Pregnancy is the period immediately following conception to the time that a woman gives birth. This period of time is grouped into three trimesters, or approximately 40 weeks from the first day of a woman’s last normal period, during which a woman will experience any number of potential symptoms ranging from swollen ankles to fatigue, heartburn, sleeping problems, hemorrhoids, nausea, mood swings and mild contractions. At 37 weeks of gestation, a baby’s organs are fully formed and able to function on their own – so babies born at this time or any week thereafter are considered “full-term.” Morning sickness, or an upset stomach that occurs at any time during the day, is a common symptom in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and physical changes such as stretch marks, noticeable weight gain and darkening of skin on the breasts occur in the second trimester going to the 28th week. In the final trimester, hemorrhoids, swelling of the face (as well as the ankles and fingers), shortness of breath and breast tenderness are often noted, and sometimes the woman’s belly button “pops” outward. While proper diet and exercise can help mitigate some of the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy, there are also several natural therapies that can provide relief. Talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications.
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