A few drops of a
turbid fluid, colostrum, may be pressed from the nipple as early as the
third month. The veins under the skin become larger and more conspicuous.
The rose-colored circles (rings) around the nipples are broadened and are
slightly elevated above the surrounding skin and there is a marked
increase in their pigmentation, the color varying with the complexion of
the individual from reddish pink to brown and black. These changes usually
occur at the beginning of the third month, and if the woman has already
had a child the question of pregnancy has been decided by inspection of
these breast changes.

Bladder.--This is sometimes irritable in the later months, causing a
frequent desire to pass urine. It sometimes occurs in the second or third
week and is sometimes followed, later, by an inability to retain the urine
which escapes at any time. This, however, is not frequent.

[518 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Abdominal changes.--There is a slight flattening of the lower abdomen at
the second month, due to the sinking of the womb. There is also a slight
retraction (drawing back) of the navel. After the third month, when the
womb begins to ascend out of the pelvis, a progressive enlargement of the
abdomen begins and continues until near the end of pregnancy, when the
womb again sinks and the so-called lightening occurs. The protrusion of
the abdomen is more marked usually on the right side. There is often an
increased deposit of fat in the lower portion of the abdomen, as well as
on the hips and thighs. The navel may protrude after the sixth month,

Pigmentation.--Pigmentation or darkening of the middle line of the abdomen
begins by the eighth or twelfth week, and a dark band about 1/8 of an inch
wide extends from the pubis (bone) to and around the navel or even higher.
This shows plainer in brunettes, where it is quite conspicuous.
Discolorations also appear on other parts of the body, especially on the
face, "moth patches."

Quickening.--This is caused by the movement of the child (foetus) in the
womb. The impact of the enlarging womb, through the child (foetal)
movements, against the abdominal wall about the sixteenth week of
pregnancy gives rise to this sensation called quickening. Some women claim
to have experienced this sensation at a much earlier date, and by some it
is not felt at all. Gas in the bowels and contraction of the muscles of
the abdomen may give a chance for mistakes. In the later months of
preg