Ultrasound on early stages(diagnoses pregnancy, excludes ectopic pregnancy);
Ultrasound at 12 weeks (no abnormalities in embryo development are diagnosed);
laboratory tests (including maternal blood tests, screening for developmental anomalies);
sometimes chorionic fibers are examined (if the risk of developmental anomalies and genetic mutations is high).
Hypertonicity or training contractions?
Obstetricians say that in the second and third trimester the main task of the embryo is to grow, since the rudiments of organs and systems have already formed. It is important to stay healthy at this stage expectant mother and prevent deviations during pregnancy. Hypertonicity of the uterus is not normal under any circumstances - this threatens the development of fetal hypoxia and the risk of miscarriage. Nagging pain in the lumbosacral region, a feeling of a “petrified uterus” are signs of hypertonicity. Unlike hypertonicity, training contractions, which can begin as early as the beginning of the second trimester, pass quickly, alternating periods of tension and relaxation of the uterus. Remember, a “stone” stomach and severe pain in the lower back are hypertonicity, you need urgent medical care.Excess weight: is swelling or excessive appetite to blame?
Increased appetite and thirst accompany almost every pregnant woman. However, in some cases, these symptoms may indicate gestational diabetes. To do this, they conduct a blood test for glucose levels (donate blood for sugar). If these indicators are normal, then overweight- the result of excessive consumption of food.During pregnancy, the kidneys work in an enhanced mode: they are put under pressure by the enlarged uterus, and there is additional stress due to an increase in the volume of circulating blood and the consumption of pregnant fluid in a larger volume than usual. Moderate swelling is not a pathology, but extensive swelling threatens serious gestosis and can lead to malnutrition of the fetus and provoke a persistent increase in blood pressure. To understand whether you have fluid retention, you need to monitor the amount of fluid you drink and excrete for at least a week. If the difference between the values is more than 100-300 ml, you have fluid retention.
What studies are performed in the second and third trimesters?
During the second and third trimesters, an ultrasound examination is performed to exclude pathologies of the fetus and placenta. The doctor looks at the volume amniotic fluid, placenta insertion site and blood flow study. It is impossible to obtain this data using subjective methods, and therefore you should not refuse diagnostics. At the same time, fetal developmental abnormalities can be diagnosed. If you plan to continue the pregnancy in any case, then it is even more worthwhile to go for additional diagnostics. Knowledge about fetal development disorders, many of which can be successfully treated, will allow you to prepare for the birth of a special child, find good specialists to eliminate violations.Colostrum is normal
Enlarged breasts, increased sensitivity in the nipple area and the appearance of colostrum are a sign of a normal pregnancy. Indirectly, based on the condition of the breast, you can understand that everything is fine with the child. If you are pregnant, then the hormonal status changes - the breasts sharply decrease, colostrum ceases to be released. The absence of colostrum is not a deviation; in some women it appears the day before or only after childbirth.Fetal movements: what is normal?
Normally, a woman feels fetal movements from 17-22 weeks. Every day you need to record up to 12 cycles of movement or note the presence of fetal activity every hour. Both calm and active behavior can indicate both normality and pathology. If your baby is always calm, and it is confirmed that there is no fetal hypoxia, then this is the norm for a particular pregnancy. A sharp change in the behavior of the fetus may be a cause for concern: an active child has become lethargic, and a calm child has become too active. You should contact your local obstetrician or call an ambulance.Arterial hypertension is dangerous for the development of convulsive syndrome
An increase in blood pressure even by several tens of units is a cause for concern and hospitalization for a pregnant woman. The fetus experiences oxygen starvation, developmental delay may occur, and one of the most dangerous complications of pregnancy is eclampsia and the occurrence of convulsions. Convulsions can lead to placental abruption, intrauterine fetal death, fractures in a pregnant woman and premature birth. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and you feel a sharp headache, which is combined with loss of orientation in space, dazedness, tunnel vision, seek medical help immediately.Bloody discharge is always a cause for concern
The discharge of bright scarlet blood is always dangerous. A common myth that menstruation passes through the pregnant uterus can cause miscarriage. Sometimes the discharge of coagulated blood may occur several days after an instrumental examination in a chair. The reason for this is a loose cervix and vaginal walls, as well as increased vascular permeability, and not the carelessness of the doctor, as many believe.You should know that the presence of complications during the first pregnancy does not in any way affect the course of subsequent pregnancies. Often during the first pregnancy, women notice hypertonicity of the uterus, nausea causes them great inconvenience, as does increased sensitivity of the nipples. Multiparous women are more ready for changes in the body, and therefore the characteristic, sometimes unpleasant sensations do not cause them serious discomfort, and complications such as hypertension and the risk of developing eclampsia in
This topic is very exciting and delicate. Talking about this is always difficult and joyless. But you can’t remain silent either, because undeveloped pregnancies, unfortunately, are not that uncommon today.
If the fetus froze at term, when a rather large belly was already visible, then it may decrease slightly in size. For more later Freezing will be indicated by the absence of movements for an extended period of time.
Whenever a misfortune occurs, a woman may feel very bad for no apparent reason, as it seems to her.
The described signs of a non-developing pregnancy can appear individually or in combination, several at a time, or be completely absent - in each individual case everything happens differently.
We sincerely hope that this information will forever remain theoretical and unclaimed for you. But if, God forbid, something else happens, then don’t be upset: 80-90% of women successfully carry their next pregnancy to term. Moreover, the chances of success increase if the pregnancy is planned in advance, undergoes and is properly prepared for motherhood (and fatherhood too).
Especially for- Elena Kichak
Many families are planning to give birth to a child and are looking forward to the moment when they can find out whether the attempt was successful or not.
Women study all kinds of literature and try to find at least something about pregnancy and its signs. They listen to their feelings with trepidation. Is it possible to be pregnant without symptoms? Let's take a closer look.
What are pregnancy symptoms?
Symptoms or signs of pregnancy are physiological changes that women notice in themselves when they are in an interesting position. Although they cannot be called symptoms. This concept concerns illness, not normality. healthy condition women. In this article we will use the term “signs of pregnancy” that occur in women in the early stages.
Knowing the main symptoms, a woman can easily guess whether she is pregnant or not. You can confirm or refute guesses with the help of tests and analyses.
Reliable signs of pregnancy
According to statistics, 7 girls out of 100 note that their pregnancy proceeded without signs. Although this statement cannot be considered reliable, because some symptoms may be confused with other processes occurring in the body.
Some women find out they are pregnant while in their third month. And there are several reasons why expectant mothers claimed that the pregnancy proceeded without the first signs:
- Menstruation can also occur in the first two months of pregnancy, after the egg has been fertilized. If you are concerned about the condition of the baby in the womb, then you need to go to an appointment with a gynecologist.
- A woman may mistake changes in taste sensations for whims or oddities of the body.
- Girls blame frequent mood swings on fatigue or hormonal surges.
- Nausea in the morning is a negative reaction of the body to certain foods eaten last evening, but not toxicosis, the girls are sure.
- From the above, it becomes clear that pregnancy without symptoms is a rare occurrence. The symptoms may be mild, but they are still there. And it’s worth listening to your body.
Is there even a pregnancy without signs in the early stages? Of course, a complete absence of symptoms is unlikely, especially in the first three months.
Asymptomatic pregnancy is a reality
A natural sign of pregnancy is a growing belly. It is by the presence of this change that pregnancy can be determined. On the other hand, not all expectant mothers experience a pronounced increase in volume. As mentioned above, menstruation may be present in the first trimester. Toxicosis, breast enlargement or swelling, weakness and drowsiness may not be felt at all.
Approximately 10 women out of 100 who have given birth will say with confidence that pregnancy without symptoms occurs. The exact reasons for this phenomenon have not been identified. Most often, gynecologists are faced with cases of late detection of pregnancy, when a woman comes to an appointment and complains of an enlarged belly and strange sensations.
Sometimes expectant mothers complain of minor ailments, such as morning sickness, whitish discharge and delay. But these signs are taken not for pregnancy, but for a malfunction of the body.
Doctors advise to undergo timely examinations and tests in order to monitor your own health. Periodic examination will help prevent the development of various diseases and detect pregnancy in time. After all, women are often interested in the question: is pregnancy without signs possible? This can happen, but there is no need to worry about this, each body is individual and can react specifically to conception.
No early signs
Some women may not notice changes at all - in this case, pregnancy proceeds without symptoms. This applies to girls who normally had problems with the menstrual cycle, so it is sometimes difficult for them to realize that their body has become the site of fetal development. The situation is clarified at a later date during an examination by a gynecologist.
On the 8-10th day after unprotected sexual intercourse, the process of fertilization occurs in the body, after which the embryo is attached to the uterus. During this period, a woman may experience discharge similar to menstruation, so many mistakenly believe that conception has definitely not occurred.
After the gynecologist discovers pregnancy, the woman begins to worry about the absence of any symptoms. But that's okay. Yes, many girls feel nauseous at first, some eat chalk, others cookies with ketchup, but this does not mean that all pregnant women should have such signs. There are no definitions of right and wrong pregnancy. Each girl will experience this period individually.
Are periods dangerous?
If pregnancy is established, but menstruation continues, then this is a cause for concern for doctors and expectant mother. Such cases are extremely rare. Menstruation in the early stages indicates the process of implantation or detachment of the fertilized egg. In such cases, the woman experiences a thin spotting with blood.
Pregnancy without symptoms in the early stages is common. For example, this happens when the fertilized egg does not have time to implant before the onset of menstruation. There may be slight delays - from 5 to 15 days. A delay without signs of pregnancy cannot be considered as confirmation or refutation of the fact of fertilization.
Refutation or confirmation?
Helps to reliably determine pregnancy ultrasound examination and certain tests. But not every woman is ready to undergo paid tests, especially if everything is fine with her health.
In Brazil there was a very interesting case. 27-year-old Fernanda Claudia gave birth to her daughter while swimming. The girl was born healthy, weighing about 3 kilograms. After a sudden home birth, a woman went to the medical center herself and told her story. unusual story doctors. It turns out that she had no idea she was pregnant until she started giving birth. This case shocked the public and doctors.
It is important to remember that early pregnancy can only be determined by ultrasound and hCG analysis. Gynecologists also recommend listening to the following advice:
- If you experience a sudden nagging pain in the lower abdomen, you should see a specialist, especially if you suspect that you are pregnant. Pain may be evidence of a threat of miscarriage, the occurrence of inflammatory processes and contractions of the uterus. There is no need to self-medicate, because you do not know the exact causes of pain.
- If pregnancy is confirmed, then it is advisable to reconsider all your life priorities and passions. It is necessary to adjust your diet, because food should be healthy. It is also important to completely refuse bad habits, which include smoking and alcohol.
- If you are worried that your pregnancy is progressing without signs, then it is better to talk to a psychologist who will help you “come to your senses.”
- Don't panic if your pregnancy is different from others. Each organism has its own individual physiological characteristics, and its reaction to bearing a baby is difficult to predict.
About the main thing!
Did you find out that you are pregnant? And it doesn’t matter whether it is early or late, whether it proceeds like everyone else or is asymptomatic. It is important to remember only one thing - no stress and anxiety.
Spend more time for yourself, relax, walk and breathe fresh air. Only the harmony of your physical and mental state will allow you to experience all the delights of motherhood, starting from the early stages of pregnancy.
Most first-time mothers are naturally concerned about how the pregnancy is going, whether it is proceeding well, without complications, especially in the early stages. Currently, obstetricians and gynecologists are involved in pregnancy management.
In order to optimally monitor the condition of the expectant mother and fetus, doctors recommend regularly visiting an antenatal clinic.
Registration of a pregnant woman at a dispensary
How can a woman understand that pregnancy is going well in the early stages? It is quite difficult to independently determine the nature of the course of pregnancy in the first trimester. Only qualified specialists can answer this question after conducting an appropriate examination. Therefore, it is very important that a pregnant woman attends an antenatal clinic as early as possible, preferably before the 12th week.
If contraindications for continuing pregnancy are identified, then in the first trimester you can still use gentle methods to terminate it. Timely registration at the dispensary and further regular visits to the obstetrician-gynecologist, according to the established schedule, largely determine the normal course of pregnancy.
The schedule of visits to the antenatal clinic, scheduled by the supervising doctor, must be followed unquestioningly.
Physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman
How can you understand that pregnancy is developing normally without taking into account the opinion of doctors? To do this, you need to focus on your general condition and feelings. Carrying a child will definitely lead to physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman. What changes in her body can a woman notice that will indicate a normal course of pregnancy:
- Appearance.
- Performance of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
- Functionality of the kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Appearance
It will be quite natural for a pregnant woman to acquire a characteristic appearance, which was unusual for her before conceiving a child:
- In addition to the appearance of a tummy, there is a slight increase in the size of the limbs, a decrease in the range of movements in the hip joints, and a change in facial features. Due to the shift in the center of gravity, a woman’s gait and posture changes.
- There is darkening of the skin (pigmentation) in the face, abdomen and nipple area.
- The veins on the lower extremities become more visible. Varicose veins may even appear, which were not typical before conception.
- Due to the enlargement of the abdomen, so-called striae (stripes, stretch marks on the skin) often form on its surface.
- During the period of bearing a child, in some cases a moderate increase in body temperature (low-grade fever) is recorded. As a rule, this is observed up to 4 months and is associated with normal hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman. By the way, an increase in rectal temperature is considered to be one of the early signs of pregnancy.
- The mammary glands undergo significant changes, the swelling and increase in volume of which is simply impossible not to notice. The size of the nipples also increases. In addition, due to pigmentation, the nipples and area around the nipple become dark brown.
Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
As a rule, the first trimester is characterized by low blood pressure, but starting from approximately the 29th week, there is a tendency to increase, which sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose true hypertension. With the growth of the fetus and the enlargement of the uterus, the heart rate also increases slightly (within 84–90 beats per minute).
Fluctuations in blood pressure and hormonal changes in the female body often lead to disruption of the heart, which can manifest itself as arrhythmias and extrasystoles.
The additional load on the lungs, associated with the fact that you have to provide oxygen not only to yourself, but also to the fetus, leads to the development of shortness of breath. Pregnant women, especially in later stages, experience certain difficulties in performing normal physical activity. An attack of shortness of breath and rapid fatigue can be observed even when climbing stairs just a few floors.
Nevertheless, all this is considered within normal limits, unless, of course, the pregnant woman suffers from some pathology of the cardiovascular and/or respiratory systems.
Digestive and urinary systems
Quite often, women's positions change dramatically taste preferences. Some pregnant women develop a sharp aversion to certain types of foods (for example, meat, cheese, sausages, butter), while others may generally be drawn to inedible things (clay, chalk).
In some cases, there is an increase in appetite, in others, on the contrary, a significant decrease. Also, due to decreased intestinal tone, pregnant women are more prone to constipation. This is normal and does not require correction with medications, except by changing your diet.
Increased stress on the kidneys often leads to frequent urination. In the absence of other symptoms, frequent urination should be attributed to natural physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman, and not to the clinical manifestation of any disease.
No one is saying that you have to endure any discomfort or, even worse, pain. Any changes in your health should be reported to your doctor. And he will decide how serious this is.
Signs of a normal pregnancy
What you should pay attention to first of all in order to find out that pregnancy, both in the early and late stages, is proceeding normally:
- Weight gain.
- Abdominal enlargement.
- Fetal movement.
- Fetal heartbeat.
- Pain.
- Vaginal discharge.
- The appearance of colostrum.
Weight gain
Fetal development, uterine enlargement, fluid retention, restructuring of metabolic processes - all this naturally causes the progressive weight gain of a pregnant woman. On average, the body weight of the expectant mother during the entire period of bearing a child increases by 10–12 kg, of which:
- About 6 kg are the fetus, placenta and amniotic fluid.
- 1–2 kg is due to the growth of the uterus and mammary glands.
- 3–4 kg is an immediate weight gain.
In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body weight remains virtually unchanged. By the end of the 12th week, there is some increase, which can be up to 2 kg. In the second trimester, a woman usually gains 300 grams per week. In the third trimester, the increase is already up to 400 grams per week.
A few days before giving birth, regular changes in metabolic processes lead to the fact that a pregnant woman’s body weight can decrease by 1–2 kg.
It should be remembered that these are average data, which may vary in each specific case. In addition, weight gain, among other things, can be influenced by factors such as individual and constitutional characteristics of the body, as well as heredity.
Fetal movement
The baby makes its first movements at 8 weeks, but they are not yet noticeable to the woman. It is generally accepted that fetal movement begins to be felt at 16–20 weeks. Multiparous mothers are familiar with this feeling firsthand, which is why they record it earlier. motor activity unborn child than first-time mothers. It is also worth noting that due to the lack of fat deposits on the front wall of the abdomen, slimmer girls perceive the baby’s movements more quickly than plump ones.
Make a note of the date you feel your first fetal movement as this will help your healthcare provider determine your expected due date. As a rule, for a primipara it is necessary to add 20 weeks, for a multiparous woman - 22. The intensity of movements will help you assess the baby's health. Excessive activity is just as bad as a significant reduction or complete cessation of movement.
To monitor the child’s activity, a specially developed test is used, which can be used at home starting from the 28th week. From 9 am to 9 pm it is necessary to count the number of movements and record every 10. Normally, the tenth movement is usually observed before 5 pm. If over the course of 12 hours you notice that the child has moved less than 10 times, then you should inform the doctor about this. If not a single movement is noted for the whole day, then you should immediately go to the hospital.
By the movement of the fetus, a woman herself can understand how her pregnancy is progressing, whether everything is developing normally, or whether she needs to immediately seek help.
Fetal heartbeat
One of the most important signs The normal course of pregnancy is the fetal heartbeat. The first signs of the heart of the unborn baby can be determined using a special vaginal ultrasound sensor already in the early stages of pregnancy (3–4 weeks). Features of changes in fetal heart rate:
- At weeks 4–6, your heart rate will be 80–85 beats per minute.
- At 6–8 weeks, the heart rate will increase to 110–130 beats per minute.
- At 8–10 weeks, the heart rate can reach 190 beats per minute.
- From the 11th week until delivery, your heart rate will be between 140 and 160 bpm.
Heart rate can be used to assess the general condition of the fetus. The baby’s heart instantly reacts to any changes that occur to a pregnant woman (stress, various diseases, physical activity). For example, a heart rate that is too fast may indicate long-term problems with the blood supply to the fetus, which leads to insufficient oxygen and nutrients.
A slowdown in the rhythm will indicate a sharp deterioration in the condition of the fetus, requiring emergency measures up to and including surgical delivery.
Pain
During pregnancy, painful sensations of varying nature, intensity and localization often occur. Most of them are considered a natural physiological process in response to changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman:
- Due to the enlargement of the uterus, its own ligaments, which are attached to the iliac bones, are stretched, and pain occurs in the area of the inguinal folds and above the pubis. This could be due to sudden turns, fast movements, or even just coughing. Such pain does not pose a danger to a woman or child.
- Due to a tendency to constipation, pregnant women often experience nagging pain in the lower abdomen (usually on the left side). To prevent constipation, pay attention to your diet. Your diet should include sufficient amounts fermented milk products and dishes containing more fiber. In addition, regular physical activity of moderate intensity has a positive effect on intestinal motility.
- Due to some divergence of the symphysis pubis under the influence of the hormone relaxin produced by the ovaries and placenta, pain in the pubic area may be observed. Such changes in the location of the pelvic bones are necessary to facilitate the passage of the baby through the birth canal.
If sufficiently intense and severe pain occurs, you should seek help from a qualified specialist. It is not recommended to take any medications or perform any manipulations to relieve pain without informing your supervising physician.
Vaginal discharge
During the entire period of pregnancy, vaginal discharge is observed. And this is a completely normal phenomenon if their character meets a number of parameters. What vaginal discharge is considered normal?
Abundant, transparent, white, without unpleasant odor and not accompanied by itching or burning in the genital area. At the same time, the following discharges are considered pathological, requiring identification of the cause and special treatment:
- Yellow. It is necessary to undergo appropriate tests to exclude sexually transmitted diseases (for example, gonorrhea).
- Abundant white accompanied by itching and burning . Moreover, it has a cheesy consistency. The most common cause of such discharge is vaginal candidiasis or thrush.
- Green. The reasons can be very diverse, but most often associated with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Brown. Under no circumstances should you delay visiting an obstetrician-gynecologist. This type of discharge could be caused by ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, cervical injury, etc.
- Bloody . They are considered the most dangerous of all possible pathological discharges, and if detected, you must urgently see your supervising doctor.
Most often, spotting indicates ectopic pregnancy, development of miscarriage, premature placental abruption, damage to the vagina and/or cervix.
Colostrum
For some pregnant women, any changes in the body that they were not warned about cause serious concern. For example, the appearance of colostrum before birth can even cause them to have a panic attack. We hasten to assure you that there is no reason to worry. It is normal to leak colostrum while pregnant. No pathology can be traced here.
In addition, the absence of colostrum secretion before birth is also not considered a deviation from the norm.
If you cannot accurately understand whether the pregnancy is progressing well and normally, you should visit an obstetrician-gynecologist as soon as possible, which will dispel all your doubts or take appropriate measures in a timely manner.
