Things You Should Know About Your Pregnancy at This Stage

Each phase of pregnancy comes with its own weird package. The first trimester is the time where the symptoms become glaring. In the case of ‘first-timers,’ these symptoms become severe. The first trimester of pregnancy is when your pregnancy is between 1 and 3 months old. At this stage, you begin to experience weird bodily changes and nausea for almost everything. Here, your body begins to crave for junks and practically every sweet thing you encounter, and at the same time, your body begins to create aversions for real foods. In order to guide you through the first trimester of your pregnancy, a list of dos and don’ts have been compiled in this article to help you better understand what you should not or should do at this stage of pregnancy.

If this is your first time of being pregnant, you do not need to panic or worry about how to live through your pregnancy period, as you are in the right blog. This specific article covers everything you need to know about first-trimester pregnancy. Parts of this article that would be discussed include the signs and symptoms you experience at this stage, the nutrients you need as a pregnant woman, and the meal plan and the right diet for you.

Most women get it wrong during this stage as a result of a lack of experience. This has caused a lot of mothers, their lives, and their children’s lives accordingly. In order to prevent such for yourself, it is important that you have proper knowledge about how to handle pregnancy, which includes the right diet and lifestyle. To begin with, the following are the symptoms you would experience in your first trimester.

Symptoms

When you see these symptoms, you do not need to be scared as they are typical signs. Managing them properly would help you enjoy the first trimester of your pregnancy. What are these symptoms?

• It is normal for you to always feel weak and get tired even without you doing anything stressful. This usually is the first and most common sign of pregnancy. This symptom is likely to last for weeks.
• Bodily changes like weird breast tenderness.
• Nausea and constant vomiting. At this stage, almost everything irritates you. Those things you used to like would suddenly become your most significant aversion. It is possible that you will continue to experience it till the end of your first trimester, but don’t worry, you will be fine.
• Your breasts will become more extensive, and those green veins on them would become more visible.
• All of these symptoms are engineered by hormonal changes; however, these severe symptoms would fade over time before you eventually give birth.

Nutrients Required for First Trimester Pregnancy

Though these nutrients are essential for you throughout your pregnancy period, it is needed the most in this first pregnancy stage. These nutrients contain properties that would help keep you and your baby safe. In addition, adding them to your diet would help you have a healthy pregnancy. The following nutrients are needed for the healthy growth and development of yourself and your baby;

Omega 3 Fatty Acids:

Omega 3 aids in boosting the growth and development of your baby’s brain and other vital organs. It also works with other nutrients to improve your child’s sight, memory, and language comprehension upon birth and during its early ages. Eating foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy would make your baby healthy and strong, both now and after its born. It is also very effective in reducing postpartum depression risks. Foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids include seeds, fishes, and other omega 3 supplements.

Folate:

Folate, also known as Vitamin B, is almost the most important nutrient needed during pregnancy. It reduces the risk of spina bifida by about 70%. This means it averts a significant pregnancy risk. Imagine such a massive benefit at a cheap rate. You can get folate from legumes, fruits like citrus, leafy vegetables, and fish. Including Vitamin B supplements in your diet is not a bad idea too.

Calcium:

This nutrient boosts the development of your baby’s bones and brain. It also helps strengthen you throughout your period of pregnancy. Foods that contain calcium include fish bones, fortified flour products, and soy products. Calcium also plays a vital role in the growth of your baby’s teeth after it is born.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D readily helps in the absorption of calcium. It works hand in hand with calcium. If you want the calcium you have included in your diet to function, then you need vitamin D. The combination of both nutrients would leave you and your unborn baby healthy and strong.

Iron and iron supplements:

Since it is difficult to get iron from food, iron supplements will do.

Dos and Don’ts of First Trimester Pregnancy

Dos

• Take every prenatal appointment seriously.
• Speak with your health care provider about medications, lifestyle, or diets you are about to venture into.
• Be sure to take plenty of multivitamins and enough balanced diet.
• Quit smoking and avoid alcohol intake.
• Get enough rest and sleep. This is beneficial for both yourself and your baby.
• Engage yourself in physical exercise. Do not engage in rigorous ones. Just ensure that you do little workouts to help your joints as well as strengthen you.
• Eat seafood if you have them at your disposal. They are rich in essential nutrients that are needed during pregnancy.
• Have sex as often as you can. The medical record says it helps a lot, as long as you do not experience any discomfort in the process.
• Try yoga
• Make sure you get a flu shot. This is very important to both you and your baby. Flu is a viral or bacterial infection that is common among infants and toddlers. Getting a flu shot would protect you and your baby from contracting it.
• Practice personal hygiene. Personal hygiene is the height of protective measures that should be taken during pregnancy.
• Lie with your sides whenever you go to bed. Under no circumstance should you lie with your back or with your face down; these sleeping positions can be very dangerous for you.
• Avoid cats. Cats carry a particular disease that can lead to birth defects. If you love cats, avoid them for now, and do not even get close to their litter boxes until you give birth.
• Avoid spicy foods, as in some cases, they can lead to heartburn and irritation.
• Always stay hydrated.
• Avoid caffeine. The medical record holds that excessive caffeine intake among pregnant women can lead to miscarriage.
• Eat less processed foods. Eat more natural and organic foods, as chemicals used to preserve processed foods can be dangerous for your health.

Don’ts

Here are the things to avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy;

• Do not drink alcohol or smoke while pregnant. Its effects are hazardous to both you and your baby. Resist the urge during this period.
• Do not eat raw or uncooked foods. This is unhealthy for your general wellbeing.
• Do not eat foods like soft cheese or deli meats; they can be dangerous.
• Do not take caffeinated drinks. Excess caffeine has been found to be one of the causes of miscarriages in pregnant women.
• Do not sit on hot tubs; this action can lead to miscarriage.
• Do not follow the “eat for two” myth. This is capable of leaving you overweight and obese, even during pregnancy.
• Do not stay more than 3-4 hours without eating food. Eat well and eat healthily.
• Do not eat junk. The pros of junks are much more than its cons; therefore, it should be a ‘no go area’ for pregnant women.
• Do not allow dehydration to take over. Always stay as hydrated as possible.
• Do not ignore food safety. Ensure your foods are well cooked and are not contaminated.

Having rich information about pregnancy, especially at a stage as delicate as the first trimester, is essential for every woman. This information prevents you from being clueless and confused when you start experiencing the weird symptoms of pregnancy. Adopting healthy lifestyles, habits, and diets during pregnancy would help ensure a healthy pregnancy. Essential nutrients required for carrying healthy pregnancies should not be overlooked. The effects of these nutrients are always felt even after the child has been born. Healthy pregnancy equals a healthy baby. Sticking to appropriate diet and lifestyle routines would send off pregnancy complications miles away from you.