Prenatal Information > What to Expect

Your Body:

• You were about two weeks pregnant when you missed your first period.
• You may feel sick, and yes, morning sickness can last all day.
• You might be more tired than normal.
• Your breasts may be sore.
• You should not be gaining any weight just yet.
• Proper nutrition and avoiding harmful drugs is very important already.

CBC -- Complete Blood Count

The CBC test looks at the overall make-up of your blood. Your provider will look specifically at your hemoglobin to make sure you are not anemic. Your provider may want you to take an iron supplement if it is determined that you are anemic, since anemia can make you feel even more tired than normal.

Your Body:

• Morning sickness continues.
• Your breasts may be getting larger and more tender.
• You may be feeling more tired.
• You may gain a pound or two this month. Too much weight gain may lead to difficulty losing those extra pounds after pregnancy.
• Your uterus is beginning to crowd your bladder and you may urinate more often, maybe even in the middle of the night.
• Increased blood supply to your vagina and cervix may lead to pink, blood-tinged discharge, especially after sex.
• Thick, white sticky discharge is also normal.

Your Body:

• Morning sickness may or may not go away.
• You may have more energy.
• You may gain 2-3 pounds this month.
• You may be able to feel the top of your uterus in your lower abdomen.
• You may still urinate frequency.
• You might be constipated at times.
• You may be happy one minute and sad the next; mood swings.

What is AFP?
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein made by your baby as he or she grows. During pregnancy, AFP is found in the amniotic fluid and in small amounts in the mother's blood stream. In some women there may be more or less AFP. This does NOT always mean there is a problem with the baby, but it does mean you may want to have more testing done. AFP testing consists of a simple blood test. This test is done between your 15-20 weeks of pregnancy.

Your Body:

• You are beginning to show a baby bump.
• You gain about a pound per week.
• Your nipples, the area around your nipples and the line down the middle of your abdomen may darken.
• You are less tired.
• You may enjoy your pregnancy now. You may crave certain foods.
• The top of your uterus will be near your belly button by the end of this month.
• You will need to get maternity clothes.

Your Body:

• You feel good most of the time.
• You are wearing maternity clothes.
• You continue to gain about 1 pound per week.
• Your breasts grow larger and softer and the veins may be visible.
• You may leak colostrum from your breasts.
• Your hair may feel thicker and oilier.
• You may feel occasional contractions (tightening of your uterus that is not painful) especially after sex.
• You may continue to be emotional.

Your Body:

• You continue to gain about 1 pound per week.
• You may develop stretch marks on your belly, thighs, hips and breasts.
• Tightening of the uterine muscle (Braxton-hicks contractions) is preparing your body for labor.
• You may experience heartburn. Especially after heavy or spicy meals. Avoiding spicy foods and lying down for an hour after meals may help.
• Your sex drive may increase and decrease from week to week.

One-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test:
This test should be done between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Take your order sheet to registration and they will send you to the lab. The lab technician will ask you to drink some syrup and wait for one hour. At the end of the hour the lab technician will draw your blood. Your blood will then be tested to determine how much sugar it still contains. If the results are high you will need to have a three-hour glucose tolerance test.

Your body:

• You may gain weight a little faster this month because your baby is now in his or her fastest growing period.
• You may notice kicking against your ribs.
• You can see your abdomen move as the baby moves.
• You may feel awkward and tire easily.
• Your hands, feet and ankles may swell. Avoiding standing for a long time when you can and avoid too much salt and soda in your diet.
• Your breasts may leak. You may need padding in your bra now.
• You may have mild back pain from the shift in weight. Tylenol or a cold pack may help.

Your body:

• You may be feeling uncomfortable now.
• Sleeping may become difficult as it is difficult to find a comfortable position.
• You may feel short of breath because the baby is near your rib cage.
• You may be able to feel parts of your baby through your abdomen.
• You will once again need to urinate more often, maybe even in the middle of the night.
• You may notice increased vaginal discharge.
• You may get hemorrhoids.
• You might have heartburn.
• You might tire easily.

Your body:

• You are tired of being pregnant and ready for delivery.
• Your abdomen is getting bigger and it may look lopsided when the baby moves.
• Your hands, feet and ankles may swell. Continue to limit salt intake.
• You may feel pressure in your lower belly and pelvis as the baby drops into position for birth. The Braxton-Hicks contractions are more frequent.
• You continue to urinate frequently.
• Sleeping continues to be difficult.
• You tire easily.

What Does Fetal Movement Count Mean?
Fetal movement count is the number of times the baby moves during a given period. Babies do not move constantly. They may sleep for about 20 minutes and then wake up and move around. One way to check on your baby's health before birth is to count the number of times he or she moves during a certain period each day.