From the heart beating faster in the first trimester, to food aversions in the second trimester, to the baby moving 30 times an hour in the third trimester, this is what happens to a woman's body during pregnancy
A FASCINATING video shows the incredible changes a woman's body goes through during pregnancy as her organs literally shift to make room for her growing baby.
As the baby grows, a mother must psychically and mentally adapt for the life growing inside her womb.
The video, from the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, lets you watch the internal transformation while mothers describe, in their own words, what they felt during their pregnancy.
The computer generated video shows a woman, standing to the side, with her internal organs on display.
As it moves through the stages of pregnancy, it shows how the internal organs move to accommodate the baby.
During the first trimester, as the womb begins to expand, the intestines begin to move upwards and the heart begins to beat faster.
The placenta begins to form in the womb, under the intestines, to allow vital nutrients to reach the baby.
Then, by the second trimester, the stomach shifts upwards.
The film shows how nutrients are passed through the mother's stomach, into her intestines and to the baby through the placenta.
By the third trimester, the liver has had to shift to make room for the baby.
As the baby becomes full term, the lungs are compressed slightly from the bottom as internal organs continue to get pushed up by the expanding womb.
Then, incredibly, as the woman gives birth, all the internal organs shift back to where they were originally.
The 'Make Room for a Baby' film is an interactive display at the museum.
Users can move an interactive dial to see exactly what happens at specific times in pregnancy, from the heart beating faster in the first trimester, to food aversions in the second trimester, to the baby moving 30 times an hour in the third trimester.
It also contains recounts from mum's about what they experienced during their pregnancy.
Amy said: "With twins, it was fascinating to see body parts kind of everywhere.
"You're like 'oh my god there's two heads. There's a lot of arms and legs'."
Shelley said: "Something that is supposed to be two pounds could be kicking that hard?
"Sometimes it kind of takes your breath away."
Kathryn recalled: "I remember thinking 'I don't know how I am going to get this baby out'."
A normal, full-term pregnancy can range from 37 to 42 weeks and is divided into three trimesters, each lasting about 12 to 14 weeks.
In order to make room for the baby, a woman's body undergoes a huge amount of change and is put under considerable stress.
Here is what happens.
Although you probably don't look very pregnant yet, your body is going through enormous changes.
Your hormone levels change significantly, the placenta and baby begin to grow, your heart race increases and your body ups it's levels of oxygen and nutrients in the blood stream to supply them to the baby.
But with these changes come some side effects.
You may experience fatigue, morning sickness, headaches and constipation.
This is the trimester that is vital to the development of your baby, so it is important you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest.
This is often the most comfortable trimester for most women.
The early symptoms of pregnancy, like morning sickness, will gradually begin to disappear and sleeping will be easier.
You will start to look pregnant and the baby is growing rapidly.
By the end of this trimester, your baby will be almost four times as big as the end of the first trimester.
But as the baby grows you may experience leg cramps and heart burn as the internal organs move and more pressure is put on your stomach.
This is the trimester that you will visit your GP the most in.
They will start to take regular urine, blood tests and regularly check the baby's heartbeat.
They will ,onitor your baby's position and your cervix to see how your body is preparing for birth and minimise complications.
It is a good time to start reading up on childbirth and take birthing classes before your baby arrives.
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