Posts Tagged ‘first trimester’
Pregnancy is described as the most beautiful experience in a woman’s life. Pregnancy, the stage of carrying the fetus or embryo, is generally spread over a period of 9 months (calculated as 40 weeks). This period is divided into three periods, known as TRIMESTERS. They are first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy, and third trimester pregnancy. Each trimester pregnancy is comprised of around 3 months each and has a varying effect on the expectant mother’s life. Prenatal care is of utmost importance in all the trimesters.
The first trimester pregnancy begins from the first day of the last menstrual period the woman has had and is spread over the first 12 weeks. Conception particularly occurs after 2 weeks of the start of the prenatal period. The body experiences many changes in the first trimester. This period witnesses development in fetus’s growth.
As an expectant mother, one may see all the early symptoms of pregnancy. While missing of periods is normal and required, few women may experience slight outflow. If the periods occur with huge outflows, the woman should immediately see the doctor. Also, the woman may see various changes in her body like enlargement of breasts along with tenderness.
While weight gain is not so prominent in many at the first trimester pregnancy, few may have a slight increase their weight, which may result in fatigue. Weakness can also result in increased metabolism and hence sweating. A not so prominent abdominal enlargement is seen. Urination frequency increases and following the hormonal changes that the pregnancy brings in, some women tend to encounter constipation, which brings on extra pressure on the abdomen.
One of the most prevalent changes that any expectant mother notices at first trimester pregnancy stage is nausea and morning sickness. While the term may be associated with a feeling of vomiting or vomiting in the mornings, it is not so every time. Many may experience this throughout the course of the day. This can be more prevalent during mornings, evenings or nights. Mild vomiting doesn’t cause any harm to the baby, but if it’s severe the woman should the doctor. Morning sickness also results in loss of appetite in the first trimester pregnancy, which can cause weight loss in many.
Increased vomiting leads to loss of body fluids, which in turn adds on the fatigue. Hence, the diet should be mineral rich and vitamin rich. Morning sickness cannot be completely eradicated in the first trimester pregnancy, but it can be controlled though. The diet should be spread in small intakes during the course of the day to keep the digestive system running well.
Dizziness prevails all the times for many mothers and this is aggravated with motion or traveling. Motion sickness is not necessarily a pregnacy symptom, but can be associated with a morning sickness with motion or travel. Fainting is also seen in some women, especially with fatigue, as there is an increased blood supply towards the uterus and legs.
The mother should take extreme care in case of her diet. The first trimester pregnancy sees an assumingly good growth in the fetus and hence the mother is expected to maintain her body in accordance with the same.