What To Do In Your First Trimester Of Pregnancy

When To See A Doctor

First Trimester Symptoms | How To Survive Your First Trimester of Pregnancy

As soon as a person learns that they are pregnant, it is a good idea to call a doctor to schedule a prenatal appointment.

A doctor may schedule an early ultrasound to ensure that the pregnancy is in the uterus and that the fetus is developing normally.

Early blood work may help detect common issues, such as thyroid disease or sexually transmitted infections that might affect the fetus.

A person should call a doctor if they:

  • get intense headaches

Monitor Your Emotional Health

The emotional rollercoaster that comes with raised hormone levels during pregnancy is expected by every pregnant woman. But if your mood swings interfere with your daily life or are unusually extreme, you should see a doctor about possible depression.

You should also know that pregnancy is a common trigger of domestic violence. Find help if you are in an abusive situation to keep your baby and you safe.

While you can find advice, facts, and information about pregnancy everywhere from online articles to good friends, the best thing you can do for your child and you is find agood doctor and midwife to prepare for that upcoming event: the birth of your child.

Top 2 Books To Buy In Your 1st Trimester

Proper healthcare will prevent you from experiencing premature labor pains and miscarriage.

Good health of the mother to- be will also be essential for the prevention of congenital disabilities.

I have provided below the first-trimester donts that you need to know to avoid causing harm to your unborn baby.

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Nutrition And Vitamins In The First Trimester

The most important rule is that your diet should provide you with useful nutrients that will help your baby grow and develop.

However, you still do not need extra calories, as they will not benefit your body, but will make you gain weight.

Nutrition guidelines:

  • Eat small, frequent meals.
  • Do not try to lose weight and stick to a diet. Its not good for your health at this point.
  • Eat heat-treated foods, giving preference to boiled and stewed dishes.
  • Do not eat raw foods, particularly eggs, shellfish, fish, and meat to prevent infectious diseases and parasites.
  • Consume more fruits, vegetables, thoroughly washing them before eating.
  • Cut down on caffeine.
  • Cut out or cut down on products with colorants, stabilizers, thickeners, flavor and taste enhancers.
  • Give up fast food and fizzy drinks.
  • Do not drink alcohol.

During this period, you also need to take vitamins and minerals. Remember that it is your doctor who can prescribe the adequate course of administration and dosage.

  • It is necessary to take 400 mcg of folic acid daily .
  • Iron supplements are good for you if the iron level in the blood becomes low .

Begin Documenting Your Pregnancy

Pin on chibi pokemon

Its never too early to start documenting your pregnancy! You might not have a bump yet , but at the very least you can begin filling out a pregnancy journal.

Its fun to look back on your thoughts and feelings from your pregnancy, so write down as much as you can! Check out my post about documenting your pregnancy with ease for my tips on keeping track of your symptoms, baby bump photos and ultrasounds.

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Get Informed About What To Avoid

In addition to dietary adjustments, you’ll need to take extra care to avoid other substances and environmental hazards during your pregnancy, including certain household cleaners, strenuous work, baths or showers that are too hot and certain medications.

Keep these safety tips in mind when caring for cats and other pets to avoid an illness called toxoplasmosis.

It probably goes without saying, but you should be sure to avoid smoking and recreational drugs in addition to limiting your alcohol intake during pregnancy .

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.

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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.

Dont Clean The Cats Litter Box

Pregnancy First Trimester – Your Essential To do List

You an cuddle and pet your feline companion all you want, but cat waste isnt safe for expecting mothers.Feline waste is filled with millions of bacteria and parasites, one of which is particularly harmful your child. The worst part of this parasite is there is no way to know you have it. A miscarriage and stillbirth could be possible, as well as your baby developing seizures and mental disabilities.

Are you expecting? What are some other common dos and donts during your first trimester? Comment below!

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What Can Be Expected From The Doctor And Midwife

Your antenatal health checks might be with your GP, a midwife or an obstetrician, depending on where you will give birth. During your first antenatal health check, you will probably have your pregnancy confirmed with a urine or blood test. These are more reliable than home pregnancy tests. First trimester antenatal health checks usually happen every 4 to 6 weeks, but this can vary, based on your health and how your baby develops.

Many women are offered an ultrasound scan at around 12 weeks you might hear the babys heartbeat at this scan. This ultrasound will also show if you are having a multiple birth and can help estimate the babys size and due date, as well as check for some health conditions.

Other health checks during the first trimester include:

  • urine tests to detect urinary infections, a common but manageable condition that if left untreated can trigger pre-term labour
  • blood tests to check your blood type , iron levels, blood sugars , rubella immunity, and other infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis
  • general maternal health and wellbeing checks, including a discussion of concerns you might have about your pregnancy or general health, and a medication review to check for safety during pregnancy

Emotional And Mental Wellbeing

How are you today? If you’re feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family. You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don’t bottle it up â you’re important, so ask for help if you need it!

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Unwashed Fruits And Vegetables

Its always worth giving produce a quick rinse before eating, but its especially important to clean raw fruits and veggies these days. Harmful bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella or E. coli can lurk on the outsides of produce and the microbes can easily spread to the inside flesh when a fruit or vegetable is cut, juiced or peeled.

No need to break out a special produce-cleaning spray, however. A thorough rinse under running water before eating or prepping will get the job done, and if you spot any lingering dirt, scrape it away with a produce brush. Finally, cut away any bits of produce that seem bruised or damaged, since these areas are more likely to harbor bacteria.

Dos And Donts Of Your First Trimester

20 things pregnant mums need to know about the first ...
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  • Dos and Donts of Your First Trimester

After finding out youre pregnant , you may start to feel a little anxious. What can you do? What can you not do? What foods and drinks should you avoid? With so much information out there, it can quickly become overwhelming. That is exactly why weve put together this list of dos and donts for your first trimester, so you can make the best possible decisions for you and your baby during this important phase of pregnancy.

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Find An Obgyn Or Midwife

Searching for a new OBGYN or midwife can be time consuming, but its worth it to search around to find the right fit. In order to make the decision between an OBGYN or a midwife, you need to ask yourself what youre looking for in your care.

You dont have to decide everything about your birth plan right away, but its a good time to start thinking about it. Ask local moms who they recommend, read reviews, and meet with a few different doctors if you must. Remember, you can always switch later.

First Trimester: Key Stages

The first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts until the end of week 12. This means that by the time you know for sure you’re pregnant, you might already be five or six weeks pregnant!

A lot happens during these first three months. The fertilised egg rapidly divides into layers of cells and implants in the wall of your womb where it carries on growing. These layers of cells become an embryo, which is what the baby is called at this stage.

During this trimester, your baby grows faster than at any other time. By six weeks, a heartbeat can usually be heard and by the end of week 12, your baby’s bones, muscles and all the organs of the body have formed. At this point, your baby looks like a tiny human being and is now called a fetus. He or she will even be practising swallowing!

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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.

Important Precautions To Take During First Three Months Of Pregnancy

Important Precautions to Take During the First Trimester of Pregnancy

The first trimester of pregnancy, which begins on the day of conception and ends with week 12, is crucial and challenging. You will gain weight, feel sluggish, experience morning sickness along with other symptoms. During this stage, the fetus grows quickly and several vital organs including the nervous system, spine, and digestive tract start to develop. The fetus also attains a human form by the end of the trimester.

To ensure healthy fetal development during this sensitive phase, you need to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle. In this MomJunction post, we list down the essential precautions you need to take to stay healthy during the first three months of pregnancy.

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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.

Take Care Of Yourself

This list of dos and donts in the first trimester of pregnancy might, at first glance, seem a bit intimidating. But dont let it scare you! Most of these can be summed with one simple sentence: Take care of yourself. Be sure to eat healthful foods, drink lots of water, and get enough sleep.

Before you know it, your little one will finally be here, physically in your arms. Then, as you hold and snuggle with your healthy newborn, remember to thank yourself for following this list of dos and donts in the first trimester of your pregnancy. A healthy, happy baby makes it all worthwhile.

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Change In Eating Habits

Women often experience food cravings and food aversions. A womans taste buds can actually change during pregnancy. Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet is an important part of having a good pregnancy, so make sure to monitor food intake.

A condition called pica, a craving for non-food items, may occur during the first trimester and can be dangerous. If you experience pica, discuss it with your doctor.

Do Set Up Your First Prenatal Appointment

First Trimester

Before your appointment, make a note of the first day of your last period as they will ask you this, and write down any questions that you may have for your doctor. If there are diseases or disorders on either the fathers side of the family or yours, these are a great thing to discuss with your doctor.

You should also make sure to consult your doctor about any medications you are on to make sure they are safe for pregnant women. Continue to do this throughout your pregnancy if you are prescribed different medications, including over-the-counter ones. Mention any herbs, vitamins, or other supplements you take.

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Rare Or Underdone Meat

When it comes to your meat, now is not the time to be seeing pinkor red. So while you may have cooked that steak medium-rare before your baby came on board, you’ll now need to refrain from blood-red meat.

Undercooked meat can harbor such bacteria as E. coli, Trichinella and Salmonella or cause toxoplasmosis.

And if you find that the restaurant burger you ordered came out a little too pink? Don’t be afraid to send it back. Now is not the time to be bashful.

Do Think Of Food As Fuel

Think of your body as a vehicle: It is carrying your most precious cargo right now. Would you want to fuel your car with sub-par gasoline? Of course not! You would not want to take the chance of it breaking down.

Similarly, you do not want to fuel your body with sub-par energy sources. Choose organic foods whenever possible and eat from local food sources if you can. This limits your exposure to pesticides.

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Do Take A Multivitamin

Eating a balanced diet thats rich in vitamins and minerals is the best way to provide your body with all of the healthy nutrients it needs to support a growing baby. A healthy diet alone, however, may not be enough for pregnancy.

Prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of certain nutrients that expectant mothers require at higher doses, such as:

  • folic acid
  • calcium
  • iron

These vitamins assist with proper development of the fetus and help prevent birth defects. Your doctor can help you find a multivitamin or a series of vitamins that are best for you.

A multivitamin will usually include DHA, EPA, or both. These are omega-3 fats that are important for your babys proper brain development.

Dont take more than one dose of multivitamins, though. Some vitamins in higher amounts can be harmful to the baby.

What Happens To Your Body

What to expect in your Second Trimester of pregnancy | Pregnancy Week-by-Week

For some women, the first trimester is characterised by nausea . But remember that every pregnancy is different and while some women have food cravings, others experience food aversions, and some have no change in appetite at all.

Other changes in the first trimester include changes to your breasts as they become tender, larger and heavier, while your uterus will grow and put pressure on your bladder so that you need to urinate more often.

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