Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Roberta Ellis is in her final trimester. She is due the first week of June. - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
EVERY WOMAN who has had a child will admit that it's the most wonderful experience. Bringing new life into the world is an awesome privilege. However, that miracle is preceded by nine months of constant physical and emotional changes every three months.
Every woman is different and so is every pregnancy. As we continue our focus on mothers and children during May, Flair spoke to three women in different trimesters to find out exactly what happens at each stage.
FIRST TRIMESTER (First three months)
At 23 years old, Melissa Morgan is 11 weeks pregnant.
Most of the changes that are necessary to accommodate the growth of the baby begin in the first trimester. However, these symptoms vary from woman to woman.
So far, Morgan has escaped the dreaded morning sickness. She hasn't gained any noticeable weight. "So far, I'm not showing; just by looking at me you could never tell that I'm pregnant. My complexion has become lighter and my thighs and breasts seem larger."
However, she says, "I am very moody." She is very lethargic and, therefore, sleeps a lot. She has also lost her appetite. "I am eating much less and I have no desire for the foods that I used to eat. My doctor says I should try and eat."
In her first trimester, Morgan has not experienced morning sickness. Instead, it seems her boyfriend has taken on that role. "My child's father was throwing up and had a fever for about three weeks. But, so far, I have not been feeling any morning sickness."
SECOND TRIMESTER (Three to six months)
At 30 years old, Angie Llewlyn* is in the second trimester of her second pregnancy. Her first was a miscarriage in 1998, and this made her very cautious about conceiving again. "I'm not nervous (anymore). Since I found out I was pregnant, I've been praying for it."
Llewlyn is now 18 weeks (four months and two weeks) with twins. "I look at it (this pregnancy), as a miracle from God. For the one I lost, I got two."
CHANGES
She notes that in the second trimester she is now vomiting once a week, down from two to three times per day during her first trimester. "When I used to throw up I thought it was the worst thing to happen and I was very tired. I asked God why?
She has gained 17 pounds.
Her appetite has increased. She notes that now she's able to eat things she didn't before and couldn't because of her nausea. She's also consuming more fluids especially water and craves mangoes, pineapples, pizza and KFC's hot and spicy chicken.
"By the second month, I had lost my appetite for sex."
She has mood swings and often feels depressed and alone. She is also very short tempered and snaps easily.
She has also had an outbreak of acne especially on her face and a break-out of her eczema.
"I don't sleep well at nights. They are moving much more now, especially in response to their father's voice."
Llewlyn is now on bed rest. She was diagnosed with cervical incompetence. As a result, she had Shirodkar sutures (stitches).
With three months to go, Llewlyn has only one concern: "Having two healthy babies is my main concern."
THIRD TRIMESTER (Six to nine months)
Twenty-seven-year-old Roberta Ellis is in the final trimester of her first pregnancy.
With a projected delivery date of June 9, her foetal movements have increased. "The foetal movements are more vigorous and so obvious sometimes you can see the movement through the clothing. It feels like an octopus."
However, Ellis takes great joy in these experiences. "It feels good to know that you have a little person growing inside of you who has life."
Her daily routines are a bit more challenging, for instance, simple things like bending over.
In the final trimester, she also has difficulty sleeping comfortably at nights. Her most comfortable position is on her side.
She has moderately swollen ankles.
No heartburn or varicose veins.
Ellis' cravings are still there but not so serious that her husband has to get up in the middle of the night to get her food. She also has a craving for mangoes which was never her favourite fruit. Ellis has gained 18 1/2 pounds.
"I'm going much slower now and have shortness of breath. I'm more anxious now, especially about the actual delivery. I am dreading the pain." Ellis has opted for a natural birth.
"I think I've been very blessed, I'm having it so easy when some people get very sick. I have nothing to worry about and no complications. This goes to show how pregnancies vary," she said beaming.
Flair hopes all mothers and mothers to be had a wonderful Mother's Day. We wish the latter happy and healthy bundles of joy and to those who are grieving remember, "Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning."
*Name changed
