Heinz - Tinytums

Her body

For the first couple of months your partner won't look pregnant, so her pregnancy may not seem real but massive changes are going on inside her body nonetheless.

Tiredness and morning sickness can dominate early on as the pregnancy becomes established.  Her breasts will begin to change almost immediately, increasing in size - however fascinating you find this, be warned, they will also be extremely tender at this time.  Mood swings and heightened emotions are another aspect of this stage which you will both need to deal with.

During the second trimester, the middle months, your partner may bloom.  With extra blood circulating about her body, her skin is plumped up and glowing.  With pregnancy hormones slowing down the usual process of hair loss, her hair is thick and gorgeous and, best of all, the extra oestrogen in her body may give her libido a boost.

By the time your partner is in her final weeks of pregnancy she may feel more like a juggernaut than a goddess - heavy, tired and nervous about the birth.  There is increasing pressure on her bladder (she may need to go to the toilet frequently), pressure on her back causing aches and pains, her ankles may swell and heartburn is common.  Be kind.

As her bump gets bigger, you may wonder if her mind is turning to mush.  The hormones pumping round her body during pregnancy can certainly affect her short-term memory and concentration so forgetfulness is common.  Be reassured, she’ll be back to her razor-sharp self once the pregnancy is over.