Pregnancy Facts: Coping with the First Trimester

The first 0-12 weeks of a woman’s pregnancy is called the first trimester. It is during this period that a woman’s body experiences drastic changes during pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant and worried about some early pregnancy symptoms, there is no cause for worry. You can cope with the first trimester with good understanding of possible first trimester symptoms. But first, let us define pregnancy. Pregnancy is defined as ‘the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus.

Next, let’s remember some of the common symptoms of pregnancies

Missed period

Missing the period is the most common sign and indication of pregnancy. However a variety of other reasons such as stress, illness, and weight fluctuations, among others also can cause the late or missed periods. Missing periods normally can also be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in which periods can occur months apart. Hence one has to observe, or rather examine the other symptoms to confirm the pregnancy.

Change in the size of breasts

Another important symptom of pregnancy is the change in the size and feel of the breasts immediately after the conception.  Breasts begin to enlarge to get ready for breast feeding and women claim that the breasts become sensitive and they experience a very sharp and twinkling sensation.

Nausea and vomiting

Another most common symptom of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting normally seen among women. This is also known as morning sickness. A feeling of sickness is also being experienced by most women from the fifth and sixth week of the pregnancy. The morning sickness can start as early as 2 weeks of pregnancy. The degree of nausea and vomiting differs from person to person. Mostly this symptom may disappear after a period of 3 to 4 months.

Tiredness and fatigue

Most of the pregnant woman experience tiredness and fatigue. Fatigue is normal, and should go away after the body gets used to it.

Frequent urination

Frequent urination is also a common feature among pregnant women within 2-3 weeks after conception due to the reduction in the size of the bladder.

Food cravings and aversions

Drastic change in the taste and smell is also another factor resulting in cravings for certain foods and aversions to certain other types of food.

All the above symptoms though normally confirm the pregnancy a clinical test is the ultimate proof.

A clinical pregnancy test is required to confirm pregnancy

One can confirm pregnancy by conducting the small home pregnancy test, and detecting the level of HCG in the urine. If the result is positive one may need to make an appointment with a family doctor to confirm the pregnancy and start the follow up. Like the home pregnancy test the office urine test also confirms pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG in the urine.

Similarly, a blood test can also be made that may give a positive or negative results. This is normally conducted when there are apprehensions of miscarriage or unusual pregnancy. After a period of 4 to 6 weeks the obstetrician can confirm the pregnancy by a physical examination.  The thickening of the vaginal tissues and softening of the uterus confirms the pregnancy.

How can I cope with the first trimester?

Now you should prepare yourself for the next huge things. The upcoming nine months will be more thrilling than before. You’ll experience unexpected, remarkable changes in your body.

In general, pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each one has its own nature.

Take a look at the general symptoms you may have in the first trimester of your pregnancy – a crucial time when you should be careful with your fetus.  

Also, the tips given will hopefully help you go through this wonderful journey. So to help you cope with first trimester, here is how to effectively deal with these symptoms previously mentioned above. Enjoy.

Morning Sickness, Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are two common symptoms of early pregnancy. The stretching of the uterine muscles and the pressure on the digestive tract as the baby grows can cause increased stomach acids. The body reacts to this through vomiting.

Also, a woman’s sense of smell is on hyper-drive during pregnancy. This can also increase irritability as well as the probability of vomiting.

Rejoice, for this doesn’t stay for the whole nine months. Usually, the vomiting stops after the third month. And do not worry the vomiting doesn’t hurt the baby.

To help with morning sickness, try not to eat large meals. Instead eat small frequent meals so that the stomach doesn’t get “shocked.”

Hot drinks, crackers, and fresh fruits are great choices for relieving nausea and vomiting.

Also, studies show that a diet abundant in complex carbohydrates, like bread and other starchy food, and proteins can help alleviate morning sickness. But avoid eating fatty food.

Breast swelling in the first trimester

The body, in its preparation for the arrival of the baby, releases progesterone and estrogen in higher levels than usual. These hormones send a message to the breasts to produce more milk, in preparation for feeding the baby when it comes out.

The areolas will most likely enlarge and darken. Later on, you may notice that these areas start to have white bumps. There may also be increased sensitivity in the breast area and you may also see blue lines along your breasts. These blue lines are only your blood vessels working hard to supply blood to your breasts.

The increasing hormone lets your breasts become more sensitive, fuller and heavier than usual, as the pregnancy progresses. This time you may replace your bra with a more comfortable, and good support bra of the right size.

Shortness of Breath and fatigue

Pregnancy can cause fatigue and other emotional changes in a woman. You should know that even while you sleep, your body is feeding another living being. During pregnancy, your body needs more rest.

To prevent yourself from being more irritable than you are and more tired, try to get as much sleep as you can in the night. The ideal length of sleep for an adult is six to eight hours, try to get this much every night.

A proper diet also helps with fatigue, after all you’re already feeding two people. One other reason for the fatigue may be the lack of vitamins and nutrients for the both of you. Take the vitamins that your doctor recommends and make sure you eat lots of nutrient-rich foods.

Exercise is also a big help. It doesn’t have to be hard exercise, a light jog, or a slow walk can in essence re-energize your body for the extra work it does. But remember, a balance of exercise and rest is needed too. Note that much exercise or too much rest can also increase fatigue.

Don’t push yourself by working too hard. Try to get some rests whenever you feel fatigue.

Irritability and mood changes

The change of hormones in your body causes your moods to switch as well. Mild exercises can help your moods. Moreover, just think that it’s a preliminary change and challenge you’ll have before and after your baby arrives.

Mood swings may also happen to women monthly during pre-menstrual period.

Lightheadedness in the first trimester

During pregnancy, the heart is pumping harder to provide extra blood to the legs and the uterus. As such, a woman may experience dizziness due to the lack of enough blood flow to the brain.

Low blood sugar levels can also contribute to dizziness. The best thing to do in this case is to make sure that you eat protein rich food and frequent smaller meals.

Urination Frequency

The rapid growth of the uterus presses the other internal organs away. This includes the bladder. Usually the frequency decreases when the uterus settles into the abdominal cavity. It may return on the third trimester when the uterus drops back down to prepare for birth.

Try leaning forward while urinating. This is to make sure that you empty your bladder completely and can help in decreasing the urinating frequency. Also, you’ll be going to the restroom more often.

Increased craving in the first trimester

Acquire nutritious and balanced food intake. Make sure you and your baby are well nourished.

Tips To Help You Survive the 1st Trimester of Pregnancy

1. Get plenty of rest

Most likely, you will be more tired than ever before during the first trimester. Listen to your body and go to bed or take naps when you are feeling tired. This may also mean cutting back on obligations, or going out with friends.

Do not let yourself worry about housework, errands, or getting ready for the baby, which needs to be done. You will have more energy in the 2nd trimester, so let the things that can wait, wait. Also, ask your husband, boyfriend, or family to help you when you are tired.

2. Ask (or beg) your significant other to do the grocery shopping, cooking, and some of the cleaning

You may have aversions to foods in the first trimester or simply just do not have the desire to cook. Prepare a list of food items that you enjoy and ask your husband to prepare the meals each night or a few nights per week.

Alleviating the stress of having to deal with food aversions at the grocery store and over the stove will help alleviate some of the nausea you may be feeling. Not only that, but if you are like my wife and working full time, you are tired in the evenings and will not feel like cooking or cleaning.

3. Make large meals on the weekends to last throughout the week

You will find that you have a little more energy for a few hours on the weekends. Snatch up those moments of energy to make a one-dish meal for the week (soups, casseroles, lasagnas, stews) so that you have something on the nights you lack the desire and energy to cook.

4. If you are experiencing nausea, try different avenues to alleviate it

There are many tips out there to ease the nausea, such as eating crackers in the morning before you get up, eating crackers all day, drinking ginger tea, and drinking ginger ale.

My wife did not find these things to help with her nausea. One of the things that helped her was eating grilled cheese sandwiches all day, and drinking lemonade. So, what works for one, does not work for all. Try different things.

5. Don’t read all of the pregnancy books

Ask your doctor for one book that their practice recommends and stick with that book. If you feel the need to buy several books on the market, do not let yourself get worried about all of the things they discuss in these books.

For example, my wife thought there was a chance that our baby was going to have neural tube defects (due to lack of folic acid) since she did not take prenatal vitamins prior to conception and in the first month of pregnancy. Her doctor assured her that she does not even need to take the prenatal vitamins until the 20th week.

6. Call your doctor if you have concerns about anything! Your doctor will assure you more than the books or anyone else for that matter.

Conclusion

These are the more common discomforts during early pregnancy. Others like weight gain, varicose veins, heartburn, early pregnancy discharge and early pregnancy spotting may also occur. Talk to your doctor when you experience severe discomforts. Being prepared early can help a lot during pregnancy. Be sure to have regular check-up with your doctor in order to stay healthy. Also, exercise properly and eat good diet and vitamins.

Some of you may not recognize that you’re pregnant until it reaches five to six weeks from your last period. But soon when you find it out, it’s best to think which health care provider you’ll go to for a routine check-up.

Ask your pregnancy condition to your obstetrician/gynecologist

Some of the congenital abnormalities may be observed at the end of the third month of pregnancy by a USG examination. Consult with him/her when unexpected things occur.

Read also lots of information about pregnancy. Knowing what happens in your uterus – and your pregnancy in general – will make you feel safe and comfy.

Most of all, enjoy your bigger size. It’s an amazing experience you’ll never forget in your life.

Lastly, have fun during your first trimester! Cherish all of the changes and experiences your body goes through during pregnancy as it forms a little miracle inside.

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