Your caseworker will work closely to help with the emotional changes during pregnancy. Our baby adoption specialists know pregnancy is a very big change in any woman’s life, especially when it is unplanned. This pregnancy guide is for women to use as a guide of what physical changes to expect throughout the nine months of pregnancy.
First Trimester – Weeks 1 to 13
The first stage of pregnancy, also referred to as the first trimester, can be the most difficult. Finding out you are pregnant, along with the early pregnancy symptoms as your body adjusts to the influx of hormones and other changes, can be very difficult to digest.
The first trimester brings about the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy, including morning sickness and extreme fatigue. Morning sickness and fatigue usually disappear by weeks 13 to 16. In the meantime, get as much rest as you can. To help curb the morning sickness, eating smaller meals and snacking throughout the day can decrease your symptoms. As for your emotional state, you are probably going through a lot in dealing with being pregnant and the decision of what to do. Talk to as many people as you can to support you through this- family, friends, counselors. Talk to those who will support your feelings, thoughts and ultimately, your decision of what to do. The first trimester is very important to both you and the baby, who is developing inside you, and will require adjustments to your lifestyle. This is a time when the baby does most of his or her developing, and is also the time where he/she stands the biggest chance of acquiring any complications.
Things to Do
- Cut down your intake of caffeine
- Avoid alcohol, drugs and nicotine
- Begin to take prenatal vitamins
- Drink plenty of fluids during the day
- Ensure that you are eating a healthy nutritional diet
- Wear loose fitting clothes
- Consult the doctor before taking any medications
- Keep in close contact with your baby adoption specialist to help you with the emotional changes.
- Pregnancy can be a financial strain. Let us help with all of the free resources and financial assistance including medical and legal expenses, housing during pregnancy, maternity clothes, living expenses, continual birthparent support.
How will be affected
- You will miss your first period
- Your breasts will increase in size as the milk glands will begin to multiply
- You will experience the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy
- You will begin to show at the end of this trimester
Second Trimester – Weeks 13 to 25
The second trimester is usually the easiest on you physically, but can be emotionally challenging for you as you will begin to feel the baby move. Many women choosing adoption have a difficult time during this stage, as the pregnancy becomes more real. Continue to use the resources you have in family, friends and counselors to talk through your feelings and emotions. The second trimester is usually when the morning sickness disappears and you will begin to look and feel pregnant. Overall, your fatigue should improve as well. You may begin, as your body changes, to have back pain, some dizziness and lightheadedness.
How You Will Be Affected
- You may find that moles and freckles will begin to get darker.
- Your breasts will continue to grow in size.
- You may start to retain water resulting in swollen fingers, feet, ankles and legs.
- Your belly will begin getting rounder as you continue to gain weight and will start to look pregnant.
Third Trimester – Weeks 26 to 40
By the end of the third trimester, women on average gain between 25-35 pounds. The back pain may get worse as your body grows. You may also begin to feel a lot of pressure as the baby moves down. The fatigue from the first trimester may return, so be sure to continue to get lots of rest. During this stage of your pregnancy, the baby’s development and growth will be slowing down rapidly and coming to an end. The baby will be moving less and less as he/she grows.
Emotionally, as your pregnancy comes to an end, you may feel excitement that it’s almost over, anxious about the delivery and how things will be after. Again, use the support you have to continue to process your emotions through this time. Work with your counselor to determine how you want things to go at the hospital. Do you want to hold the baby? Do you want contact after the baby is born?
Things to Do
- You will need to visit your healthcare provider every 2 weeks and then every week
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Get as much rest as you can.
- Think about how you want to give birth and have a plan