A CHAPTER FOR WIVES AND MOTHERS 485 



The nipple becomes darker in color, and the ring 

 around it, technically termed the areola, also acquires 

 a deeper hue, and extends its circle. Little tubercules 

 make their appearance upon the surface. At this 

 period, dark spots, closely resembling liver spots, make 

 their appearance upon the face and hands. These dif- 

 fer from liver spots in that they usually disappear verj^ 

 speedily after childbirth. 



4. Increase in the Size of the Wonih. By the end of 

 the second month, the womb acquires sufficient increase 

 in size to cause it to settle down into the pelvis, in con- 

 sequence of which the abdomen acquires an unnatural 

 flatness characteristic of this condition. 



5. Beating of the Fetal Heart. Between the third 

 and fourth months, the fetus has attained sufficient 

 growth to enable the experienced observer to hear the 

 beating of the heart. This is the first sign of preg- 

 nancy. The beating of the fetal heart is to be distin- 

 guished from that of the mother by its frequency, which 

 is usually about one hundred and thirty or one hundred 

 and fifty beats per minute. 



6. Quickening. This term is usually applied to the 

 first feeling of the movements of the child by the 

 mother. They may be felt any time by a quick tap on 

 the abdomen. 



7. Continued enlargement of the fetus takes place 

 from its rapid growth at this time. 



8. Near the termination of pregnancy, the uterus 

 becomes so greatly enlarged that severe pressure is 

 made upon the stomach, which occasions a return of 

 the nausea and vomiting. 



9. Leucorrhea. During the last few weeks of preg- 

 nancy, the congested state of the blood vessels of the 

 vagina occasions a leucorrheal discharge. 



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