Midwife Jane Answers The Commonly Asked Questions About 3 Months Pregnant
Midwife Jane Mason from the Natural Birthing Company has shared some of the most frequently asked questions she’s received from expectant mums at the three-month mark.
I know that caffeine should be limited in pregnancy but roughly how many cups of tea or coffee is ok? Is there any alternatives to try when wanting a hot drink?
Yes thats right the recommended daily limit is 200mg and youre looking at 75mg in a mug of tea and anywhere from 100-140mg in a mug of coffee. But its not just a tea and coffee thing either because theres around 40mg in a can of cola, 80mg in a can of energy drink and 50mg in a bar of plain chocolate! So it can all soon add up! Theres always decaf versions of tea and coffee and fruity or herbal teas to try as alternatives.
With exercise being a good way to combat stress, is it a good idea to take up exercise that you have not been used to doing?
It depends on what youre thinking of doing really because you will be more prone to sprains and strains due to the changes in your body so its is not the time to suddenly decide to hit the gym and go crazy at the High-Intensity classes! But dont worry there are lots of other more gentle options like swimming, walking and yoga or pilates.
I have lost a stone recently, does losing a lot of weight in the beginning of pregnancy affect my baby and is it something I should be worried about?
Trying For Another Baby
You may want to try for another baby when you and your partner feel physically and emotionally ready.
You’ll probably be advised to wait until you’ve had at least 2 periods after treatment before trying again to allow yourself to recover.
If you were treated with methotrexate, it’s usually recommended that you wait at least 3 months because the medicine could harm your baby if you become pregnant during this time.
Most women who have had an ectopic pregnancy will be able to get pregnant again, even if they’ve had a fallopian tube removed.
Overall, 65% of women achieve a successful pregnancy within 18 months of an ectopic pregnancy. Occasionally, it may be necessary to use fertility treatment such as IVF.
The chances of having another ectopic pregnancy are higher if you’ve had one before, but the risk is still small .
If you do become pregnant again, it’s a good idea to let your GP know as soon as possible so early scans can be carried out to check everything is OK.
How Do I Calculate My Due Date
Still havent checked in with the doc about your estimated due date? Its calculated counting from the first day of your last menstrual period instead of the day you conceived. So try to remember the first day of your LMP and add 40 weeks to that.
If you like math, you can also calculate your due date with the following formula:
- Subtract three months from the first day of your LMP
- Add seven days
- Add one year
For example, if the first day of your LMP was 6/2/2020, subtract three months to get 3/2/2020. Add seven days and you’ll get 3/9/2020. Finally, add one year to find your estimated due date of 3/9/2021.
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Swollen And Tender Breasts
Soreness or tingling in breasts is one of the most common signs of being pregnant. Early in pregnancy breasts will fill out and change shape as they prepare to produce milk. Breasts may become very tender and sensitive for a few months as a result. But, Teresa Pitman, doula and lactation expert, notes: that not all women experience these changes, especially if they have been on birth control pills.
It is possible to know youre pregnant in those first few weekssome women even know from the moment of conception. Here are the very earliest signs of being pregnant, that you might not notice.
What Monitoring May Be Necessary During Your Pregnancy
Electronic fetal monitoring: Sometimes late in pregnancy, a woman who is pregnant may be placed on a fetal monitor to verify the health of the fetus or to see if the woman is in early labor.
Biophysical Profile Test: This is a noninvasive test uses ultrasound to assess whether or not the baby is receiving an adequate supply of oxygen. It is typically performed during high risk pregnancies or if a woman has gone past her due date.
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Announcing Your Pregnancy: The Big Baby Bump Reveal
Theres a good chance youve already let it slip to your nearest and dearest but how about everyone else you know? Poor old Colin in accounts is never going to ask Are you pregnant? no matter how much you stand there rubbing your bump. So, how will you spill the beans?
Pregnancy announcements are a big deal these days and frankly coming up with an original idea is akin to getting a question right on University Challenge. Will you post a picture of your 12-week scan on Facebook or is that a big fat no in your book? A not so cryptic and then there were 3 status update maybe, a pic of your new family car? Train your Pug to bark it…whatever it is and even if you dont do social media, dont pretend you havent daydreamed for weeks about finally telling the world .
How Many Months Does Pregnancy Last
The average pregnancy lasts approximately 280 days from the first day of the last menstrual period until birth.
This works out to about 9 months and approximately 7 days, depending on the particular months being counted.
If pregnancy is counted from conception, instead of the previous period, the length is 266 days from conception to estimated due date. This works out at approximately 8 months and 24 days, depending on the particular months being counted.
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Foetal Development During The Third Month Of Pregnancy
What is your baby like when youre three months pregnant? It would be too early to feel any particular movements but you will feel and experience the babys presence in the womb. You are sure to be curious to know what is happening inside! By the third month, your baby will be about 3.5 inches long weighing approximately 0.04 kilos the size of a ripe plum or lemon. The embryo gets settled inside the uterus and the organs start their growth too.
| BODY PARTS | |
| The kidneys start the excretion of urine into the bladder. | |
| Other parts | Distinct fingers and toes along with fingernails and toenails are formed. The little hands can now open and close. The nose and the ears of the baby will be seen on the scan. The neck will be formed during this time, along with the hair follicles and nipples. |
If you are pregnant with twins, the growth in the 3rd month of pregnancy for the twin foetuses will be the same as above.
What Other Symptoms Can Be Early Signs Of Pregnancy
Every person and every pregnancy is different. So, if you are pregnant, youll likely experience a unique combination of common, not-so-common and sometimes overlapping symptoms. And, they may show up earlier or later than expected. Here are more than a dozen possible symptoms of early pregnancy.
1. Spotting or light bleeding
Many women are surprised to learn that spotting or light bleeding can be an early sign of pregnancy, but about one-third of women experience it. This is often called implantation bleeding because doctors believe it occurs as the fertilized egg attaches itself into the uterine lining.
Implantation bleeding typically occurs 10 to 14 days after conception, which is just before or right around the time your period is due. So, you may think youve gotten your period.
But implantation bleeding is a light flow, which may start and stop over a couple days. And while it can take on a range of colors, its more likely to be pink, brown or light red.
Your period, on the other hand, may start off light in flow and in color but after a couple days becomes heavier, changes to a crimson red color and lasts up to a week or so.
2. Lower abdominal pain or cramping
While cramps and lower-abdominal pain can signal a coming period, they can also be a sign of egg implantation.
But menstrual cramps can often feel like a throbbing or dull ache, and typically start a day or two before your period.
3. Higher basal body temperature
4. Changes in cervical mucus
6. Fatigue
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What Do I Need To Know About Blood Glucose Testing Before And During Pregnancy
How often you check your blood glucose levels may change during pregnancy. You may need to check them more often than you do now. If you didnt need to check your blood glucose before pregnancy, you will probably need to start. Ask your health care team how often and at what times you should check your blood glucose levels. Your blood glucose targets will change during pregnancy. Your health care team also may want you to check your ketone levels if your blood glucose is too high.
Baby’s Intestines And Vocal Cords Are Developing
What else is going on in there? At 13 weeks pregnant, tiny bones are beginning to form in his arms and legs. Because he can move them in a jerky fashion, he may be able to get his thumb into his mouth soon a habit that may come in handy for self-soothing when he’s a newborn.
Your baby’s intestines are also in for some big changes. Until recently, they’ve been growing in a cavity inside the umbilical cord, but they’ve just moved into their permanent and more conveniently located address, in your baby’s abdomen. And to serve your growing fetus’ needs, the placenta is also growing, eventually weighing 1 to 2 pounds at birth.
Also developing this week: your baby’s vocal cords . You obviously can’t hear him crying or cooing just yet, but you can bet that little voice will get a good workout once he’s born.
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Fetal Development At 3 Months Pregnant
OK, now that we know whats up with you what about baby?! At 3 months, your baby is working hard at growing: Theyre now between 2 and 3 inches long and weigh about as much as a lemon.
You probably arent feeling much in the way of movement yet, but that doesnt mean nothing is happening in there. Your babys:
- digestive, muscle, and skeletal systems are developing
- individual fingers and toes on their hands and feet are starting to form
- kidneys are starting to function
- reflexes are developing
- bone marrow is producing white blood cells
- genitals are developing
They might be sucking their thumb or even hiccuping!
What Health Problems Could I Develop During Pregnancy Because Of My Diabetes
Pregnancy can worsen certain long-term diabetes problems, such as eye problems and kidney disease, especially if your blood glucose levels are too high.
You also have a greater chance of developing preeclampsia, sometimes called toxemia, which is when you develop high blood pressure and too much protein in your urine during the second half of pregnancy. Preeclampsia can cause serious or life-threatening problems for you and your baby. The only cure for preeclampsia is to give birth. If you have preeclampsia and have reached 37 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may want to deliver your baby early. Before 37 weeks, you and your doctor may consider other options to help your baby develop as much as possible before he or she is born.
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What Precautions Should You Take If Youre Trying To Conceive And During Early Pregnancy
If youâre trying to get pregnant, you might need to make some healthy lifestyle changes. Since you wonât necessarily know you are pregnant during the first few weeks, itâs best to take some precautions as soon as you start trying to conceive and then continue with them during your pregnancy.
For example, make sure youâre eating healthily and getting regular exercise.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend you start taking folic acid when you start trying for a baby. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the babyâs brain and spine. Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend a prenatal vitamin that contains the 400 micrograms of folic acid needed.
Pre-pregnancy is also a great time to eliminate some less healthy habits. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Some healthcare providers may advise you to limit your caffeine intake, too. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to you and your baby, so if your partner is a smoker, itâs best if he or she quits, too.
Could I Have The Symptoms Of Early Pregnancy And Not Be Pregnant
Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy overlap with other medical conditions, as well as your typical menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can be very similar to pregnancy symptoms. This can make it difficult to tell the difference. You can also miss a period without being pregnant. This can happen when you exercise in extreme amounts, lose or gain a lot of weight, or even are stressed. Breastfeeding can also cause your period to stop for a while.
The best way to know youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. If you have missed a period and think theres a chance you could be pregnant, consider taking a test.
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What To Expect During Your Visit To The Ob/gyn
Your doctor will check the following:
- Your health history and that of your parents
- Any previous medical conditions youve had
- Your weight and blood pressure
- The babys heartbeat, which would only be audible on the hand doppler after 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy
- The size of your abdomen to approximate the size and fundal height of the uterus
When Will Your Baby Be Born
When you find out youâre pregnant, one of your first questions might be âwhen will I get to meet my baby?â For an estimate, try our Due Date Calculator, where you can simply enter the first day of your last period or the date of conception.
Keep in mind, only about 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their due date. Itâs totally normal to give birth in the two weeks either side of your due date. Your healthcare provider can also give you an estimate of when your little one will be born.
Due dates are typically calculated as 280 days, or 40 weeks, from the first day of your last menstrual period. When calculating a due date and the weeks of pregnancy in this way, the first week of pregnancy is actually the week you had your period, and were not pregnant yet. Itâs hard to wrap your head around but, based on how due dates are calculated, you are not actually pregnant yet in the first couple of weeks of the 40 weeks of pregnancy.
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Months Pregnant: Symptoms And Foetal Development
At three months pregnant, youâre in the final stretch of the first trimester. Thatâs not all: This month your little one goes from being called an embryo to a foetus â in medical circles that is! Read on to learn more about whatâs happening inside your belly when youâre three months pregnant, as well as whatâs behind some of the common pregnancy symptoms that many mums-to-be experience this month.
Months Pregnant: Your Symptoms Belly Size And Baby Development
At 3 month’s pregnant your little one has fully formed, meaning that all your baby’s organs, muscles, limbs and bones are in place. The sex organs have also developed, but won’t show on a scan until around 20 weeks pregnant. You are now entering your second trimester and while some of your early pregnancy symptoms might have subsided, we’re here to guide you through what else might be occurring this month.
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Raised Body Temperature During Early Pregnancy
A higher basal body temperature may also be a sign of pregnancy. Your bodys core temperature may also increase more easily during exercise or in hot weather. During this time, youll need to make sure to drink more water and exercise cautiously.
Fatigue can develop any time during pregnancy. This symptom is common in early pregnancy. Your progesterone levels will soar, which can make you feel sleepy.
What If Your Lmp Is Not Known Or Periods Are Irregular
The due date calculation works ideally if your periods are regular, i.e., if they follow a 28-day cycle.
If your periods are irregular or you do not remember your last period, you should wait for your first ultrasound pregnancy scan. Also known as a dating scan, it will provide the number of weeks remaining for your due date .
If the scan does not give the correct results, your doctor may ask you to wait for some more time. Ideally, the dating scan will be done between six and 13 weeks plus six days .
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Why Pregnancy Is Counted From The Last Menstrual Period
Pregnancy is counted from a women’s last menstrual period because the start of a period is easily observable and usually known to a woman whereas the date of conception is much less likely to be known.
Historically, the first day of the last menstrual period became the date from which pregnancy is counted even though conception occurs about two weeks later.
The LMP formula is good for working out an initial age of pregnancy but ultrasound is more accurate. The age of pregnancy may be revised following your ultrasound scan.
