3 months of pregnancy

Month 3 of pregnancy is the last of the first trimester. Visits to the supervising gynecologist are now regular. During this month, enough tests have already been done, on the basis of which the doctor has drawn conclusions about how the pregnancy is developing and how the fetus is developing.

Usually between the 11th and 13th gestational weeks, an early biochemical screening is ordered to assess the risk of hormonal abnormalities.

Between the 11th and 14th gestational weeks, it is also possible to have an early fetal anatomy scan, which rules out the possibility of malformations.

What happens in the 3rd month of pregnancy?

The previous signs and sensations that were present in the previous month are retained. If you are already familiar with toxicosis, then nausea and morning sickness will be your companion in the third month as well.

A pregnant woman continues to be emotionally unbalanced, which means that her mood will be unstable, she will easily cry and get irritated. Atypical taste preferences and aversion at the smell of certain foods and perfumes still persist.

In the third month, it is possible that all these sensations make the pregnant woman get tired more often and lose patience.

Already the changes in breast size are even more visible. It is even possible to feel itching in the area of the mammary glands. The breasts literally “pour” at a rapid pace. Now is the best time to stock up on special cosmetic products to prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

The appearance of veins on the chest is associated with an increase in the amount of blood circulating throughout the body. You may also notice veins on the legs and abdomen – this is a sign of a predisposition to varicose veins. Control the pace at which you gain weight, don’t sit or stand straight for long periods of time. The doctor may recommend wearing special socks and stockings.

Now is the time to start updating your wardrobe with looser clothing. The belly is yet to grow rapidly, it is not impossible to round the hips and pelvis.

Fetal development in the third month of pregnancy

From the 10-11 gestational week, the embryo already officially bears the definition of a fetus. Its embryonic development is already complete. The rudiments of its organs and systems have been formed. The fetus is actively growing and developing. The placenta is functioning and is charged with the task of supplying the future child with nutrients and oxygen.

By the end of the first trimester, the fetus is moving its arms and legs, able to open its mouth, swallow, and turn its head. In the 11-12 gestational week, it will develop its grasping reflex, and sucking reflex in the 13-14 week.

Already on ultrasound the heartbeat of the child can be fixed. His heart rate is 150 beats per minute.

The third month is remarkable for the formation of the vocal apparatus. This period also marks the “acquisition” of sex, which occurs within 9-12 gestational weeks. Yes, the sex was already clear when the nuclei of the egg and sperm fused, but now the external sex organs are actively forming.

The placenta now fully assumes its role in the synthesis of pregnancy hormones, which was previously performed by the “corpus luteum”.

The good news is that after the first trimester, symptoms such as nausea, irritability, headaches, etc. gradually disappear. This is due to the leading role of the placenta. Its cells make enzymes to “feed” the fetus from the mother’s blood. If there is a deficiency of important nutrients in the pregnant woman’s blood, the fetus will take them directly from the mother’s body through the placenta.

At the end of the third month, the future child is already 7 – 8 cm in size. It weighs about 20-25 grams.

The sensations of a pregnant woman in the third month

Rapid fatigue and a feeling of drowsiness continue to accompany the woman during the 3rd month of pregnancy. It is not impossible to notice that you are more distracted, inattentive or forgetting things.

If you are already complaining of early toxicity, nausea and vomiting, and increased salivation, then these symptoms will persist in this month. Pretty soon, though, they’ll be history.

One of the most unpleasant problems in the third month is headaches. It is due to hormonal changes and sometimes has the intensity of a migraine. If you are looking for a remedy to solve the problem, be sure to consult a doctor. Otherwise, you can lie down briefly, close your eyes and distract yourself with pleasant thoughts until the headache goes away. Another way to cope is with contrast compresses or a shower. The duration of this procedure is about 15 minutes, alternating cold and hot compresses on the forehead.

During the 3rd month of pregnancy, you should not feel pain in the abdomen and lower back. If there is any, it is advisable to consult a doctor. It may be a case of uterine hypertonus and risk of sweating.

Vaginal discharge in the third month of pregnancy

It is possible that during this month you will notice an increase in vaginal currents. This is normal as long as they continue to be light and slightly whitish in hue.

If they change color or their typical smell, become spotty or too thick, be sure to consult a doctor. Any infection puts the baby’s health at risk.

Recommendations for nutrition in the third month of pregnancy

Continue to eat a rational and balanced diet. It is recommended to keep an eye on the quality of foods and the amount of calories you take in.

Eat 5-6 times a day. Consume foods that are warm but not hot.

The menu of a pregnant woman should be rich in protein and include predominantly milk, various dairy products and cottage cheese. Fruits and vegetables are key as they supply her body with fiber, trace elements and vitamins. Grains contain the recommended complex carbohydrates, which are slower to absorb.

Even at this stage of pregnancy, you may face problems such as constipation and increased gas formation. The uterus is actively growing and squeezing the intestines. In addition, due to progesterone, the musculature of the colon is relaxed. This further leads to retention of food in the intestine. It is advisable to eat in such a way as to stimulate optimal stomach and bowel function.

Exclude gas-forming foods such as cabbage, legumes, sweet and fatty foods from the menu. Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink kefir in the evening and water regularly during the day to avoid constipation. You should drink 1.5 litres of water daily. Reduce salt consumption.

Exclude smoked, fatty and baked foods from the menu, as well as confectionery and all other products containing preservatives and artificial colours.

Sex in the first trimester

In the absence of contraindications – for example, increased uterine tone or risk of sweating, sex in the third month of pregnancy is useful. A pregnant woman may still feel reluctance for caresses as she is bothered by nausea, vomiting, severe fatigue, irritability, etc. Very soon these symptoms will disappear.

The recommendation remains for more careful intercourse in which sudden movements and excessive activity are absent.