A–Z Glossary

Swelling in pregnancy

Pregnancy swelling is fluid-related puffiness, commonly affecting the feet, ankles, and hands because of increased blood volume and slower venous return.

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Tracking pregnancy symptoms safely

Tracking pregnancy symptoms safely

Why tracking can help without replacing clinical care Pregnancy symptoms are common, variable, and often overlapping. Nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, urinary frequency, constipation, heartburn, backache, sleep disruption, mood changes, and changes in vaginal discharge may appear, disappear, and return as hormonal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and uteroplacental physiology evolve. Research using self-reported data from an online […]

Second and third trimester symptoms explained

Second and third trimester symptoms explained

The big picture: why symptoms change after the first trimester By the second trimester, the placenta is well established, maternal blood volume continues to expand, and the uterus rises out of the pelvis. Hormonal changes, particularly progesterone-mediated smooth muscle relaxation, can slow gastrointestinal transit and relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Relaxin and other connective-tissue changes […]