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Pregnancy journey

Physical changes during pregnancy

C2B6BE3D-0913-4DA8-9B81-7AFD133E9CA5You may see and feel changes to your body during pregnancy - many of these are normal, but if you have any worries or questions please ask your midwife. 

‘Your body’s journey during pregnancy and after birth’ videos on the link here have been developed by the pelvic health physio team at Imperial College Hospital, London. They are a fantastic resource that we urge you to view them. 

The videos include:

  • Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy
  • Posture and positioning during pregnancy and following the birth
  • Bladder and vaginal problems during and after pregnancy
  • Constipation during and after pregnancy

Common symptoms in pregnancy

Information on common symptoms in pregnancy can be found on the NHS website here ; and information regarding pregnancy with an existing health condition, such as asthma, congenital and coronary heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy and being overweight can be accessed here

Morning sickness

Many women experience different degrees of 'morning' sickness, especially during the first part of their pregnancy. Despite the name, the sickness may occur at any time of the day or night. Many women find it manageable to continue, with some changes to their lifestyle - for example many find that eating a lighter diet, but with more frequent and regular meals can help them feel more normal. 

However some women experience a more severe form of morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum which can lead them to become dehydrated and malnourished due to their difficulties in keeping fluids and food down. If you are struggling, please contact your midwife for advice. Some women may need to be admitted to hospital for support with drugs to manage the vomiting, or fluid support but this will be explained to you if it is necessary. You may find if you have suffered before, you are more likely to have difficulties in following pregnancies too. 

For more information about morning sickness, please click here. 

Pregnancy Sickness Support has a helpline that you can call: 024 7638 2020 and a website with information and peer support that you can access free of charge, please click here .  

Changes to your body shape

Women often find that they are changing shape in many areas, not just around their middle, whilst they are pregnant. It is common for your breasts to get bigger, your hips may change shape and even your feet may go up a size! 

These changes are usually just your body preparing for birth or coping with having more weight to carry round with them, and many will return to normal once you have given birth. If you are worried about any changes, talk to your midwife. 

More unusual changes

You may find there are other things you think are different when you are pregnant. You may be more susceptible to different infections, have problems related to stretched muscles such as sciatica, your skin pigment may darken in some places or all over and there may be other niggles that you don't know if they're related to your pregnancy or not. If you have any concerns, contact your midwife.   

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Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Your baby is now the size of a kidney bean and weighs 1g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/8-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Welcome to the second trimester!

Your baby is about the size of a small lime and weighs approximately 14g.

You have hopefully seen your midwife for your 'booking in' appointment, if you have not yet seen a midwife please make an appointment quickly, so you can have all of your choices about screening tests explained and offered to you.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/12-weeks-pregnant/ for more information. You can also link to the 'Pregnancy Journey' area here.  

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Your baby is about the size of an avocado and weighs approximately 100g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/16-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Your baby has grown in length and is now the length of a small banana and weighs approximately 300g. Around this time you will be offered your '20 week' scan, also known as the 'anatomy' or 'anomaly' scan.Click here for more information about screening. 

This is a also a good time to talk and sing to your bump as your baby can now hear sounds. This is great way for you and your partner/family to bond with your baby.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/20-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Your baby has grown again to the approximate length of an ear of sweetcorn and weighs about 600g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/24-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Welcome to the third trimester!

Your baby is now approximately the weight of an aubergine; about 1kg and approximately 37cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/28-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Your baby now weighs approximately the same as a coconut; around 1.5kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/32-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Your baby is now around the same size as a lettuce, approximately 47cm long and weighs around 2.6kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/36-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (9)

Your baby is now the weight of a small watermelon which is approximately 3.3kg and around 50cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/40-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.