Congratulations! You are about to embark on a wonderful journey of life. The first thing you should know is that it is going to be a bumpy ride.
During pregnancy, your body undergoes dramatic changes. Your breasts will become larger, your appetite will increase, and you may experience mood swings or depression. However, these are just normal symptoms of pregnancy and do not mean that something is wrong with you.
If you feel any pain or discomfort during pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately. There could be serious medical complications if you ignore these symptoms for longer than 48 hours.
What to Expect During the First/Second/Third Trimester?
The time of pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in your life. The first trimester is when you will begin to notice subtle changes in your body and mood.
The second trimester brings a lot of changes for your baby, including increased movement and kicking (known as fetal movements), a growing uterus and breasts, and increased appetite.
The third trimester is when many women experience some of the most dramatic changes in their bodies — their breasts become tender and swollen, their bellies get rounder, their hair falls out, they may have some vaginal bleeding or discharge, and they often have lower back pain. During this time, it’s important to watch for signs of preeclampsia (a condition where high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy). Preeclampsia can be life threatening if left untreated.
Pregnancy During the First Trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy is the earliest phase. Pregnancy symptoms begin on the first day of your last menstrual cycle and remain until the end of your 13th week. Pregnancy is a period of immense expectation and fast transformation for you and your unborn child. Preparation for the months ahead is much easier when you know what to expect.
Changes to Your Body During The First Trimester
Every woman’s pregnancy is unique. During the first three months of pregnancy, some women are in perfect health, while others are unhappy. Below are some changes you may observe, what they signify, and which symptoms necessitate a visit to the doctor’s office.
Bleeding
About a quarter of all pregnant women have some minor bleeding in the first three months of their pregnancy. Spotty bleeding indicates that an embryo has successfully established itself in your uterus early in pregnancy. However, you should see a doctor if you experience excessive bleeding, severe cramps, or intense pain in your abdomen. A miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy might cause these symptoms (a pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside of the uterus).
Tenderness in the breasts
One of the first indicators of pregnancy is a sore breast. Your body’s hormones prepare your breast milk ducts for feeding your baby, causing these symptoms. Breast discomfort is likely to last the whole of your first trimester. Wearing a support bra and going up a cup size will help you feel more confident. You’ll unlikely return to your pre-pregnancy bra size until your baby has completed breastfeeding.
Constipation
During pregnancy, the uterus produces a hormone called progesterone, which slows digestion. As your iron levels rise from taking a prenatal vitamin, you may experience more gas than usual. Improve your digestive health by increasing your fiber intake and fluid intake. Restoration might be aided by physical activity as well.
Ask your doctor about moderate laxatives or stool softeners that are safe to use while pregnant if constipation is a major problem for you.
Discharge
Leukorrhea, or milky white discharge, is common throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. The only time you should ever use a tampon is if you really must. Tampons may introduce germs into your vagina and should be avoided at all costs. You should call the doctor if the discharge smells awful, it’s green or yellow, or there is a lot of clear discharge.
Fatigue
Because of this, your body works extra hard to accommodate a developing child. As a result, you can expect to fatigue more quickly than on normal days. Allow yourself to nap or rest as necessary during the day. Check to see whether you are receiving enough iron. Anemia might make you feel even more exhausted if you eat too little.
Preferences in Food
You may not desire a bowl of mango topped with fish sauce, but your tastes might shift during pregnancy. Pregnant women have food cravings at least 60% of the time. More than half of the population dislikes a large number of foods. As long as you consume low-calorie, nutritious foods most of the time, it’s okay to give in to cravings. It’s important to note that the most dangerous kind of pica is the craving for non-foods like mud, dirt, and laundry starch. Consult your physician immediately away if you’re having cravings like these.
Urinating more often
Your bladder is feeling the strain of your expanding uterus, which puts a lot of stress on your baby. As a result, you may constantly need to use the restroom. Don’t stop drinking water because your body needs it, but try to limit your caffeine intake before night. Respond as quickly as possible when nature calls. Please don’t put it off for later.
Heartburn
Progesterone production increases throughout pregnancy. You can use it to relax the smooth muscles in your lower esophageal tube, which links your mouth to your stomach. Normally, these muscles are responsible for keeping food and acids from leaking into your intestines. Acid reflux, often known as heartburn, can occur if the sphincter muscles relax. Here’s how you can prevent a heart burn:
- Consume frequent but little meals throughout the day
- After eating, avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes
- Avoid meals that are fatty, spicy, or acidic (like citrus fruits)
- Try increasing the height of your pillows while you’re sleeping
Mood swings
Increased exhaustion and shifting hormones can send you on an emotional roller coaster, causing you to experience extreme highs and lows in a matter of seconds. While crying is perfectly okay, it’s best to find a sympathetic ear. You can seek advice from a loved one, a friend, a member of your family, or even an expert.
Morning sickness
One of the most prevalent signs of pregnancy is nausea. Up to 85% of pregnant women suffer from it. During the first trimester, it might endure during your body’s hormonal fluctuations. Nausea might be minor for some pregnant women. Some people can’t even get out of bed in the morning without throwing up. Morning sickness frequently makes nausea worse. Drink water, apple juice, or ginger ale to alleviate nausea, and eat tiny, bland, high-protein snacks like crackers, pork, or cheese. You may want to do this even before getting out of bed. Any meal that makes you feel nauseous should be avoided. Nausea itself isn’t a problem, but if it’s extreme or won’t go away, it might negatively impact your baby’s nutritional intake. If you’re having trouble eating or vomiting, you should see a doctor immediately.
Weight gain
Pregnancy is one of the few occasions in a woman’s life when weight increase is seen as a positive sign, but don’t go overboard. You should gain between 3 and 6 pounds in the first three months of pregnancy. The additional person you’re carrying doesn’t mean you’re eating for two. During the first trimester, you require an extra 150 calories daily. A healthy diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, milk; whole-grain bread; and lean meats.
What You Need To Do
As a mother, you’ll experience one of the greatest joys of your life. The anticipation builds as you count down the days until the arrival of your new baby and make decisions about everything from the name to the nursery’s decor. During the first trimester, you should also take specific practical actions, such as:
- Decide on a physician. Do you prefer an obstetrician or a midwife for your childbirth? You should ask for references and find out what your insurance policy covers.
- As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you need to make an appointment for a prenatal checkup. During the initial meeting, you’ll encounter a lot of questions. Your medical history will be reviewed, and your lifestyle and health habits will be discussed. They’ll figure out when you’re going to give birth. A blood and urine test is also likely to be taken.
- Follow up on your OB every four weeks. Pregnant women will have their weight and blood pressure measured, as well as urine and heartbeats monitored by the doctor.
- Find out what other tests and screenings you may need, such as genetic testing.