Changes in the First 3 months of Pregnancy

If you know what changes can happen during pregnancy. It can help you face the months ahead with confidence.

Pregnancy has three Trimesters-what are these?

The entire duration of pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters as follows

1. First trimester:- begins from the first day of your last period and last till the end of week 13.
2. Second trimester:– begins from week 14 and lasts till the end of week 26 (consists of 4^th, 5^th and 6^th completed months of pregnancy
3. Third trimester:– begins from week 27 and ends anywhere between week 38-week 42 (consists of 7^th, 8^th and 9^th completed months of pregnancy.

Changes that you may experience during the first trimester

Bleeding:-

• Some may bleed slightly during the first trimester
• No need to worry; light spotting may indicate that the fertilized embryo has got attached to the wall of uterus

What you can do?

Call your doctor immediately if you have increased bleeding and cramps or sharp pain in the abdomen; this could be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (embryo getting implanted outside the uterus)

Painful breasts:-

• One of the earliest signs of pregnancy, which can last till the last trimester Occurs because of hormonal changes, which are preparing your milk ducts to feed the baby
• To overcome this problem- increase your bra size and wear a more supportive or sports bra.

Constipation:-

• High hormone levels during pregnancy may slow down the movement of food through your intestine
• Your iron supplements may also lead to constipation

What you can do?

• Take fiber-rich diet
• Drink lots of fluids
• Increase physical activity

Fatigue:-

Your body is working hard to support a growing baby; it is common to feel exhausted

What you can do?

• Make sure you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest and sleep
• Take iron supplements as prescribed by your doctor, as too little can lead to anemia
• Eat more proteins; they help in iron absorption and production of red blood cells’ there by preventing anemia
• Eat foods rich in iron such as jiggery, green leafy vegetables like spinach, mustard leaves, turnip green, cereals and sprouted pulses to prevent anemia

Food cravings and Aversions:-

Craving for food is common in some, while some may dislike food. Craving from time to time is normal, provided you are having healthy, low calorie foods. If you experience craving for non-foods like clay, dirt etc.’ then report to your doctor immediately, as this could be dangerous for you and your baby

Nausea or Morning sickness:-

• Nausea is very common and occurs due to hormonal changes in your body; it can last through the first trimester
• It is usually worst in the morning, hence also called as morning sickness
• Nausea may be a warning sign that you are experiencing a protein deficiency

What you can do?

• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
• Eat foods low in fat and easy to digest
• Eat meals high in protein
• If your diet is low in protein, take protein supplements after consulting your doctor
• Avoid smells such as cigarette smoke or perfume that can worsen nausea
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid coffee/fluids containing caffeine and alcohol