This cannot fail but be a fairly superficial
treatment of the subject of pregnancy. As a man I cannot ever hope (fear?) to truly
experience what it is like to be pregnant. (Though my wife has gone through the experience
twice so I've experienced it in a vicarious fashion). Most of this information is taken
from Conception, Pregnancy and Birth by Dr. Miriam Stoppard (published by
Macmillan Canada, ISBN 0-7715-9011-3. This write up was created to help a male player
understand what his female character was going through. It's a fairly rulesy approach to
the subject for which I make no apologies. I leave what the baby is going through to more
expert accounts. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and no offense is intended.
This overview assumes a single baby, multiple babies
are generally born earlier and affect the mother differently.
Pregnancy
A "normal" pregnancy is said to last 38
weeks which is conveniently divided into thirds called trimesters. (The interesting part
of all this is how close term is an actual Gloranthan year, only four weeks shy. (Up to 42
weeks is considered permissible, after that labour is induced). Coincidence? I wonder.)
This is mostly a convenient convention rather than a hard reality. I've followed Dr.
Stoppard's book and divided the pregnancy into four week periods for descriptive purposes.
Actual real world symptoms are followed by possible game system/roleplaying effects.
First Trimester (12 Weeks)
Overall Symptoms
Moods may change capriciously, libido may increase
or decrease. Food preferences may change towards a more bland diet. Weight change will be
small during this stage. An increased need for water or other beverages is present. Many
women suffer from being on a hormonal roller coaster with unexplained mood swings and feel
worried and anxious.
First Four Weeks
Symptoms
Many women never notice any symptoms at this early
stage. Some women feel slightly pre- menstrual and may pass urine more frequently. Most
women will notice that their breasts feel sore and heavy, while their nipples tingle. Soon
after this veins will become visible on the surface of the breast. Some women even feel
sick at this stage.
Game Effects
Mostly roleplaying possibilities. Warriors might
have trouble waiting in ambush with a full bladder (who wouldn't?). Chest armour may be
too uncomfortable to wear without adjustment.
Up to Eight Weeks
Symptoms
Metabolic rate changes. More protein and calories
are required. Fatigue sets in and most women get tired more easily and some women even
feel faint at times. Women who are subject to skin problems just before their periods may
experience the same problem. Other women have dry and itchy skin. Morning sickness can
occur. This varies greatly and some women suffer more than others. This can range from
mild sickness to sever vomiting. Hormonal changes may cause some women to become weepy or
otherwise emotionally Need
Game Effects
Character needs to eat more often and more protein.
Fatigue loss during battle could be doubled or increased by an extra every other round. A
warrior would be pretty fit and this may not be the case. Armour still uncomfortable.
Formerly stalwart warriors may have trouble not retching after battles or when seeing
bloody sights.
Up to Twelve Weeks
Symptoms
Weight increase begins (usually only 2-4 lbs during
the first 12 weeks. May be less if morning sickness is particularly severe). Hormones
begin to settle. Hands and feet are almost always warm due to increased blood flow.
Game Effects
Some earlier effects continue.
Second Trimester
Overall Symptoms
Weight gain will usually be around 12 pounds. Your
waistline disappears. Pigmentation may darken. Musculature in your intestinal tract
loosens and this often causes heartburn and constipation. Backache is common due to
ligaments of the sacroiliac loosening. Ligaments and cartilage in pelvis also loosen which
makes pelvis more flexible. Ribs are often sore. Hormonal levels often balance out. This
leaves the mother more serene and positive. Hair may become thicker and shinier and your
complexion becomes clear and glowing.
Up to Sixteen Weeks
Symptoms
Nipples darken in color and may tingle and may feel
sore. Near the end of this period you may feel the baby moving. Energy levels may increase
and you may have extra energy and vitality.
Game Effects
Some earlier effects continue. Extra fatigue loss
should stop.
Up to Twenty Weeks
Symptoms
Nausea should disappear. Energy and sense of fun
should return. Mood change for the better often occurs. Baby movements increase. (Mothers
feel this to be a wonderful thing). Stretch marks occur. Tiny red marks appear in skin due
to broken blood vessels. These usually disappear after birth. Heartburn and constipation
occur. Perspiration may increase and shortness of breath may occur.
Game Effects
Mostly roleplaying effects.
Up to Twenty-Four Weeks
Symptoms
Baby movements should be felt every day. Weight gain
begins to range 1 pound a week. Rib pain occurs because the baby is pushing up your rib
cage and spreading out your lower ribs.. Indigestion and heartburn may occur. Stretching
of uterine wall may result in stitchlike pain in your abdomen.
Game Effects
Mostly roleplaying effects. Armour and clothes are
outgrown and need replacing.
Up to Twenty-Eight Weeks
Symptoms
Urination increases due to baby pressing on your
bladder. Sleep may be difficult if you are big. Lower back pain is common. Lifting should
be avoided.
Game Effects
Mostly roleplaying effects. It's time to take a
break from adventuring.
Third Trimester
Overall Symptoms
Another 10 pounds are gained on average. The
expectant mother is tired most of the time and often has trouble sleeping because of the
inability to find a comfortable position. Walking becomes uncomfortable due to softened
ligaments. Until the baby settles in the pelvis some mothers have trouble breathing due to
pressure on the diaphragm. Shortness of breath is common. The mother to be should spend a
fair bit of time sitting in a semi-propped psoition. Hypertension may be a problem.
Symptoms are swollen and puffy hands, wrists, ankles and feet. Backache is very common and
tiredness is a problem.
Up to Thirty-Two Weeks
Symptoms
Braxton Hicks contractions start. Some women never
feel these though. Pelvis may ache.
Game Effects
Mostly roleplaying effects.
Up to Thirty-Eight Weeks
Symptoms
At 36 weeks most babies engage. This means their
heads drop into the mother's pelvis. This makes breathing easier and the mother feels more
comfortable. Many women compensate for the extra weight in front by leaning back. Line of
vision changes because of this and your centre of gravity alters so you may bump into
things or drop things accidentally. Sleep is difficult but getting lots of rest is very
important. Nesting instinct may kick in. This should be resisted in order to conserve
energy for giving birth.
Giving Birth
Any time from 37 to 42 weeks birth may occur. The
longer it takes to occur the bigger the baby will be and the more difficult the birthing
experience. Any birth before 37 weeks is considered to be a premature one. The
duration/details of giving birth I again leave to the experts.
This page last modified March 10, 2000
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