Pregnancy is broken into three stages, called trimesters, and each trimester brings new things, new stages of growth, new discomforts, etc. The following is a look at what to expect in each trimester of pregnancy:

Before we get too in depth, we are going to take a quick look at some of the changes mom can expect during each trimester:

First trimester:

• Menstruation stops
  
• Breasts change, they become fuller, and often experience tenderness. In addition to that there is generally a darkening of the nipple area. Increased hormone production may make your breasts unusually sensitive.
  
• Fatigue or feeling faint is common.
  
• Bloated feeling
  
• Increased need to urinate, you may find yourself waking up several times a night due to the need for urination
  
• Increased vaginal discharge or mucous
  
• Nausea and vomiting, referred to as morning sickness, but can occur at any time of the day.
  
• Nasal congestion and nosebleeds
  
• Skin changes, often you breakout or get dry patches
  
• Changes in weight
  
• Mood swings

Second trimester:

• Backache from larger breasts and gained weight
  
• Braxton Hicks contractions
  
• Breasts change again, they are still large but are usually less tender
  
• Constipation is common
  
• Hemorrhoids occur in some
  
• Headaches are normal due to increased blood flow
  
• Increased urination, but possibly not as frequent as before
  
• Increased vaginal discharge
  
• Heartburn
  
• Itching all over your body, breasts, back, face, arms, etc.
  
• Nasal congestion, nosebleeds, bleeding from gums
  
• Numbness in extremities
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Skin changes
  
• A dark line from the top of pubic area to the navel or higher
  
• Varicose veins in your legs
  
• Leg cramps, often during the night
  
• Food cravings
  
• Weight gain
  
• Mood swings

Third trimester:

• Backache, again due to increased weight
  
• Braxton Hicks contractions
  
• Breast changes, sometimes they start leaking
  
• Constipation
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
• Fatigue
  
• Headaches
  
• Increased urination, back to as bad or worse as the
  
• first trimester
  
• Increased vaginal discharge
  
• Heartburn
  
• Itching
  
• Leg cramps
  
• Nasal congestion and nosebleeds
  
• Numbness
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Skin changes, often including stretch marks
  
• Swelling of the feet or legs
  
• Varicose veins in the legs, as well as other parts of the body
  
• Insomnia or light sleep, inability to sleep at all
  
• Mood swings
  

Now that we have a good overview of how the mom's body changes during the various trimesters, let's take a look at other things you can expect during each trimester.

The First Trimester

During this trimester you want to visit your doctor or prenatal care practitioner, they will do an initial ultra-sound of your baby to ensure that you are indeed pregnant and to establish a due date.

During the first trimester many women experience nausea due to the changes of hormones. It is best to keep something in your stomach at all times, and if it is too bad, get a prescription to help. It is during the first trimester that you will feel especially fatigued. Don't fight it, get as much rest as you can, you will need it in the coming months, and after the baby is born. Your body is working hard to prepare itself to support the pregnancy, and you need to help it out by getting the rest it needs.

In addition to sickness and fatigue, you will need to use the bathroom far more often, frequent urination is to be expected. There are really no exceptions to this. Basically your uterus is getting bigger, and puts pressure on the bladder. You may also leak urine when you sneeze or laugh. Do Kegel exercises to help avoid this. Also, drink less in the evenings so you can sleep better.

Because the first trimester is when the spinal cord, etc. forms, you want to make sure you are getting plenty of folate, iron, protein, and that you are eating healthy, even if you are throwing a lot of what you eat up. If you can, take a prenatal vitamin daily.

If you experience severe dizziness during the first trimester, consult your physician as it may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.

The Second Trimester

Usually during the second trimester the fatigue and morning sickness disappear or at least lessen, and you feel much better. This is the most comfortable stage. You will probably experience some discomfort such as heartburn, but this can be alleviated by eating smaller meals, and taking Tums.

During this trimester your breasts will usually grow quite a bit, they are being stimulated by estrogen and progesterone. Also, the milk-producing glands inside your breasts get larger.

This is the trimester when you start showing. Your belly grows, and your uterus gets heavier, you will likely gain 3-4 pounds a month during this trimester.

Sometimes women experience contractions during this trimester, the uterus may contract to build strength for the big job ahead. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions.

This is also the trimester when women say they get that pregnancy glow. Basically your blood circulation increases which can make your skin healthier. This is also the trimester where you may get a dark line from your navel to pubic bone, and darker nipples.

One of the biggest discomforts during this trimester besides the backache you get from larger breasts and a growing belly is that of nose bleeds or congestion. As pregnancy increases your circulation, more blood flows through your body's mucous membranes. This causes the lining of your nose and airway to swell, which can restrict airflow and lead to snoring, congestion and nosebleeds. Leg cramps are another rather painful discomfort common in the second trimester, they are caused from the pressure from your uterus on the veins returning blood from your legs.

While you experience heartburn and constipation throughout the pregnancy, the second trimester is no exception. Just be sure to get plenty of fluids, fiber, and eat smaller meals to help alleviate these discomforts.

Shortness of breath, or feeling out of shape is also common during this trimester. Basically you are processing more air because the blood has to carry oxygen to the placenta. This can leave you feeling short of breath.

In some cases pregnant women in the second trimester may get bladder and kidney infections.  Basically the hormonal changes your body undergoes during this trimester leads to a slower flow of urine, in addition to which your expanding uterus may get in the way, these factors may lead to infection. Talk to your doctor if you are at all worried as this can lead to preterm labor.

The Third Trimester

This is the final stretch and when real discomfort starts to occur. You forget the minor aches you had before because you get more severe leg cramps, backaches, constipation, heartburn, shortness of breath, and more. Basically the baby is getting bigger and gaining weight, and you have to carry that weight. This leads to increased urination again, as well as your body starting to feel the toll of carrying and supporting this baby.

Braxton Hicks contractions start up again, and can make life scary as you may not know if you are really in labor or not. To help relieve these little pains change your activity, and drink plenty of fluids. They should ease up, if they don't, you may very well be in labor.

This is the trimester where you really start to feel the baby move. It moved before, but the movements become obvious, and while exciting, can increase your discomfort, especially if they push on your pelvic bones, ribs, etc.

Your hips start to separate to accommodate birth, which can be painful, and your back is going to hurt from carrying extra weight, and from pregnancy hormones relaxing the joints.

You may experience other discomforts such as swelling. Swollen feet and ankles are caused by the increased pressure from the uterus on the veins returning blood from your legs. Keep your feet elevated when sitting to help with this.

Spider veins, varicose veins and hemorrhoids may manifest during this trimester of pregnancy, again due to the increased pressure on the veins carrying blood, as well as the increased blood circulation.  Usually they are simply cosmetic, but they can hurt. If you have painful varicose veins, elevate your legs and wear support stockings.

One of the biggest fears of pregnant women manifest during this trimester-stretch marks! Drink plenty of fluid to help skin elasticity. Skin might be itchy as well, use moisturizers to help with this, though it won't prevent it all together.

To add to the discomfort, as delivery approaches, your nipples may start leaking colostrum - the yellowish fluid that will nourish your baby during the first few days of life. This is normal, and a good thing because it means you are ready to help your baby out once it is born, but wearing nursing pads might help alleviate embarrassment and discomfort.

Your baby is sitting on your bladder, so frequent urination should be expected during this trimester. Again, if you leak urine when you laugh, sneeze, etc. do exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.

Weight gain is another thing to consider. During your pregnancy you should gain 25-35 pounds, much of that weight gain comes in the late second trimester, and during the third. Be ready for it, have clothing that will fit you, and comfortable shoes to walk in.