gain and altered body shape. Weight gain is due not only to the uterus and its contents but also to the increase in breast tissue, blood and water volume in the form of extra vascular and extra cellular fluid. Deposition of fat and protein and increased cellular water are added to the maternal stores. The average weight gain during pregnancy is 12.5Kg.

Uterus, Cervix and Breasts

During the first few months of pregnancy, hypertrophy of the uterine wall is stimulated chiefly by the action of estrogen and perhaps that of progesterone. After the 3rd month, the increase in uterine size is, in large part, related in some manner to the effect of pressure exerted by the expanding products of conception.

Striking changes occur in the breasts in the early weeks. The pregnant women often experience tenderness and tingling of the breasts. After the 2nd month, the breasts increase in size and become nodular as a result of hypertrophy of the mammary alveoli. As the breasts increase in size, delicate veins become visible just beneath the skin. The changes in the nipples and areolae are even more characteristic.

1.3.2 What are the Important hormonal changes in pregnancy?

Hormones are chemically diverse substances (e.g. steroids; peptides), which are released into the bloodstream in response to some stimulus, and activate cells. The main hormones are Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) which stimulates the production of oestrogen and progesterone within the ovary. It is released very early in pregnancy and is not present at any other time. This is the hormone, which pregnancy tests look for. Production of this hormone diminishes, once the placenta