First trimester pregnancy
Symptoms and care: Early symptoms and signs of pregnancy differ from woman to woman. While some women experience many of these, others, very few. A missed menstrual cycle is usually the first pregnancy symptom. Tender Sore and swollen breasts with a tingling sensation, nausea or morning sickness which can start as early as two weeks before an expected menstrual period, extreme fatigue can be early signs of pregnancy. Spotting is also common when the egg implants itself into the lining of the uterus. However, if you know you are pregnant and you experience spotting check in with your doctor immediately. Some pregnant women experience light-headedness and even actual fainting during early pregnancy. Hormonal changes can affect the digestive system and cause constipation, while heartburn is also common, caused by hormonal changes. Frequent urination during the first month of pregnancy is an early pregnancy symptom. If you have any of these pregnancy symptoms, be sure to take a pregnancy test. If the result is positive it is important to receive prenatal care immediately. By the 2nd month, the baby’s weight is almost one ounce. By the third month, the fetal heartbeat can be head and you can know if you are carrying twins. Prenatal care now includes calcium and folic acid supplements to provide necessary nutrients and prevent birth defects. Mild weight gain and mood swings are other associated occurrences in this time.
Special care, Do’s and Don’ts: It is advisable to visit your obstetrician as soon as you discover that you may be pregnant. Be sure to start taking prenatal vitamins as they contain folic acid to prevent birth defects. A number of birth defects are known to occur in the early months of pregnancy so special care is needed. Eat healthy and well-balanced meals. Nutritional deficiencies may lead to nutritional deficiencies in the baby, low birth weight, birth defects and even mental retardation. A healthy diet has also been found to decrease the risk of miscarriage, along with the possibility of pre-term labor. Do make sure that you eat well-cooked meat. Under-cooked pork may lead to toxoplasmosis. If meat is not cooked thoroughly may contain E-coli. Avoid shellfish, as it is a leading cause of food poisoning, which can cause miscarriage. Buy a crib now. Make sure it is a safe and good one. Make sure that crib sheets fit securely and don't pull off. Oversized sheets can slip off and suffocate your baby, sheets that are too small won't stay on the mattress and can slip off placing your baby at risk. And most importantly, do rest. Also regular and recommended exercise is necessary to ease cramps, and facilitate the birth. Alongside the Do’s there are also some very important don’ts. Special care must be taken to avoid these things. Cigarette smoking has been linked to newborns with low birth weight. Don't get into hot tubs when pregnant. Overheating your body can harm the baby. More than 2 cups of coffee a day during pregnancy can cause risk of birth defects. Don't change the litter box if you have a cat. You could get toxoplasmosis. The consumption of alcohol during fetal development can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This can cause wide ranging complications such as intense psychological retardation, growth retardation, defects of major organ systems, learning complications, and serious behavioral problems.
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