Ten pounds is the average amount of weight lost following the birth of a child. The weight of the baby, the placenta, and amniotic fluid accounted for this weight loss. For up to two weeks after giving birth, the mother will continue to lose weight due to loss of body fluids; however she will retain 7 lbs of body fat.

According to Sutter Health, some women have Braxton-Hicks contractions during their pregnancy; a Braxton-Hicks contraction is an irregular, non-painful tightening of the uterine layers.

Diastasis recti occurs when the left and right side of the abdominal muscles separate, leaving a gap in the center of the stomach, according to the website Pregnancy-Info.net. This condition is common in pregnant women and premature newborns.

The 28th week marks the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy. Physical and emotional aches and pains are normal and common. As weight gain approaches its peak, women may find it difficult to get comfortable, even while lying down.

Painting during pregnancy is not recommended, because the exact effects of the paint fumes are not well-understood by doctors and scientists. Different types of paint pose different risks to pregnant women.

During pregnancy, the health of the mother can directly affect the health of the unborn baby. Having a fever during pregnancy can have a catastrophic effect on the baby depending on the intensity of the fever and the trimester it occurs in.

From the time a woman learns she is pregnant, with both anxiety and exhilaration, she wonders how her baby is growing and developing and what to expect next. A pregnancy time line helps her keep track of the many changes taking place within her womb and in her own body.

Detection of a normal heartbeat in an unborn baby is one measure of the overall health of the pregnancy. An unborn baby has a heartbeat very early in the pregnancy, when the fetus is still in the embryonic stage.

The sixth month of a pregnancy marks the earliest period in which premature babies have a decent chance at survival.

The American College of Nurse Midwives reports that 25 percent of pregnant women experience some nausea during pregnancy (without vomiting), and 50 percent will have both nausea and vomiting during the first 16 weeks. Nausea and vomiting are the cardinal symptoms of what is commonly referred to as "morning sickness."

Sagging breasts are a common concern for a pregnant woman. Unfortunately, sagging breasts are in a large part genetic. It is also normal for breast tissue to sag with age, regardless of whether a woman ever gives birth. This doesn't mean that preventing or slowing down the process of breast sagging is impossible.

Many patients with chronic pain and other illnesses find relief with Lyrica, but the drug can also cause weight gain. According to the website RxList.com, weight gain is a possible side effect of Lyrica, or pregabalin, which increases in likelihood when the dosage is increased.