PREGNANCY FIRST TRIMESTER

PREGNANCY FIRST TRIMESTER

PREGNANCY is one of the most important phases in women’s life, “THE PHASE OF MOTHERHOOD”

It has a profound emotional significance and is considered as a major landmark in physical and Psychological development of woman, and a transition from daughter /woman to mother. It is a phase where your body undergoes changes and your mind is full of questions about health, safety, nutrition, tests and more. Every week you can discover new things about your baby, necessary lifestyle changes and how to enjoy them to fullest.

FIRST TRIMESTER

(CONCEPTION TO 12 WEEKS)

1-4 WEEKS –

·         GROWTH OF THE BABY – A new life is born. Baby is beginning to take shape inside in the form of tiny embryo.

·         Its size is about 0.08 to 0.16 inch during this time.

·         CHANGES IN MOTHER – At this stage, women may not notice any change, that’s because it’s too soon.

·         In fact few women know that they have conceived .One have not missed periods yet!!!

5-8 WEEKS-

·         GROWTH OF THE BABY – Baby begins to develop a plate, which will late become the HEART.

·         Major organs like kidneys and liver also begin to develop while the neural tube (which connects the brain and spinal cord) closes.

·         One will be able to see baby in ULTRASOUND.

·         Heart beat is quite prominent (100 beats /minute).

·         CHANGES IN MOTHER - This week may see the beginning of some of the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness and breast tenderness.

·         You may see some bleeding due to implantation of the fetus into the lining of the uterus.

·         The hormone levels are rising which may cause nausea, vomiting and headaches.

·         The levels of pregnancy hormone are enough that urine tests that measure HCG will show a positive result at this point.

9-12 WEEKS –

·         GROWTH OF THE BABY – Baby now has fingers and toes, while nails too are growing.

·         Hair is appearing on the baby’s body.

·         The fetus is about 2 inches long and eights about half an ounce.

·         Baby's body systems, such as circulatory, nervous, reproductive and digestive, are fully formed during this time.

·         CHANGES IN MOTHER - Even if one still look the same on the outside, making a baby is hard work and one could find herself even more tired now than before.

·         Blood pressure tends to decline, and one may feel dizzy or lightheaded.

·         Facial appearance becomes fuller due to odema, which is due to the retention of more fluid.

·         One may also start feeling cravings for particular food.

·         The theory is that your body craves nutrients it may be lacking, most commonly vitamin C, iron, and salt.

·         By this week, your uterus can be felt in your lower abdomen, above the middle of our pubic bone.  

·         An ultrasound this week determines no. of babies, the position of placenta, and volume of amniotic fluid.

DIETARY PRECAUTIONS DURING FIRST TRIMESTER:

·         Make sure you eat a mixture of different foods each day including fruits and vegetables which provide vitamins, minerals and fiber.

·         Let starchy foods like bread, potatoes, rice and breakfast cereals with vegetables from the main part of any meal.

·         Make sure you get your calcium from milk or other food. Take 600 ml of milk or milk products every day for the calcium content. 

·         Get your dose of vitamin D through food like egg yolks, herring, sardines, tuna, salmon, fortified milk, fish liver oil, or through exposure to sunlight.

·         Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. They are necessary for the development of your baby’s brain, nerve and eye.

·         Take iron and folic acid supplements as prescribed by your doctor. It  is important during the pre-conception and early pregnancy phase because this is when the fetus develops spine and nerve cells.

·         Gain weight gradually. For the optimal growth of your baby you should gain around 0.5- 2 kg in the first trimester. 

·         Increase your fluid intake. Blood volume needs to increase during pregnancy to facilitate oxygen and nutrient delivery to both you and your baby. 

NUTREINT	NORMAL ADULT WOMAN	WOMEN IN FIRST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY
ENERGY kcal
SEDENTARY	1875	1880
MODERATE	2225	2235
HEAVY	2925	2935
PROTEIN g	50	60
FAT         g	20	30
CALCIUM mg	400	410
IRON mg	30	40
RETINOL mcg	600	610
BETA CAROTENE mcg	2400	2410
THIAMINE  mg
SEDENTARY	0.9	10.9
MODERATE	1.1	11.1
HEAVY	1.2	11.2
RIBOFLAVINE mg
SEDENTARY	1.1	11.1
MODERATE	1.3	11.3
HEAVY	1.5	11.5
NIACIN mg
SEDENTARY	12	22
MODERATE	14	24
HEAVY	16	26
PYRIDOXINE mg	2	12
ASCORBIC ACID mg	40	50
FOLIC ACID mcg	100	110
VITAMIN B12 mcg	1	11

Don’ts

·         Don’t take any medication unless necessary. Medicines taken by you can cross the placenta and enter the bloodstream of your baby. Hence it’s best to know the safety of any medications you’re taking during pregnancy – especially in the first trimester. 

·         Cut down on caffeine. Large amounts of caffeine consumption and an increased risk of miscarriage have been linked in some studies.

·         Quit smoking. Passive and active smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of health and behavioral problems in the baby and is linked to infant mortality.

·         Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol can cross the placenta and reach your baby’s bloodstream. Excessive drinking impairs the mental and physical development of your baby, in what is known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

·         Don’t get stressed, depressed. High levels of stress can affect the unborn baby’s health and increase your chances of miscarriage.

·         Don’t go on diet while you’re pregnant. You may end up with deficiency of iron, folic acid, vitamins and minerals which can potentially harm you and your baby.

SOME HOME REMEDIES:

·         Try having a cup of ginger tea to soothe your stomach. This spicy herb is also used to ease motion sickness.

·         There are also several herbal teas that are known to reduce nausea.

·         Another helpful ingredient to combat morning sickness is red raspberry-leaf tea

·         Keep some fennel seeds near your bed side and chew on them whenever you feel queasy.

·         Another simple solution is to drink a glass of water every hour.

·         Even if you wake up during the night to visit the bathroom, have a glass of water.

·         This will keep you hydrated. When your urine is clear, it means you are having enough water.

·         Sniff a slice of lemon. You could also drink water with a few drops of lemon.

Ayurvedic herbs:

Milk medicated with –

Vidari

Shtavari

Yasthimadhu

Is good for fetal growth, prevents IUGR (intra uterine growth retardation) as they are life building herbs.

Brahmi is also useful herb to be taken as it relaxes nerves.