The first three months or the first trimester of pregnancy begins before even you realize you are pregnant. It starts from the day of your last menstrual period including conception that is after 14 days. In the initial 8 weeks, the baby is known as an embryo, and then it becomes a fetus. In the first trimester of your pregnancy, from a single fertilized cell your baby changes into an embryo. Then over a certain period of time, it starts growing rapidly as the baby’s heart and nervous system start to form and the appearance of limb buds begins.
During the first three months, you might not even look pregnant, but the feeling of being pregnant does take place. The level of your hormones starts to change as your baby starts to grow inside. You will also start to experience symptoms of pregnancy like tiredness, sickness during morning hours, frequent urination, breast tenderness, change of tastes, and a lot more.
The initial months of pregnancy are very important for both the baby and you as an individual. It is the time when you and your partner realize the responsibility of becoming a parent and prepare yourself mentally, financially, and emotionally for all the changes that will take place ahead.
As the first three months are important for the development of a baby, it is important that you take care of your health very carefully. Following is the list of some to-dos that you should make sure of in your first three months of pregnancy:
Select a maternity carer for yourself
A maternity carer is a person who helps you through your pregnancy. He/she guides you during your pregnancy till the time your child is born. Therefore as soon as you get to know that you are pregnant, it is better to select a maternity carer for yourself. The majority of the maternity carer are midwives, and they could also be family doctors or any obstetricians. Having a maternity carer can help you deal with changes related to pregnancy easily and comfortably.
Learn about labor and the process of birth
Many women today go to classes and attend sessions that are about pregnancy and parenting. Women especially those who are having their first baby also attend sessions and books about the process of giving birth. And it is also recommended by doctors to never leave such an opportunity to learn more. These opportunities help you meet other women who are pregnant, talk and learn about their experiences.
If you are looking for such a group or session to attend, you can reach out to your obstetrician as they have knowledge about these.
Have a complete health check-up
Whether you select a maternity carer for yourself, or a doctor, everyone suggests having a blood test before. The purpose of a blood test is to check about various diseases like hepatitis B, HIV, diabetes, haemoglobin level, syphilis, or any other antibody that might be harmful to the baby. It is important to have a complete health screening of your body so that you can ensure that you and your unborn baby are safe and sound.
Eat right
The most advised point by nutritionists, obstetricians, and diet consultants is to ‘eat right’. For pregnant women, during the first trimester, it is necessary for you to have whole grains, nuts, pulses, fruits, etc, in your diet. If you are a non-vegetarian then you can consume eggs, fish, etc. to improve your intake of proteins. And make sure to include all types of vitamins in your food, and iron and folic acids, as they are important for the development of the baby.
Take care of any red flag symptoms
If you face any red flag symptoms like abdominal pain or cramps, bleeding, burning or painful sensation during urination, vomiting, dizziness, then immediately reach out to your doctor. These signs could be a symptom that shows that something is wrong with your pregnancy. It’s better to straight away call your doctor instead of waiting for the regular prenatal visit to talk about these.
By the time your first trimester ends, the baby starts to move freely. You won’t feel the movement yet but it does happen. The process of circulation and the functioning of kidneys starts happening, the sucking and swallowing too. The placenta that is developed inside and attached to the baby with the umbilical cord makes sure that the baby receives enough amount of oxygen, blood, and the required nutrients to grow and survive inside your womb.
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