Oliver D. Bernuetz's Gaming Materials - Pregnancy in Roleplaying

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 updated March 10, 2000

Last updated December 05, 2017

Glorantha is a trademark of Chaosium, Inc. Gloranthan material on this page is copyright ©1997-2016 by Oliver D. Bernuetz or by the author specifically mentioned on an individual page. Glorantha is the creation of Greg Stafford, and is used with his permission.

Email me at bernuetz@mymts.net