What To Do In Early Stages Of Pregnancy

July 7, 2022

Light Bleeding Or Spotting

Stages of Labor : Early 1st Stage Labor Activities

Implantation bleeding is the light vaginal bleeding that typically occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. It shouldnt cause anything more than mild spotting, which you may notice in your underwear. Implantation bleeding can also be accompanied by mild cramps that resemble the cramps of menstruation.

If the bleeding is heavy or if the cramping is severe, contact a health care provider for advice.

Along with light bleeding, some women notice white, milky vaginal discharge. This is completely normal and is the result of increased development in the lining of the vagina. The discharge may continue throughout pregnancy and does not usually have any other symptoms. Seek a health care providers opinion if the discharge smells bad or is accompanied by itching. You may need to be treated for a bacterial or yeast infection.

Do Prepare For Morning Sickness

Despite its name, morning sickness can last all day typically during the first trimester. While not all women are plagued with morning sickness during pregnancy, many are so its best to get ready for it ahead of time.

There are teas specifically formulated to combat nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. If you find that youre prone to morning sickness, you can brew yourself a cup each morning. There are also morning sickness hard candies that you can eat in addition to your cup of tea or instead of it.

If you find that you have mild morning sickness, then you can take measures like eating small and frequent meals and sticking to foods that are bland and simple. If you find that it is severe you should talk to your OBGYN immediately.

Symptoms During The Second Trimester

Linea Nigra shows. It is a line from belly to the pubic region.

You see dark patches of skin called Melasma.

Numb hands

Itching and stretch marks

Your babys musculoskeletal development begins. Skin formation starts. Baby starts to swallow and moves.

Now he can even scratch himself. Your baby can hear you. Eyelids have lashes and brows. Your baby is 12 inches long at the end of the second trimester.

He has a fine layer of hair protecting him. Your baby has a regular sleeping pattern. Fingerprints develop and he has hair. His lungs have entirely formed but do not function.

Recommended Reading: Is It Safe To Use Vagisil During Pregnancy

The First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Other considerations

What is the first trimester?

A pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. The first trimester is the time in between fertilization of the egg by the sperm and week 12 of a pregnancy.

A womans body goes through many changes during the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. Women often start to have concerns over:

what to eat
which types of prenatal tests they should consider

how much weight they might gain
how they can make sure their baby stays healthy

Understanding a pregnancy week by week can help you make informed decisions and prepare for the big changes that lie ahead.

Mood Swings During Pregnancy

The hormones changing in your body mean you will probably have heightened emotions, both positive and negative. And you will probably swing between these emotions.

While you may be overjoyed about having a baby, you may also be stressed and overwhelmed. You may feel worried about whether:

your baby will affect your relationship with your partner

you will cope financially
you will be able to juggle work and parenting
you will be a good mother

the baby will be healthy
your other children will accept and love the new baby.

You may also feel unimpressed with your changing body. You may be worried about putting on too much weight, or not enough. Or not being able to do the physical activity that you usually do. Or not looking attractive to your partner.

Add the hormone-induced fatigue, forgetfulness and moodiness, and you may feel completely out of control. This is all common.

Recommended Reading: Is It Safe To Donate Plasma While Pregnant

Stages Of Growth Month

First trimester

The first trimester will span from conception to 12 weeks. This is generally the first three months of pregnancy. During this trimester, the fertilized egg will change from a small grouping of cells to a fetus that is starting to have a babys features.

Month 1

As the fertilized egg grows, a water-tight sac forms around it, gradually filling with fluid. This is called the amniotic sac, and it helps cushion the growing embryo.

During this time, the placenta also develops. The placenta is a round, flat organ that transfers nutrients from the mother to the fetus, and transfers wastes from the fetus. Think of the placenta as a food source for the fetus throughout your pregnancy.

In these first few weeks, a primitive face will take form with large dark circles for eyes. The mouth, lower jaw and throat are developing. Blood cells are taking shape, and circulation will begin. The tiny “heart” tube will beat 65 times a minute by the end of the fourth week.

Month 2

Facial features continue to develop. Each ear begins as a little fold of skin at the side of the head. Tiny buds that eventually grow into arms and legs are forming. Fingers, toes and eyes are also forming.

The neural tube is well formed now. The digestive tract and sensory organs begin to develop too. Bone starts to replace cartilage.

The head is large in proportion to the rest of the body at this point. At about 6 weeks, a heartbeat can usually be detected.

Month 3

Second trimester

Month 4

Month 5

Will I Get A More Accurate Due Date Later In The Pregnancy

You will have your first appointment with the midwife, the ‘booking appointment’, between 8 weeks and 12 weeks pregnant. Here you will be given a scan and receive an accurate date for your baby’s birth. But if you’re impatient to know when your baby will arrive, then our pregnancy calculator tool gives you an estimate due date without the wait.

Not pregnant yet?

Consider Starting Your Baby Registry

Too early? Maybe its hard to resist the fun. You dont even need to actually start one, just do some research.

There are so many articles about what to include in your registry, but you know youll at least need the need the basics a stroller, a car seat, a pack-and-play, a crib, a swing, etc.

You can even begin now to research which ones youd like.

I registered back in the days of Babies R Us. Sadly, they are no more, and Amazon is the next best option.

Amazon sends you a ton of free swag when you sign up, AND they give you 10% off for completion of the registry .

Early Pregnancy: The Start Of A Whole New Life

What Are The Stages Of Pregnancy?

Finding out youre pregnant can be overwhelming, often leaving you with an out-of-control feeling. And it wont be long before raging hormones are thrown into the mix, too.

Being prepared and making plans is not only practical, but it can help calm all the other crazy emotions youre feeling by doing something useful.

Checking off the boxes on this early pregnancy to-do list can help you settle down. It makes you feel empowered by controlling what you actually can control.

Each little task you check off paves the way for the arrival of your sweet newborn, and its something so life-changing, so magnificent its something youll never, ever forget.

You can trust me on that one. Enjoy the ride.

P.S. Dont forget to check out that pregnancy planner! It might be just what you need to get through this whole pregnancy thing feeling organized, confident, and like you are going to ROCK it.

I Had a Missed Miscarriage at 12 Weeks. My Faith Got Me Through It. – The Experienced Mama

Wednesday 5th of August 2020

I typically put off the trip to the midwife until 12 weeks for my first prenatal appointment, so I was just enjoying early pregnancy.

A Girlfriend’s Guide to Folate-Rich Foods For Pregnancy – The Experienced Mama

Saturday 1st of August 2020

early pregnancy, hunger doesnt feel like a typical hunger. It feels like nausea and total

21 Things NOT to Put on Your Baby Registry – The Experienced Mama

Wednesday 24th of June 2020

Wednesday 22nd of April 2020

Recommended Reading: Using Vagisil During Pregnancy

Other Serious Issues During Pregnancy

Some pregnant women develop mental illnesses that are a significant risk to both them and their child. Other women may already have a mental illness that is more difficult to manage during pregnancy.

In particular, specialist health care is needed for pregnant women with:

bipolar disorder , with manic highs and depression lows
schizophrenia

eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The risks include a loss of nutrition for your baby, an increased risk of miscarriage, and anaemia.

Stages Of Pregnancy As Trimesters

It is the most popular way of classifying pregnancy. Pregnancy has three trimesters. For most women, before they come to know, trimester, as the name suggests, is three months.

Three trimesters of three months make up nine months of pregnancy. But if you study, trimesters of pregnancy are categories of weeks of pregnancy.

Read Also: Sore Breasts After Mirena Removal

Donts For The First Trimester

Do not take any self-medication as there could be a health-risk for the mother and child.
Do not consume any junk foods as they lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes since they are high in sugar and calorific content.

Smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption should be avoided. If youre pregnant, whatever you put into your body reaches your baby too. Smoking, drinking alcohol or drugs may be detrimental to your babys growth, development and health, so its important for you to change your habits.
Do not consume street foods to avoid gastrointestinal
In first trimester, there is no need to add any extra diet.

Do not consume raw papaya and raw pineapple.
Avoid foods with preservatives and pesticides.
Avoid dehydration and stress.

Avoid over exertion and aggressive exercises.
Prevent weight gain till 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Do not consume foods that lead to constipation.

Dont get into the sauna or steam room or overheat in the bath.

Some Other Precautions And Concerns:

10 Early Signs of Pregnancy That You Must Know

Use gloves while gardening, especially if you are dealing with soil

Avoid contact with cats poo as it contains parasites

Avoid exposure to pesticides and chemicals

Monitor your blood sugar levels continuously and follow a proper diet plan along with exercises

Reduce your exposure to video display terminals

Avoid sex for at least the first two months of pregnancy, and follow safe measures if you want to have intercourse.

Pregnancy is the responsibility of both you and your partner. Therefore, the dad-to-be also needs to get ready for his new role.

Recommended Reading: Pregnancy Side Effects By Week

Things To Think About

In the early days and weeks of pregnancy, you may not know if you’re pregnant.

But you can do the following things:

take a folic acid supplement of 400 micrograms a day while you’re trying to get pregnant and until the 12th week of pregnancy

take a vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms a day
avoid some foods to protect against infections
stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby’s health

You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or your GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

If you want to get your vitamin D or folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A .

You can get vitamin supplements containing folic acid and vitamin D free of charge if you’re under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding and qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

First Trimester: The Baby At 12 Weeks

The end of the first trimester is at about week 12, at this point in your baby’s development:

The nerves and muscles begin to work together. Your baby can make a fist.
The external sex organs show if your baby is a boy or girl.

Eyelids close to protect the developing eyes. They will not open again until week 28.
Head growth has slowed, and your baby is about 3 inches long, and weighs almost an ounce.

Also Check: Is Kinesio Tape Safe For Pregnancy

Dont Smoke Or Breathe In Secondhand Smoke

Cigarette smoke is linked to many complications that may include cancers, premature delivery, low birth weight, miscarriage, sudden infant deather syndrome, and learning or behavioral disabilities as the baby grows and develops. You should not be doing any recreational drugs as they can be harmful and toxic to you and the baby.

Third Trimester: Changes A Woman May Experience

Are You Interested to Know Pregnancy Stages? Pregnancy Transformation Week-by-Week

The third trimester is the final stage of pregnancy. Discomforts that started in the second trimester will likely continue, along with some new ones. As the baby grows and puts more pressure on your internal organs, you may find you have difficulty breathing and have to urinate more frequently. This is normal and once you give birth these problems should go away.

The First Trimester: What To Expect

A healthy first trimester is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. You may not be showing much on the outside yet, but on the inside, all of the major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming.

As the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, several developments take place, including the formation of the:

Amniotic sac. A sac filled with amniotic fluid, called the amniotic sac, surrounds the fetus throughout the pregnancy. The amniotic fluid is liquid made by the fetus and the amnion that protects the fetus from injury. It also helps to regulate the temperature of the fetus.
Placenta. The placenta is an organ shaped like a flat cake that only grows during pregnancy. It attaches to the uterine wall with tiny projections called villi. Fetal blood vessels grow from the umbilical cord into these villi, exchanging nourishment and waste products with your blood. The fetal blood vessels are separated from your blood supply by a thin membrane.

Umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is a ropelike cord connecting the fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and a vein, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus.

It is during this first trimester that the fetus is most susceptible to damage from substances, like alcohol, drugs and certain medicines, and illnesses, like rubella .

During the first trimester, your body and your babyâs body are changing rapidly.

How To Treat Stomach Cramps During The First Trimester

Needless to say, painful cramps during early pregnancy can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. You might be experiencing physical and emotional changes, and adding cramps to your discomfort might feel overwhelming. Treating pregnancy cramps can help you feel more comfortable and as stress free as possible.

If youre experiencing cramps, here are a few tips for alleviating them quickly:

Drink water. You are more likely to experience cramps if you are dehydrated. Make sure that you drink at least eight cups of water each day.
Change positions. When you experience cramps, try shifting positions while lying or sitting down. Dont put pressure on the source of the pain.
Stretch and exercise. Try doing mild pregnancy exercises or stretch your body to soothe cramped muscles. In addition to relieving active cramps, this can also help prevent future ones.

Gentle massage. A massage can stimulate blood circulation in your muscles, relieving uncomfortable cramps. Getting a gentle lower back massage might help relieve aches.
Sleep. Try to get a good nights sleep during early pregnancy as this makes you feel rested. Try to get enough sleep every night.

Also Check: Can You Get Braces While Pregnant

First Trimester Changes In Your Body

Pregnancy is different for every woman. Some women glow with good health during those first 3 months others feel absolutely miserable. Here are some of the changes you might notice, what they mean, and which signs warrant a call to your doctor.

Bleeding. About 25% of pregnant women have slight bleeding during their first trimester. Early in the pregnancy, light spotting may be a sign that the fertilized embryo has implanted in your uterus. But if you have severe bleeding, cramping, or sharp pain in your belly, call the doctor. These could be signs of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy .

Breast tenderness.Sore breasts are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. They’re triggered by hormonal changes, which are getting your milk ducts ready to feed your baby. Your breasts will probably be sore throughout the first trimester. Going up a bra size and wearing a support bra can make you feel more comfortable. You probably wont go back to your regular bra size until after your baby is finished nursing.

Constipation. During pregnancy, high levels of the hormone progesterone slow down the muscle contractions that normally move food through your system. Add to that the extra iron you’re getting from your prenatal vitamin, and the result is uncomfortable constipation and gas that can keep you feeling bloated throughout your pregnancy. Eat more fiber and drink extra fluids to keep things moving more smoothly. Physical activity can also help.

Continued

What To Do In Your Early Pregnancy

Exercise regularly: Mild exercises and activities will make your system function normally. Walking is the best workout as it will not cause any strain on your body. You may also join in a special yoga class conducted for would-be mommies. Whatever activity you plan to take, discuss with your OB/GYN so that it helps in guiding you better.

Eat fiber-rich foods: Having a balanced diet is important. Try not to overeat even your most favorite food has to be taken in limited amounts. Include fiber-rich foods as they ease constipation and regularize your stomach functions. Take sprouts, cereals, spinach and legumes in your diet. Have small meals several times a day as it will help you stay filled, fit and healthy. Eat fruits like strawberries, which are rich in folic acid.

Drink more water: You should drink eight to ten glasses of water every day. Stay hydrated so that your body will not get undernourished.

Have a healthy mind: Your emotions and mood have an impact on the babys emotional well-being. Hence, keep yourself calm, confident and happy. Meditation is the best way to bring such positivity around and within you. You could practice it at least for one hour a day.

Increase sleeping hours: Your body is undergoing a lot of physical and hormonal changes. For these changes to happen smoothly and for you to not have a sudden impact of the changing conditions, sleep peacefully for a long time.

Don’t Miss: Vagisil Safe While Pregnant