This Is What You Need To Do In The First Month Of Pregnancy !

Your home pregnancy kit has shown a positive result. You have been experiencing nausea for some days now. A visit to the gynaecologist confirms your suspicions (in this case not your worst fears!). Once the news is confirmed, it is followed by a feeling of euphoria and joy that you share with your partner. After the initial euphoria dies down, the couple need to sit down to plan for a long journey ahead, a journey that is around nine months in duration. A journey like never before with its fair share of ups and downs, at the end of which they hold their little bundle of joy. They need to toughen up mentally as life will never be the same again!
CALCULATION OF THE DUE DATE:
The first thing an expecting couple desires to know is the due date. A normal pregnancy lasts 9 months or 40 weeks in medical parlance. It is generally divided into three trimesters, each of 3 months duration. The due date is calculated from the beginning of the first day of the last menstrual cycle. You will be surprised to know that a woman is actually considered pregnant in thetwo weeks preceding actual conception.
Conception does not happen until about two weeks after your period ends. This calculation is so done because most women find it very difficult to tell the doctor the time and date when the actual act of conception took place. It is far easier for most to remember the first day of their last menstrual cycle. This results in a calculation of 40 weeks for a normal full term pregnancy though in reality it is only for 38 weeks.
WEEK 1 AND 2 OF YOUR FIRST MONTH:
In the first week, you are actually not pregnant. The egg leaves the ovary and travels to the fallopian tube. One it has reached the fallopian tubes, it waits for 24 hours for a sperm from your partner to fertilize it. If fertilization does not occur, it breaks down and you get your periods after14 days. This is how the menstrual cycle occurs.
In case the egg is fertilized, it then travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus. This does not happen in an instant. It can take 1 to 2 days. Once the fertilized egg reaches the uterus, it implants itself onto the wall of the uterus. This implantation can cause spotting in some women.
In the first and second week physical changes in the mother to be are not visible. But a number of internal changes take place as the body prepares itself for a new body and new life inside. A number of internal changes are taking place which you may not be able to explain. Mood swings are experienced, the woman feels tired and fatigued and feel nauseous. Gas and constipation are also common. Her breasts may become tender and she may feel the urge to urinate very frequently. These are a result of the hormonal changes that her body is undergoing.
In the initial days after fertilization, the fertilized egg is known as a blastocyst. It comprises of 200 to 300 cells as it has undergone rapid cell division. 5-6 days after fertilization it begins to embed itself into the uterine wall where it will undergo the further processes. The blastocyst is made up of two parts:
- Placenta: It is the external part. It is the life line of the baby transporting vital nutrients from the mother to the baby and throwing out the baby’s wastes.
- Embryo: This will develop into the baby. It develops from the zygote, the single cell resulting from the fertilization of the female egg cell and male sperm cell. It has 46 chromosomes and contains all thegenetic information about the baby including its sex.
WEEK 3:
It is possible that you might start feeling some of the sensations of early pregnancy. Duringpregnancyhormones are secreted which increase the blood supply to the breasts. This results in a prickling and tingling sensation in the nipples. Many become extra sensitive to certain smells and tastes while many develop a craving for certain kinds of food.The amount of vaginal discharge also increases at around this time. Thehormones that are being secreted make you feel very tired and irritable. The body is not used to supporting another life. This results in exhaustion.
WEEK 4:
This is the best time to confirm your pregnancy if you still have a doubt. You will miss your menstrual cycle. Nausea would have begun to plague you. A home pregnancy kit and a visit to the gynaecologist will put all your doubts to rest. You are now completely sure that you are pregnant. Now is the best time to bring about changes in your life style so that the rest of the journey is a smooth and happy one for both of you. Without realising it you have already completed the first month of your first trimester!
The first trimester is the most critical period in the development of the baby. There is a high risk of abnormalities to the foetuses at this stage as their brain, heart, head, spinal cord, bones, muscles etc. are still undergoing development. Bad habits should be given up immediately.
SYMPTOMS AT 4 WEEKS:
Your body produces the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It leads to feelings of anxiety, dizziness, vomiting, fainting, exhaustion and even mood swings. Breasts become increasingly tender and sore. The sense of smell becomes very sharp. At this point pregnancy can almost sound like a burden, but pull on as this shall also pass.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BABY AT THE END OF 4 WEEKS:
The baby is called an embryo. His vascular network has grown and it helps to transport blood,oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby by means of the umbilical cord. The baby is 0.4mm long now. It’s big! It’s the size of an apple seed!The first month is over and you now understand what is happening to you and your baby growing inside. A healthy baby is the dream of all parents. Let’s now have a look at the precautions that need to be taken for a safe and stress free pregnancy and delivery.
PRECAUTIONS AND CARE TO BE TAKEN BEFORE PREGNANCY AND IN THE FIRST MONTH OF PREGNANCY:
APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR:
If you think you are pregnant, first book an appointment with your gynaecologist to confirm the same. Herguidance over the coming nine months will be of utmost importance.
LIFE STYLE CHANGES:
Get complete information on life style changes that you will need to make to welcome a healthy baby into this world.
FOLIC ACID:
As soon as the planning for a baby begins, you should start taking 0.4 milligrams of folic acid daily. The consumption should begin months before conception when the idea of having a bay starts taking shape in your head. Folic acid has been shown to drastically reduce neural tube defects like spina bifida. Drinkingorange juice is a good source of folic acid. Vitamin D supplement should also begin.
OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS
If you have been taking over the counter medication stop immediately. Please check with your doctor before taking any medication. It can have an adverse effect on the health of the unborn baby.
QUIT SMOKING!
Smoking during pregnancy can increase the chances of a miscarriage, premature birth and lowbirth weightin babies. Research has also shown that the nicotine present in cigarettes restricts the blood flow to the placenta. This reduces oxygen supply to the baby. Smoking can also reduce fertility in women. Long and sustained nicotine use can have a negative impact on ovulation, transportation of the egg through the fallopian tubes and even egg implantation. Even conception becomes a problem. Smoking by your partner can reduce the sperm count and also affect the motility of the sperm.
CUT OUT ALCOHOL:
No one knows the safe limit for alcohol consumption during pregnancy so it is advisable to cut it out completely. During the first 12 weeks or the first trimester there is a higher risk of miscarriage if you consume alcohol. So it is best to cut it out completely.
CAFFEINE USAGE:
For all of you who cannot do with your daily dose of caffeine, a cup of coffee can still be enjoyed. But anything more than 200 mg per day can again increase the chances of miscarriage.
BALANCED DIET:
There is no substitute, for a healthy and balanced diet. It’s a myth that a pregnant woman has to eat for two. All that the body needs is an additional 300 calories but the quality of these additional calories is of utmost importance. Your diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy products. It also advisable to avoid certain foods during pregnancy as they might harm the baby growing inside. They may contain harmful toxins and bacteria. These mainly include unpasteurised dairy products, raw shellfish, some cheeses, raw or undercooked eggs, liver and pate. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before eating. It is very important to cut down on the intake of salt and butter.
REST:
The first month of the first trimester will leave you feeling very tired as the body adjusts to the growing life inside. Try to get as much sleep as you can though it is easier said than done. Even if sleep is difficult to come by, just lie down and relax. Once the baby arrives, sleep will become a lost entity!
MORNING SICKNESS:
Many mothers-to-be suffer from morning sickness during the first trimester. Eating little and often will provide some relief. Eating a little of plain biscuits, crackers or breadsticks may go a long way in easing these symptoms. If the vomiting becomes too severe and too often, please contact the doctor immediately. It might be extreme morning sickness also known as
HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARIUM.
INITIAL PRENATAL TESTS:
A battery of tests is performed on pregnant women these days to check for gonorrhea, hepatitis B, cystic fibrosis, Rh factor and HIV. A urine culture is also done and a pap smear is also preformed. Any concerns that come up should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor. Have a free, frank and open discussion with yourdoctor.
GENETIC COUNSELLING:
A genetic counsellor is one who gives advice regarding the possibility of genetic disorders or birth defects in the yet unborn baby. It is always better to consult one if you are over 35 years of age, or if there is a family history of heritable disorders.
The aim behind arming you with this information and knowledge is not to cause alarm but to equip you better for the nine month long journey ahead. Once you are aware of what is happening inside you and also know the precautions and care to be taken, it can become a happy journey instead of an ordeal to be dreaded at each step!
This Is What You Need To Do In The First Month Of Pregnancy !
Reviewed by Admin
on
5:21:00 PM
Rating:
