Pregnancy is when a woman's body starts nurturing a life inside her. The ride of excitement, overwhelming feelings, strange food cravings, new starts overall the first three months is like putting on the safety belts and getting ready for the beautiful pregnancy journey. If you're pregnant you need to be super careful in starting months of pregnancy to nurture the little soul inside you.
The first trimester starts from the day of conception which ends with 13th week. This period is crucial for you, as the fetus develops all the vital organs like spine, brain and spinal cord. During this phase your body goes through lots of hormonal changes and you may experience nausea, tiredness, bloating, cramping, constipation.
Prenatal medication
The most important thing for you is to take medicines on time without skipping. Always take the medication suggested by your doctor, do not take any natural or herbal medication as they may interfere with the growth of the fetus. Supplements like folic acid (most important for brain development), vitamin D3, iron, calcium are necessary to take for avoiding any birth defect. These pregnancy multivitamins are necessary for the mother as well for preventing pregnancy anemia.
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Drink more and more water
During pregnancy, water helps your body to absorb essential nutrients and transport minerals, vitamins and hormones to blood cells. Nutrient-rich blood cells reach to your baby for their growth and development. Drinking enough water is necessary to prevent dehydration, constipation and maintaining a good balance of amniotic fluid.
Foods to avoid
Yes, you read it right, some foods need to be avoided during the pregnancy. Bacteria like Listeria may transfer to you and your baby through your food which causes miscarriage and birth defects. Unpasteurized dairy, soft cheese, ready to eat salads, sprouts, ready to eat foods, leftover foods, frozen foods and vegetables must need to be strictly avoided while you're pregnant.
Fruits like papaya, pineapple, peach are also not for the first three months. Spices like sesame seeds, tulsi, aloe vera juice are too not recommended for a pregnant woman. Vegetables like brinjal, drumstick should also be avoided though drumsticks are high in iron and vitamins but it also comprises alpha-sitosterol which affects growth of the fetus. Whereas the drumsticks are super beneficial for the milk production in lactating moms and recommended to eat right after the delivery.
Large fish contain high mercury content which is harmful for pregnant ladies, fish like Carp (Rohu), Tuna, Bluefish, Lobster need to be avoided. Though fish like Butterfish (Pomfret), Catfish (Singhara), Mackerel (bangada), Herring (Hilsa) contain low mercury, these too need to be avoided during the first trimester to prevent any birth risk. The fish I mention here is popularly available in India.
Big no to uncooked and raw foods
Uncooked foods, raw meats increase the risk of infections during pregnancy, so it's recommended to eat fully cooked food. Bacteria like E.coli, Toxoplasma, Listeria, and Salmonella are mostly present in uncooked, uncooked eggs, frozen foods, and sprouts.
No junk and processed food
In pregnancy you will definitely crave for junk or processed food but it's strictly no for you during your first three months. The bacteria present in the uncooked and processed food is harmful for you. Considering today's situation the hygiene level is also not maintained in outside cooked food, therefore home cooked food must be preferred while pregnant.
Cut your caffeine intake
You need not to avoid your coffee or tea. You can take your favourite caffeine but just limit them max two or three per day. Green tea contains very less caffeine but still it's recommended to cut down to two to three intake per day. Since green tea may restrict the absorption of folic acid in you, and as mentioned above folic acid is the main supplement for the growth of the baby in initial days of pregnancy.
You should not increase your caffeine intake more than 200mg a day, which is nearly three or four cups. Caffeine is present in chocolates, cakes, soft drinks, market based energy drinks and cola as well so strict yourself while consuming these food items.
No drinking and smoking
Exposure to smoking and consumption of alcohol can increase to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies. Drinking and smoking of a pregnant woman would alter autonomic nervous system function during pregnancy. If you like to drink occasionally then also its time to quit as you will never want to risk a little life.
Avoid strong smell
In early months of pregnancy you may feel nausea or vomiting with some smell. It could be anything like spices, wall paint, kerosene oil, phenyl. These smells may trigger you with nausea even though it doesn't affect you earlier.
Seek OB/GYN consultation
The most important thing to consider is to seek advice from your doctor. Find a good doctor as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed. Do not hesitate to tell your doctor about each and every medical history (if you have any medical issue), so the doctor can prescribe accordingly. It is very important to discuss all the pregnancy vaccines with your doctor and take them on time. Do visit your gynecologist regularly and seek advice if you experience any discomfort or pain.
No hot baths and sauna
High temperature bath, that is over 40 degree Celsius is not recommended in pregnancy. In hot bath tubs and sauna can cause excessive heat which can be higher than your basal body temperature. Avoid any overheating process like hot bath, sauna, steam bath, hot yoga to prevent the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.
Check your sugar intake
You definitely need to check your sugar intake because the risk of gestational diabetes is higher if you do not manage your sugar intake in the early few months of pregnancy. If your craving for sweet food is increased then you can choose natural sweeteners, fruits, etc.
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Exercise
Most of the women ask if it is safe to exercise in pregnancy. Yes it's safe, make sure you are not doing any vigorous physical activity. Mild and moderate exercise is always recommended for pregnant women. It is very important to be active and healthy throughout your pregnancy. You may not feel energetic in early days but mild exercise will definitely help you to be fresh and active.
Rest well
In the first trimester of pregnancy, many women feel fatigue which is quite normal. You need to take rest as well, your body is growing and you may feel tired. Therefore, dont pull yourself hard, it can worsen the situation. Take naps and relax your body.
Don't clean pet litters
If you are a pet lover then you must need to limit your exposure to pets. Also, never clean their faeces, as they contain a harmful parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite can affect the brain and eyes defects in the fetus.
Control on your weight
Weight gain should not be more than 0.5 to 2kg in the first trimester. If you lose or gain more than 5% to 10% of your pre-pregnancy weight you must need to consult your doctor.
Do not eat for two
You need to eat healthy and nutritious food, not double the quantity of your diet. In the first trimester of pregnancy your calorie intake must not increase more than 1,800 calories. As mentioned above you need to monitor your weight, therefore maintain a healthy lifestyle and a quality of food.
Limit your travelling
For an uncomplicated pregnancy, four hours travelling is not a concern. However, travelling in two wheeler and three wheeler is not recommended in the first trimester of the pregnancy. Unruly traffic and bumpy roads of India with sudden breaks and jerks is surely not good for an expecting woman. Another thing two and three wheeler vehicles do not have safety belt to support any accident or fall.
The first trimester is the most critical period of the pregnancy and you must take precautions for the overall development of your baby. However, in the entire pregnancy period you need to be cautious. Follow the above mentioned precautions for a healthy development of your fetus. Do not take unnecessary risk and stress, enjoy your pregnancy journey and stay happy.
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