What Are The Signs Of A Healthy & Normal Pregnancy?

Posted By Dr. Deepti Asthana on 22-02-2021

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Do you want to gain insights into the signs of healthy pregnancy? Want to differentiate between a normal pregnancy and a cause of worry?

If your answers are in the affirmative, this blog on the signs of healthy pregnancy may be of great interest to you.

Table Of Contents

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:

1. Optimal Weight gain during pregnancy
2. Normal Foetal growth
3. Foetal movement
4. Tender and Enlarged Breasts
5. Morning Sickness
6. The right blood pressure and blood sugar levels
7. Position of the baby at the time of pre-labour

Takeaway

1. Optimal Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Congratulations on your first step towards a healthy and normal pregnancy! You are probably now experiencing changes in your body. You may also be noticing that the female body is capable of miraculous feats including increasing the volume of blood in the body by as much as 50 percent. As you walk onto your journey of motherhood, you will experience some signs of healthy pregnancy such as a blossomed body.

A healthy weight gain differs for every woman during pregnancy. There is no exact number of how many kilograms or pounds you should gain. That said, too much weight or too little weight is not healthy for the to-be mother and the baby.

Your gynecologist will record your body mass index (BMI) at the first prenatal checkup.

If you are underweight and the BMI is less than 18.5, the ideal weight gain for one baby is 28-40 pounds and 50-62 pounds in case of a twin pregnancy.

• If you have an average weight and the BMI is between 18.5-24.9, the ideal weight for one baby is 25-35 pounds and 37-54 pounds in case of a twin pregnancy.
• If you are overweight and the BMI is between 25-29.9, the ideal weight for one baby is 15-25 pounds and 31-50 pounds in case of a twin pregnancy.
• If you are obese and the BMI is equal to or greater than 30, the ideal weight for one baby is 11-20 pounds and 25-42 pounds in case of a twin pregnancy.

Excessive weight gain should always be alarming and should be investigated accordingly.

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2. Normal Foetal Growth

Your unborn baby goes through different growth and development phases as it matures into a full-term foetus. During the first six weeks of the first trimester, the inner layers of the fertilised egg, which is referred to as inner cell mass, will eventually develop into the lungs, brain, intestines and central nervous systems. During week 6 to 12, the head of the baby starts accommodating enlarging brain and the limbs start to develop; this is a normal pregnancy symptom.

During week 13 to 16 (second trimester), the limbs of the baby get fully developed and may move vigorously on certain occasions. During the weeks 17 to 24, fine hairs on the body and hair on the head of the baby start developing. During the week 25 to 28, the eye lens of the baby can be seen and the eyelids start opening.

During week 29 to 34 (third trimester), the skin of the baby starts becoming more pinkish and the fetal movements start getting more varied. During the week 35 to 40, the head of the baby starts getting more proportionate as compared to the body size. The baby is considered matured fully from week 37 onwards.

Level 1 and level 2 ultrasounds are done at specific gestational ages to confirm normal development of fetal organs and rule out obvious anomalies.

3. Foetal Movement

The baby may start moving as early as 16-18 weeks of pregnancy but a majority of women generally feel the movement between weeks 18 to 24. Women who are expecting for the first time may not experience the movements of the baby until they are into more than 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Females with anterior placenta may experience these a little late.

4. Tender and Enlarged Breasts

Pregnancy can contribute to the breasts becoming swollen, tender, or sore. The veins on the breasts may start appearing more visible than usual if breast soreness is caused by pregnancy. This may also make the areolas appear bumpier and larger.

During pregnancy, there is a shift in the levels of progesterone and estrogen (hormones) that prepare the body of a woman for breastfeeding. These changes may include soreness and swelling, and the nipples can become more erect. In the second trimester (weeks 13-28), the skin surrounding the nipples may start getting dark. The breasts may start hurting in the third trimester (weeks 29-40). Small amounts of colostrum, which is a precursor to breast milk, may start getting leaked from the breasts (this is a normal pregnancy symptom and you don’t have to worry about it).

5. Morning Sickness

Pregnant women may experience morning sickness as early as 6-7 weeks into pregnancy. It starts peaking around the 8-9 weeks, getting worse at 10th to 16th week. Most women experience vomiting and nausea, which are the signs of healthy pregnancy that generally subside between weeks 12-16 of pregnancy. Few females may not or experience just little nausea, that is also perfectly fine.

6. The Right Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels

During pregnancy, it is important to keep a close check on your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. It is important to get regular checkups and follow-ups in all the pregnancy trimesters. This is simply because blood pressure and blood sugar levels tend to fluctuate (a normal pregnancy symptom). A sudden and very high spike in any of the levels can be dangerous and may even force you into preterm labour.

If you want to know more about the ideal blood sugar and blood pressure levels and how to identify signs of healthy pregnancy, you can reach out to Kalosa Obs & Gynae Clinic. The experts will guide you thoroughly and answer all your queries.

7. Position of the baby at the time of pre-labour

During the ninth month, the baby's movement becomes little less and the baby starts to adopt a head-first position. The baby then starts approaching the birth canal.

To know more about signs of healthy pregnancy, pre-and post-pregnancy care, call Kalosa Obs & Gynae Clinic now.

Takeaway

Dr Deepti Asthana is an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist, practising at Kalosa Obs & Gynae Clinic and Fortis Hospital, gurugram. She will help you with identifying the possible signs of healthy pregnancy and differentiate between a normal pregnancy symptom and a potential cause of worry, so that you are always protected.

At Kalosa Obs & Gynae Clinic, you will get the best treatment, consultation, and care with the latest techniques and at an affordable cost. Whether you are looking for the best pregnancy treatment or compassionate care, Kalosa offers everything that to-be mothers and babies need.