Unit 13, Task 4 Resub
Unit 13- Sexual health
Task 4- Understand the stages of pregnancy and birth and the post-natal care of the mother
P7- Describe the stages of gestation, P8- Explain the birth process, P9- Identify support available
for post-natal mothers, M3- Assess the importance of post-natal care of the mother
Laura Palmer
Christy Gates
,In this assignment I will be describing the stages of gestation, explaining the birth process. I will then
go on to identify support that is available to post-natal mothers, as well as assessing the importance
of post-natal care of the mother.
P7- Describe the stages of gestation
Gestation is the period of growth and development from when an ovum is fertalised right up to the
birth of the baby. Within gestation there are three trimesters which are the stages of gestation.
These trimesters lead right up to the birth of the baby.
Gestation for humans is 40 weeks, although anywhere between 37-42 weeks is normal. If a baby is
born earlier than 34 weeks they are classed as pre-term or premature, this is when a baby is most at
risk of experiencing complications at birth. Between 34 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days’ then a baby
is known as born at late pre-term, this is a safer amount of weeks for a baby to be born. A baby does
not always need neo-natal support if they are born as late pre-term but it will depend on the health
of the baby. Any baby born between 37 and 39 weeks will be classed as born at term. If a baby is
born between 40 and 42 weeks they are classed as late term. A baby is usually not born any later
than 42 weeks as babies will become too big and this will make delivering the baby hard for the
mother.
Pregnancy has three stages; these are called trimesters. The first trimester is from weeks 1 to 13, in
months this is 1 to 3. During the first trimester the mother might experience nausea and vomiting,
often called morning sickness, although it does not occur just during the morning. Many women
experience cravings, some of which can be dangerous to mom and baby if consumed, such as
cravings of coal or aversions to foods. A heightened sense of smell is often experienced by women
during the first trimester, this is due to a change in the hormones. Mood swings are also often
presented during the first trimester, as the hormones change to get the body ready for a growing
baby. Fatigue and headaches are common in the first trimester due to hormone changes. The first
ultrasound is carried out and this is to confirm dating for when the baby is due to arrive. During the
first 13 weeks the placenta, an organ that attaches baby to mother to receive vital nutrients,
develops. A primitive face forms, including the eyes, lower law and throat. The ears, buds, which
eventually develop into arms and legs, as well as the fingers and toes, start to move. By 8 weeks the
heart is functioning and bones have begun to form. By the end of the first trimester the baby is fully
formed, with nails and teeth, as well as a reproductive system. They are between 7.6cm and 10cm
by the end of the first trimester.
The second trimester is when a woman is between 14 and 26 weeks. During this stage of pregnancy,
the mother experiences changes to her nipples. The nipples will become larger and more
pronounced. The shape of the nipple may also change. Skin on and around the breasts stretches to
meet the needs of the body as the breasts increase in size, and they may become itchy or dry due to
this stretching taking place. The nipple and areola, area around the nipple, may become darker in
colour and this is normal in pregnancy. During pregnancy, the woman gains weight as the baby
grows, and this can lead to the development of stretch marks. “They usually appear on your tummy,
or sometimes on your upper thighs and breasts, as your pregnancy progresses and your bump starts
to grow.” (Stretch marks in pregnancy, 2019) A mother’s legs often become sore, and she
experiences swelling of feet and ankles, due to the body holding more water than usual when
pregnant. As the day goes in the water gathers in the lower parts of the body, causing swelling.
Constipation may occur during the pregnancy; this may be because of the hormonal changes. The
, ligaments in the body naturally becomes softer and stretch to prepare the body for labour, and this
can cause pain particularly in the lower back and pelvis. Pubic pain is common in the second
trimester and it is caused by stiffness of the pelvic joints or joints that move unevenly at either the
back or front of your pelvis. There are some things you can do to relieve the pain, it may include
exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, abdomen, back and hip muscles. Pain relief, such as a TENS
machine, may help to relieve pubic pain. At this point a mother will be able to feel her baby moving,
the first few times that a mother feels her baby move it can feel like fluttering sensations, this is also
known as quickening. During the second trimester, the baby’s eyes can blink and the heart and
blood vessels are fully formed. Also, fingers have fingerprints. A baby is also able to suck their
thumbs, yawn and stretch. A baby will begin to make faces during this time during the pregnancy.
The baby’s inner ear is now fully developed and baby responds to sounds, so you feel more
movements when a loud noise is made.
The third trimester is between weeks 27 and 40. The mother will feel strong kicks from the baby. The
feet are often swollen, and expectant mothers need to be cautious when this happens as it may be a
sign of pre-eclampsia in some cases, most cases are due to normal swelling experienced in
pregnancy, but the woman should consult her midwife or GP immediately, as pre-eclampsia can be
serious. A woman may begin to experience leaking from the breasts, this is a substance called
colostrum, that is used for the first breastfeed once the baby is born. Frequent urination occurs
more in this trimester than any other trimester as the baby takes up more bladder space. A woman
will experience difficulty sleeping as she will need to sleep on her side as it is safest. If a woman
sleeps on her back frequently it could cause them to feel lightheaded as the baby presses on the
blood vessel, inferior vena cava, carrying blood back to the heart and brain. It is also difficult for a
woman to sleep as it can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, painful when laying down. A woman
can try curling up on her side with a pillow between her legs and a cushion under the baby bump. A
woman can often experience shortness of breath during the third trimester. This is because the
