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First Trimester of Pregnancy – What, Why, When?

First Trimester Information & Guide & Symptoms

First Trimester of Pregnancy

You have been having symptoms of pregnancy and now it’s been confirmed that there is a tiny new life inside you. Welcome to the first trimester of pregnancy. Of course, you are very excited that you are an expectant mother and soon will be carrying your bundle of joy in your arms.

Even though you still look the same, you know that a baby is coming to life in your body and it won’t be long before you start showing it! At this point, you may have morning sickness, although this isn’t the case for all women. You may also feel fatigued or bloated and have cramps in your lower abdomen.

A pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks and is divided into three trimesters of 3 months each. During the first trimester, your body will be undergoing a lot of transformational changes as it starts to nurture your baby. The baby is developing rapidly from an egg implanted in the uterine wall to a zygote to a fetus.

Some of the baby’s organs, such as the brain and spinal cord, begin to form in the first trimester. It is very important to seek medical care as soon as you think you are pregnant to ensure that you start getting the care and attention necessary for the health of your growing fetus.

As an expectant mother, staying in good health should be a top priority. You have to eat a very healthy diet because you and your baby will need all the nutrients you can get for the 9-month journey.

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A Woman’s Body in The First Trimester of Pregnancy

One of the most important things you can do in your first trimester is to stay happy and healthy. This means getting enough rest, eating right, and avoiding stress or fatigue no matter what happens.

Stress often accompanies the nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness. Some women experience an excessive amount of stress after their first trimester begins.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 4 Weeks

A woman’s body releases hormones that have a direct effect on every one of her organs. The initial sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Other signs are

  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Mood swings
  • Food cravings
  • Weight gain
  • Sore bread
  • Headaches
  • Constipation
  • Back pain
  • Morning sickness
  • Rejection of certain foods
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The Fetus in the First Trimester: Day by Day Growth

The first trimester starts on the first day of your last period. After sexual intercourse, an egg is released and fertilized by a sperm and conception occurs. A fetus starts growing in your uterus during the first trimester and develops its nervous system. At this stage, it is known as an embryo. At week 4 it develops a spinal cord and brain and its heartbeat can be detected.

Things to Do in Week 4

If you smoke, now is the time to stop.

You might also check out our article: Pregnancy Week 4 – Week by Week Pregnancy

Start taking folic acid and vitamin D. Eat vegetables, fruits, and berries along with folic acid supplements until week 12 because you can’t get enough folic acid in food. Take 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day throughout your pregnancy and 400 micrograms of folic acid each day.

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Week 5 of Pregnancy

By week 5, your baby’s face is starting to form, and its nose and eyes are taking shape. Your baby is about 3/8 inch long. Your baby’s hands and feet are beginning to form.

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First Trimester of Pregnancy - What, Why, When?

Things To Do In Week 5 and Week 6 Of Pregnancy – 6 Weeks Pregnant

  • Look after yourself and your baby.
  • Cut down on caffeine.
  • Follow a vegan diet.
  • Stay Hydrated!
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You might also check out our article: Pregnancy Week 5 – Pregnancy Week by Week

Week 6

Your baby’s heart starts beating at 24 days. His heartbeats can sometimes be found on an ultrasound image.

You might also check out our article: Pregnancy Week 6 – Pregnancy Week by Week

Remedies For Morning Sickness

In the first trimester, morning sickness becomes a part of your day, hitting you hard. Here are some remedies that have worked, but time is really the best remedy.

  • Drink clean water
  • Suck on ice cubes
  • Eat small meals frequently.
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  • Eat foods and drinks that contain ginger, for example, ginger biscuits, ginger tea or ginger chamomile tea, ginger ale, and crystallized ginger.
  • If you don’t have morning sickness or any other symptoms associated with stress, eat foods that will give your baby nutrients to grow on, such as strawberries, bananas, and broccoli. Many women find that fresh fruit is great to eat while pregnant.
  • Adding apple cider vinegar and honey to water is one of the best remedies for morning sickness. The mixture is very soothing.
The Role of a Quality Mattress in Enhancing Sleep for Expectant Mothers Pregnancy MOTHER.COM MOTHER Mother | Pregnancy | Baby | Kids | Motherhood | Parenting
First Trimester of Pregnancy - What, Why, When?

Remedies For Nasty Headaches

  • Try to rest when you can
  • Find ways to relax, such as practicing pregnancy yoga.
  • Take painkillers, but not too often. Talk to your doctor about which one is best and whether you need a prescription for a painkiller. Paracetamol is considered the safest painkiller to take during pregnancy.
  • Focus on the positive and avoid the negative. Thinking about the many accomplishments you’ve had in the past can help make your pregnancy a little less stressful.Talk to your doctor about pain relief
  • Take time to relax, and go about your day normally while you’re pregnant. Try to take some time off from work or school if you have to. Some stress and exhaustion can be eliminated by relaxing and getting out of your routine.

What To Do In Week 7 Of Pregnancy – 7 Weeks Pregnant

By week 7, your baby’s head is growing faster than the rest of its body to make room for its developing brain. Cartilage starts forming in the tiny arm and leg buds. The arm and leg buds grow longer, develop segments, and flatten out at the end in what will become hands and feet.

Staying fit is important and healthy at this stage for both you and the baby.

By the end of 8 weeks, the hands of the baby begin to grow. The baby’s sex organs begin to form and then mature in the first trimester. The baby is now about 3 inches long and weighs 1 ounce.

You might also check out our article: Pregnancy Week 7 & 8 – Week By Week Pregnancy

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Prenatal Care In The First Trimester

Choosing a doctor at the beginning of the first trimester is very important. At this stage, you will likely choose a gynecologist, but later on, a midwife or obstetrician may be part of the team. Your health care specialist will be with you on the whole journey of pregnancy.

Your visit is important. The focus will be on assessing your overall health, identifying any risk factors you may have, and determining your baby’s gestational age. Your doctor will ask you relevant questions about your medical history. If you are uncomfortable answering certain questions from a specialist of the opposite sex, a female specialist can work best for you.

Learn about first-trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities, including prenatal cell-free DNA screening.
You will be asked to schedule future appointments so you can discuss any concerns or fears that may come up with your specialist and make sure you continue to be healthy.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the First Trimester

How to prevent miscarriages in the first trimester?

• Consume nutritious, well-balanced meals.
• Ensure that you take folic acid on a daily basis.
• Exercise on a regular basis.
• Control your tension and manage stress.
• Avoid exposure to radiation and toxins
• Take extra precautions to protect your abdomen when pregnant. Avoid high-risk sports.
• Consult your health care practitioner before using any medicine during pregnancy.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Avoid smoking.
• Consume no more than one to two glasses of caffeinated beverages each day.
• Abstain from illegal substances.

Can an orgasm cause miscarriage in the first trimester?

Sex is safe in a healthy pregnancy for the whole 9 months, including the first trimester. The majority of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, however, it is vital to recognize that intercourse is not a cause.

When does the first trimester end?

Pregnancy is split into three trimesters; the first trimester lasts from week one to week twelve.

What to eat in the first trimester of pregnancy?

The fundamentals of proper nutrition stay the same throughout pregnancy – consume lots of fruits, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. A nutritious pregnancy diet will aid in the growth and development of your baby.

What not to eat in the first trimester?

• Ensure that all fruits, veggies, and salad components are properly cleaned.
• If you consume raw or undercooked meat, you have a tiny chance of contracting toxoplasmosis, which may result in miscarriage.
• Consume only washed produce.
• Listeria may be present in unpasteurized dairy products. Listeriosis is an infection caused by this bacterium.
• If you consume eggs, ensure that the whites and yolks are fully cooked.
• Tuna should be limited since it contains more mercury than other seafood.
• If you consume an excessive amount of mercury, it may be hazardous to your unborn child.
• Caffeine is permitted, but no more than 200mg per day.
• If you are pregnant or intending to get pregnant, the safest course of action is to abstain from alcohol entirely.
• You should limit yourself to a maximum of four glasses of herbal tea each day.

How much water should a pregnant woman drink in her first trimester?

Pregnant women should drink at least ten 8-ounce glasses of water or other drinks each day on average, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Why am I so hungry in my first trimester?

Your baby is developing and needs more nutrition from you in order to grow healthily, and your body is putting forth a lot of effort to support your baby.

When does the first trimester fatigue start?

First trimester fatigue may start as early as one week after conception for some women. The hormone progesterone, in particular, plays a significant role in making you tired due to changes in your hormone levels. During the first trimester, this hormone increases dramatically.

Additionally, your heart beats faster and harder as blood volume rises to feed the growing placenta and fetal circulation. It’s also possible that low iron levels are making you fatigued, but this is more typical in the latter stages of pregnancy. The severe tiredness of the first trimester is soon forgotten by most women as the glow and increased energy of the second trimester sets in.

In the third trimester, fatigue frequently returns as a result of sleep disruption and growing discomforts.

How much weight is safe to lose in the first trimester?

There are relatively minimum caloric and nutritional requirements while the mother is first pregnant. So, mostly, if you unintentionally lose a few pounds at this time, it won’t have an adverse effect on the growth of your baby.

It is generally alright to lose a few pounds during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, weight loss during pregnancy has been linked with an increased risk of low birth weight and premature delivery.

How long does cramping last in the first trimester?

Whichever the cause, the length of time that you will be cramping will be determined by that cause. UTI cramps may continue until you seek medical attention and implantation cramps last just a few hours to a few days.

What is the first trimester screening?

During the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s chance of having a baby with Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome is assessed through the first trimester screening via two prenatal blood tests and a specialized ultrasound.

How much does the first trimester screening cost?

The price of blood tests and prenatal ultrasounds varies depending on the healthcare provider and the insurance company, but they should be within a reasonable range. One source of information on medical costs indicates the hCG test should cost no more than $40, for example. A prenatal ultrasound typically costs about $3000 to do. These screenings may cost up to $600 for women, so ask your provider about the expenses if you’ll be paying the bill for one of these tests yourself.

Which organ develops and is fully functional in the first trimester?

The digestive system, as well as the neural tube, heart, and circulatory system, begin to form. The eyes and ears are also forming.

How to reduce morning sickness in the first trimester?

• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and rest.
• Hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water.
• Stay away from odors and foods that make you feel ill.
• Before you get out of bed, eat something mild like dry toast or a simple cookie.
• Eat modest, frequent meals of simple, high-carbohydrate, low-fat foods to lose weight.
• If the smell of hot food makes you uncomfortable, go for cold instead.
• Ginger may assist with nausea and vomiting, according to some research (always check with your doctor before taking ginger supplements during pregnancy)

What is the approximate increase in energy needs (kcal/d) in the first trimester of pregnancy?

The Institute of Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women maintain pregravid calorie consumption during the first trimester for the recommended weight gain of 0.5 to 2 kg in the first trimester since weight gain’s energy expenditures are deemed low.

Pregnant women should eat an extra 100 to 200 kcals per day, provided their physical activity does not decrease, according to the energy intake requirement model.

Can you sleep on your stomach when during the first trimester of pregnancy?

Sleeping on your stomach is generally OK until the belly begins to develop, which occurs between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. When your bump begins to show, stomach sleeping becomes very uncomfortable for the majority of women.

Is massage safe during the first trimester of pregnancy?

According to the American Pregnancy Association, women may begin receiving massages at any time throughout their pregnancy. Prenatal massage therapists, on the other hand, will not take customers until the second trimester. The chance of miscarriage is much higher during the first trimester, and most therapists are worried that the increased blood flow during a massage may be detrimental to the pregnancy.

How does stress affect pregnancy in the first trimester?

According to a 2015 research, excessive stress during the first trimester may really alter the microorganisms that live in the vagina of an expecting woman. These microorganisms are transmitted to the baby after vaginal delivery, altering the gut microbiota and brain development of the infant.

Can you take Tylenol in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Acetaminophen or Tylenol is generally considered the safest pain medication to use while pregnant, yet there are a few risks associated with it. Recently, a number of scientists reached a consensus on the possibility that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (Tylenol) may affect fetal development. Always consult with your physician before consuming any pain reliever or medicine.

Why is progesterone production in the corpus luteum important in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Progesterone is critical throughout the first trimester of pregnancy because it helps the uterus to develop without contractions.

How much weight can a pregnant woman lift in the first trimester?

If you previously only lifted light weights, heavy lifting during pregnancy is never a good idea. Switching to a more rigorous exercise routine will simply add unneeded stress to your body at a time of major change, so stay with what you’re currently comfortable with.

What are the symptoms of twins in the first trimester?

Having twin pregnancies may result in increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), often known as the “pregnancy hormone.” However, having a high hCG level does not always indicate that you are carrying twins. Mothers with multiples seem to be more likely than other moms to experience an increase in morning sickness.

What happens when one of the twins dies in the first trimester?

It’s called “vanishing twin syndrome” when one of the twins dies early in pregnancy before the mother even realizes she’s expecting twins. When this occurs, the mother’s body typically absorbs the tissue from the miscarried twin. There may be no symptoms at all in many cases. Some moms, on the other hand, report symptoms that are very similar to those of a miscarriage.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only.
First Trimester of Pregnancy - What, Why, When? is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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