First trimester is the very beginning of the pregnancy period. The period is of 12 weeks duration starting from conception till 12 weeks. This duration is calculated from the last menstrual period presuming that the ovulation occurs on the 14th days of the cycle
During this period the pregnancy foundation is being laid down and therefore this phase is very important. Two important components such as formation of the baby’s bodily parts and organs and placental formation to create nutrition passages between the mother and the baby are underway. (Placenta is a newly formed organ inside the womb along with the baby which supplies easy to be utilized nutrients from the mother).
Pre-pregnancy care is important:
By the time the pregnancy is diagnosed it is already clocked to 5 to 6 weeks. By this time the neural tube of the baby is already formed. The neural tube is the foundation of the brain and the spinal cord and therefore it is important that before planning pregnancies the mother takes a pre-pregnancy guidance from a doctor, corrects nutritional deficiencies, achieves ideal weight and is assessed for any illnesses.
Establishment of the duration of the pregnancy and health of the mother which can be done clinically by the doctor and confirmed with surety by laboratory tests and sonography examination. Blood tests as under
Penratal supplements :Folic acid help prevents developmental abnormalities in the baby and the placenta Pyridoxine and dicyclomines helps in preventing pregnancy nausea and vomiting nutritional supplements are given.
In addition some medications may be additionally prescribed in special situations. Vaccinations especially for flu can be taken .
You can continue doing exercises that you were doing before conception but it is better to avoid strenuous and tiring exercises . Daily walks at least for 40 minutes is a good practice. One should avoid strenuous work and lifting of heavy weights and hectic travels .
Home-made healthy and fresh food rich in nutrients , clean and balanced in macro nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates should be taken .Pregnancy can cause mild constipation and taking food rich in fibers is a good practice .Also folic acid , folates are abundantly found in fresh fruits and vegetables .
Must read - Quick healthy bites to snack on during pregnancy
Yes the pregnancy is demanding on the mother’s body and nutritional and energy needs are increased . This can cause tiredness and feeling of nausea . Eating small meals ad healthy tit bits especially dry ones throughout the day at short intervals , drinking adequate water and medications can help overcome these symptoms .
Yes women complaint of back ache very often during pregnancy . Many a times it is related to anxiety , other times wrong posture and sometimes weak back muscles . relaxation , positive attitude , posture correction and back strengthening exercises help. Pregnancy is a natural process of life and not an illness so one should accept it and positively approach it and remember that finally we have to deliver a healthy baby of a healthy mother .
Bathing daily or twice in the very hot weather , wearing clean comfortable cotton clothes , frequent hand washing , brushing twice ,keeping private parts clean and avoiding crowded places are important hygiene practices.
Unhealthy foods , stale food , fasting , hectic work and travel , medications over the counter without doctors permission , crowded places , infected or sick family members .
Your responsibility as a patient :
Crampy pain in the tummy , giddiness , blackouts , excessive vomiting , dehydration , high grade fever , urinary symptoms , bleeding from the vagina need doctors consultation and check up .
Must read - How to handle the 1st trimester of pregnancy
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