Health And Lifestyle Issues on Pregnancy

Many pregnant women underestimate lifestyle-related risk factors and available scientific
knowledge during pregnancy. Maternal lifestyle-related health behaviors during pregnancy
impact them and their offspring’s health status. Some common complications of pregnancy
that everyone should ought to know include, but are not limited to, the following:
High blood pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, causes pressure to increase in the arteries
that can make it hard for blood to reach the placenta slowing the growth of the fetus and
place the mother at greater risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia.
Gestational Diabetes
Hormonal changes in gestational diabetes result in the body either not getting enough insulin
from pregnancy or not using it normally. Instead, glucose increases in the blood and causes
diabetes, also called high blood sugar.
Infections
Infections with HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, and TB can complicate pregnancy and may have
serious consequences for a woman. Some infections may pass from mother to child; other
infections can infect a fetus during the pregnancy.
Mental Health Conditions
Depression that persists during pregnancy can make it difficult for a woman to care for
herself and her unborn child. Symptoms include low mood, loss of interest in fun activities,
changes in appetite, sleep, and energy, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts that life is
not worth living.
Placenta Previa
This condition occurs when the placenta covers a portion of the cervix opening inside the
uterus that can result to painless bleeding during the second and third trimesters. If the
bleeding is severe or continues, placental issues may influence how the fetus is delivered.
Miscarriage
Pregnancy loss from natural causes before the 20th week is considered a miscarriage.
Cramping and bleeding are among its symptoms. Spotting early in pregnancy is common but
that does not mean that a miscarriage will occur.
Stillbirth
Still birth is the loss of pregnancy after the 20th week of pregnancy. Health care providers
are unable to determine the cause of death in roughly half of all reported cases. However,
chromosomal abnormalities, placental problems, poor fetal growth, chronic health issues in
the mother, and infection can all contribute to stillbirth.
Reference

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, April 20). What are some common
complications of pregnancy? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development.
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/complications.
 FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Approximate
Time Length/Size and Development
Weight
 Cell Multiplication begins.
 Fertilized egg attaches to the lining of
uterus.
1/100th of an inch
 Internal organs and circulatory system begin
1 month (the thickness of a
to form.
heavy pencil dot)
 Small bumps show the beginning of arms
and legs.
 Gender determined at conception.
 All major body parts have formed.
 Eyes, ears, and nose are developed.
Measures .56 - .8 of
 Tear ducts are forming in eyes.
2 months an inch, weighs no
 The heart is beating.
more than a peanut.
 Fingerprints, hands and feet take shape.
 Fetus moves often, has an exercise routine.
 Can lift head off of chest.
 Eyes and ears have moved closer together
Measures 2.5 inches
 Fetus can frown, yawn, hiccup, suck thumb,
3 months from crown to rump,
open mouth, curl toes.
weighs 2.8 ounces.
 Bones and muscles are growing.
 External genitals are formed.
 Fetus kicks and wiggles toes
 Makes a fist, brings hands together.
Measures 6 – 7  Fingernails start to grow.
4 months inches, weighs about  Kidneys begin to make urine.
2.8 ounces  Sex organs are distinct.
 Floats in a quart of amniotic fluid.
 Placenta is completely formed.
 Fetus drinks and tastes amniotic fluid.
 Fetus plays with umbilical cords.
 Eyebrows, eyelashes are growing.
Measures 8 – 12
 Skin is covered with yellowish substance,
5 months inches, weighs 9
vernix.
ounces.
 Fine hair called lanugo covers body.
 Layer of fat is formed around neck &
shoulders to keep warm.
 Hair is soft and fine.
 Fetus touches and explores body.
Measures 11 – 14
 Moves and manipulates fingers.
6 months inches, weighs 1.2
 Sucks thumb and fingers.
pounds.
 Eyelids begin to part, eyes open.
 Fetus listens to conversations.
7 months Measures 15.75  Fetus is adding fat and gaining muscle
inches, weighs 2.4 control.
pounds.  Hair is growing longer.
 Skin is red and wrinkled.
 Pupils dilate, adjusts to light and dark.
  See shades of red when eyes open.
 Recognizes voices and pain.
 Legs are bent toward chest.
 Lungs are maturing.
 Gaining more fat under skin.
Measures 18.9
 Bones becoming harder.
8 months inches, weighs 4 – 5
 Lanugo disappeared from face.
pounds.
 Fingernails reach fingertips.
 Drinks amniotic fluid, practices swallowing.
 Skin is smooth. Vernix and lanugo
disappear.
Measures 19 – 21
 Position is head down, facing mom’s back.
9 months inches, weighs 6 – 9
 Head will engage in pelvis, enlighten.
pounds.
 Bones in head are soft for birth.
 Movements are limited in womb.

Reference
Meeks, J. (1982). Family Living and Human Reproduction. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill
Publishing Co.