a general increase in the volume of fluid in the body.

Also in the first two months, a woman may feel swelling of the mammary glands. This is due to an increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone in the blood. Also, the area around the nipples darkens and enlarges. Breast sensitivity increases. In some women, the vascular network may even protrude. This is how the mammary glands prepare to supply the baby with milk.

In the first two months, women sometimes experience bleeding. The degree of their danger can only be determined by a doctor.

By the end of the third month, the external parameters of the body hardly change. If a woman had early toxicosis, then her health improves. She continues to go to the toilet more often, but due to the formation of the baby’s excretory system.

The first constipation and heartburn may begin. As for weight, the increase can be a kilogram and a half. Before 12 weeks, many women notice by their clothes that their pelvis has expanded.

Inconvenience in the third month of bearing a baby can be caused by a lack or, conversely, an increase in appetite, headaches, and pigmentation on the face.

From the fourth month of marriage between the fetus and mother, it is time to think about looser clothing. The tummy begins to grow, but others do not notice it yet. By the end of the fourth month, the fundus of the uterus is 17-18 centimeters above the pubic bone. It is during this period that a woman's gait begins to change. The upper part of the body leans back a little, and the stomach moves forward.

The inconveniences of this period are indigestion, bleeding gums, fainting and dizziness, nosebleeds, mild swelling of the feet and ankles.

In the fifth month of pregnancy, many women feel a lack of calcium in the body. This is manifested by problems with the teeth. If a woman consumes few calcium-containing foods, fillings may fall out and teeth may crumble.

Another symptom of calcium deficiency can be leg cramps.

The growth of the uterus is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, constipation, and increased frequency of urination at night. Gums may bleed, varicose veins of the legs or hemorrhoids appear.

Another thing that happens in a woman's body is skin pigmentation on the abdomen.

By the end of the fifth month of bearing a baby, a woman feels the first movements of her child. Her growing belly is noticeable to others. And she herself sees how her hips are rounded and fat deposits appear on them.

In the sixth month of pregnancy, there is a risk of compression of large veins. This is manifested by progressive varicose veins, pain in the legs, and swelling.

By the 24th week of intrauterine development, the baby filled the entire uterine cavity. It increases and stretches, which is felt by all the pelvic organs. The woman is noticeably rounder.

During this period, many pregnant women may feel training contractions (or, as gynecologists also call them, Braxton Gix contractions). They are not painful or dangerous.

Seventh month of pregnancy. The uterus rises high and is already supporting the diaphragm. The whole body feels a load and regular swelling appears. Many women complain of pain in the lower abdomen, increased vaginal discharge, stuffy ears, itchy abdominal skin, and back pain. During this period, as a rule, sleep problems begin, and colostrum may also appear. Most women notice stretch marks on their bodies by this time.

In the eighth month, the uterus is very sensitive to the movements of the baby. A woman feels it with muscle tension. Many begin late toxicosis. The amount of blood in a woman’s body increases by approximately one liter.

By week 36, the uterus moves away from the diaphragm, it moves forward because the baby's head is pressed against the entrance to the pelvis.

The inconveniences of the eighth month are shortness of breath, increasing constipation, swelling of the face and hands, difficulty sleeping, heaviness when walking, fatigue. Visually, the woman becomes clumsy.

The ninth month is the period of maximum increase in the load on the body of a pregnant woman. The stomach goes down. The placenta has exhausted its resources, so the baby “insists” on life outside the womb.

The expectant mother experiences severe pain in her back, legs, and lower abdomen. To maintain balance, the pregnant woman is forced to walk, leaning back. She walks more slowly, more carefully.

The mammary glands become greatly enlarged, and the appearance of colostrum already foreshadows childbirth.

The burden on a woman's body during pregnancy

The cardiovascular system adapts to additional loads. This is due to an increase in the mass of the heart muscle. By the seventh month of the term, the volume of blood in the body increases by one liter. In the last trimester, many women are concerned about increased blood pressure. The activity of the lungs also increases. Increasing the volume of air that is inhaled makes it easier for the fetus to eliminate carbon dioxide through the placenta. By the end of the term, the respiratory rate slightly increases.

A huge load during pregnancy falls on the kidneys. A pregnant woman excretes up to 1600 ml of urine per day, 1200 of which are excreted during the day, and the rest at night. The tone of the bladder decreases, and this can lead to stagnation of urine and promote infection.

Under the influence of hormones, intestinal tone also decreases, which leads to frequent constipation. The stomach is compressed, and some of its contents are sometimes thrown into the esophagus, which causes heartburn in the second half of pregnancy.

The main barrier organ, the liver, also works with double load. It neutralizes metabolic products of the expectant mother and fetus.

Increased pressure on joints. Particularly mobile under the influence of growing body weight are the joints of the pelvis.

In the mammary glands, the number of lobules and the amount of adipose tissue increases. Breasts can double in size. The uterus experiences the greatest changes, which complicates the work of all organs of the small pelvis. The volume of her cavity increases approximately 500 times before birth. This occurs due to an increase in the size of muscle fibers.

The position of the uterus changes in parallel with its size. By the end of the first trimester, the organ “extends” beyond the pelvis. The uterus reaches the hypochondrium closer to childbirth. It stays in the right position thanks to the ligaments that stretch and thicken. But the pain that pregnant women experience in the third trimester is just caused by the tension of these ligaments.

Since the blood supply to the genital organs increases, varicose veins may appear on the labia. The growth of the fetus in the womb contributes to an increase in her body weight.

By the end of pregnancy, a healthy woman's weight increases by an average of 12 kilograms. But an increase from 8 to 18 is allowed. In the first half of the term, the weight can increase by 4-5 kilograms. In the second half of pregnancy, this figure is twice as high. Usually visually, weight gain in overweight women is not visible, but thin women are noticeably rounded. They are more difficult to bear the increasing load on the body.

Especially for - Diana Rudenko

With the onset of pregnancy, a woman's body begins to rebuild in a new way. Changes occur both physiologically and psychologically. All body systems are adjusted in the best way for the development of the fetus, as well as for the period of childbirth and feeding. During this period, all organs of the expectant mother experience significant stress and increase in size. This is why a woman’s chronic diseases can worsen during pregnancy. It's worth keeping this in mind. That is why it is advisable to immediately register with a antenatal clinic and carry out the necessary tests in order to keep your well-being, and, accordingly, the well-being of your unborn baby under control.

Changes in the cardiovascular system

When a woman becomes pregnant, she begins to represent a system: mother - placenta - blood. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy a woman develops a new organ – the placenta. The organs begin to experience a serious load due to the placenta. First of all, the heart is stressed.

The placental circulation appears.

The heart muscle literally increases in volume. The placenta doubles the blood volume in the body.

It is due to changes in the functioning of the heart and the volume of a woman's circulating blood that pregnant women may suffer from varicose veins. Enlarged veins in the legs during pregnancy indicate that the uterus is putting significant pressure on the veins. Typically, this is a hereditary problem. If relatives suffered from varicose veins during pregnancy, then it is advisable for the expectant mother to follow these rules to avoid its occurrence:

• Monitor your weight during pregnancy to avoid sudden changes.
• Do not sit or lie for a long time, help blood circulation with movement.
• raise your legs more often while lying down so that the blood drains from the lower extremities
• wear elastic tights.
• eat foods rich in vitamin C

Lungs

The expectant mother needs more oxygen. Therefore, the respiratory system of a pregnant woman works twice as powerful. There is an elevation of the diaphragm by approximately 4 cm. But despite this, the volume of the lungs increases at the expense of the chest. In this case, the frequency of inhalation and exhalation does not change until late pregnancy. This is why shortness of breath during pregnancy can be alarming; if it occurs, you should consult a doctor.

Kidneys

Greater stress on the kidneys in the body of a pregnant woman is due to the fact that now The kidneys remove metabolic products from the body not only of the mother, but also of the baby. During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone is actively produced, which reduces the tone of the bladder, which can lead to stagnation of urine. This is why pregnant women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections, relapses of cystitis or pyelonephritis. To avoid these situations, it is important for pregnant women to drink a lot of clean water; you can also drink diuretic teas to prevent cystitis.

Changes in the digestive organs

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (toxicosis) are caused by nothing more than changes in the functioning of the digestive organs of the pregnant woman. A pregnant woman’s taste sensations also change.

Did you know that a woman’s sense of smell during pregnancy becomes 11 times stronger! This is how nature protects it from unwanted products.

An aversion to certain smells may appear, or there may be a very clear and distinct desire for a certain taste in the mouth. Pregnant women may experience constipation. This is due to placental hormones that affect intestinal tone. Heartburn in pregnancy is due to the fact that the pregnant uterus displaces the intestines and stomach, as a result of which some of the stomach contents can back up into the esophagus, thereby causing heartburn. The expectant mother can relieve herself of these unpleasant sensations by taking antacid medications(Rennie) and eating at least two hours before bedtime.

Changes in the reproductive system

The reproductive system undergoes the greatest changes during pregnancy. First of all, the uterus changes. The pregnant uterus is constantly growing.

The volume of the uterus by the end of pregnancy increases by about 500 times!

This occurs due to placental hormones, which help stretch muscle fibers. Irregular uterine contractions are noted, becoming more frequent towards the end of pregnancy. Thus, this body prepares for childbirth. The entire uterus is entwined with blood vessels, and their number increases.

Depending on the timing of pregnancy, the position of the uterus also changes. In the third month, it extends beyond the pelvis, and in the last stages of pregnancy, the uterus reaches the hypochondrium. The correct position is ensured by ligaments, which during this period thicken and stretch. It is because of the tension of the ligaments that pregnant women may experience pain on the sides of the abdomen when they change body position.

The external organs of the reproductive system swell during pregnancy. There may even be slight varicose veins, this is due to the strong blood flow.

Mammary gland

With the onset of pregnancy, the mammary glands begin to prepare for lactation. This manifests itself in an increase in the amount of adipose tissue and the number of lobules in the breast. The breast of a pregnant woman increases and swells.

Psychological changes during pregnancy

Changes in a pregnant woman's hormonal levels also affect her psychological health. The emotional background of the expectant mother becomes unstable. A woman can become very upset and cry over a trifle. Sometimes there is causeless worry and anxiety. The mood can change several times per hour, from ecstatic joy to deep sadness. The sooner a woman realizes that this nervousness is associated with an “interesting situation,” the milder the mood swings will be. To subordinate your feelings to your mind, you need to understand their cause; various psychological techniques will also come to the rescue:

• develop your sense of humor. Make fun of yourself and the situation itself - this will help cope with negative emotions.
• don't push yourself. Accept your pregnancy and change your lifestyle to accommodate it. Understand that now you can no longer work as before and do a lot of things.
• If you are a rather patient person, you can try meditation or auto-training, this will also help you relax.
• don't hold back your emotions. If you want to cry, give free rein to your tears.
• Share your concerns with loved ones who can listen and support.
• Remember that these mood swings are temporary and that after childbirth your hormonal levels will stabilize.

Perhaps the most important thing is to treat yourself and your situation with love and understanding. Don’t demand too much from yourself, find the advantages of an “interesting position.”, dream about the future baby, prepare for his appearance. All this will help reduce negative emotions during pregnancy to a minimum. But it is clear that a pregnant woman cannot and should not be in a blissful state all the time. Accept all your emotions.

Did you know that the baby inside the mother can dance, cry and laugh? Listen to good music to cheer yourself and your baby up.

To better understand yourself and what happens to your body during pregnancy, read literature on this topic. When you understand why you experience certain sensations, half of your worries will go away. Be a competent expectant mother.

Video - changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy

It’s hard not to notice that the woman waiting for the birth of an heir is changing. But these changes are not only external. What happens inside the body? How do individual organs and systems of a woman react to the birth of a new life? Is the load too heavy? Let's talk about this now.

“Strength test” and weight gain

From the first days, the fetus needs oxygen and nutrients. The mother's body itself begins to gradually prepare for childbirth and breastfeeding the baby. New tasks affect almost the entire mother’s body: the structure of organs during pregnancy changes somewhat, and their functionality expands. These changes are programmed by nature, but this does not make them any less noticeable. The stress on the mother’s body increases significantly and becomes a kind of “strength test”. Those organs that previously worked on the verge of normal may malfunction. By supporting the mother’s body in a timely manner, we obtain a certain margin of safety for the fetus.

Not only the location of organs changes during pregnancy, but also body weight; an increase of 10-12 kg over the entire 9 months is considered the norm. But the initial indicators should also be taken into account, first of all, BMI - body mass index, that is, a harmonious ratio of weight and height.

Breasts and genitals during pregnancy

The most pronounced changes are observed in the genital system of the expectant mother. During pregnancy, the genitals transform according to the growth of the embryo. First of all, this is noticeable in the example of the uterus, which not only constantly increases in size, but also changes shape from pear-shaped in the first weeks to round, and then ovoid. Mucus accumulates in the cervix, and for good reason: it will subsequently help the baby move more easily through the birth canal. The vascular system of the uterus is also undergoing changes; it is replenished with new large blood vessels, which significantly improves the process of supplying the placenta with nutrients and oxygen. The ovaries enlarge and change position.

Changes in the mammary glands become a response to the need to prepare for future lactation. They occur in parallel with hormonal changes, leading to an increase in the production of such important hormones as progesterone, prolactin, and estrogen. Towards the end of the term, the mammary gland begins to produce colostrum.

Skeleton and muscular system

Not only internal organs are rebuilt during pregnancy. The skeletal system of a pregnant woman is influenced by an increase in the concentration of relaxin and progesterone in the blood, and these hormones, in turn, contribute to the process of leaching of calcium. This microelement is not simply taken from the mother’s skeleton; calcium is used to form the bone tissue of the fetus. At the same time, another physiological reaction occurs: the pelvic bones and their joints become more elastic, which contributes to the non-traumatic movement of the child along the birth canal. The danger is leaching of calcium from the spine and foot bones. To avoid flat feet, it is important to choose the right shoes: low heels, with arch support. And the spine will be helped by wearing a bandage and special gymnastics.

The cardiovascular system

During the period of bearing a child, the volume of blood in a woman’s vessels increases significantly: by one and a half liters. Accordingly, the intensity of the cardiovascular system also increases. The pulse becomes faster, the contraction of the heart is forced to throw more blood into the aorta. The venous system is most vulnerable during this period. Varicose veins become a frequent complication, and not only due to the increasing weight load on the lower extremities.

The deformation of the inferior vena cava, which is responsible for collecting blood from the uterus, pelvic organs and legs, also plays a significant role. This vessel is located to the right of the spine, and when a woman sleeps on her back, it is compressed. The greater the body weight, the stronger the circulatory disturbance in the organs listed above. That is why expectant mothers are not recommended to sleep in a supine position, but using a pillow placed under their feet promotes freer blood flow. In addition, the increase in erythrocyte mass lags somewhat behind the overall increase in blood volume, while blood viscosity decreases. To improve blood composition, mothers are prescribed iron supplements.

Respiratory, digestive and other systems

The development of the fetus requires more and more oxygen, so the volume of air a woman inhales increases. Breathing becomes more frequent, but this is not critical for the mother’s body, since progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchial walls, causing the airway lumens to become wider.

The location of the organs changes somewhat during pregnancy due to the pressure of the fetus on the abdominal cavity. But this is not the only reason for the changes taking place. Progesterone has a serious effect on the digestive organs, reducing the level of intestinal motility. At the same time, the glands begin to secrete more saliva, and the concentration of hydrochloric acid decreases. This manifests itself in the appearance of heartburn and a tendency to constipation. Some disruptions also affect the functionality of the gallbladder, bladder, and kidneys, but they are also temporary.