PREGNANCY SYPTOMS AND NUTRITION!

FIRST TRIMESTER OF 

PREGNANCY

 

THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY LASTS FOR THREE AND A HALF MONTHS OR 14 WEEKS. DURING THIS STAGES OF PREGNANCY, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE THE DREADED MORNING SICKNESS (WHICH CAN OCCUR ANYTIME DURING THE DAY AND SORE AND ENLARGED BREASTS, DURING THIS STAGE, IT IS VITAL THAT YOU GET ENOUGH VITAMINS, MINERALS AND NUTRIENTS AS THEY ARE ESSENTIAL FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO DETERMINE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU.

NUTRITION

• 2200 CALORIES/DAY.
• WELL BALANCED, HEALTHY DIET WITH ADEQUATE FIBRE PROMOTES BABY'S GROWTH AND MOTHER'S ENERGY AND COMFORT.
• TAKE PRENATAL VITAMINS, AS PRESCRIBED.
• AVOID THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND TOBOCCO.
• SMALL, MORE FREQUENT MEALS MAY HELP A NAUSEOUS WOMAN GET GOOD NUTRITION.
• MANY WOMEN CAN CONTINUE TO EXERCISE REGULARLY.
• DAILY EXERCISE THAT SUITS YOUR LEVEL OF FITNESS CAN HELP DECREASE FATIGUE AND STRESS.
• DISCUSS YOUR EXERCISE HABITS WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.
• AVOID OVERHEATING AND MAINTAIN GOOD HYDRATION DURING EXERCISE.

SYPTOMS DURING PREGNANCY

MISSED PERIOD IS ONE OF THE COMMON 

CAUSE FOR DEVELOPING PREGNANCY, BUT

 SOMETIMES THE PREGNANT WOMAN KEEPS

HAVING PERIODS, TWO OR THREE MONTHS

AFTER CONCEIVING. NAUSEA AND VOMITING

AFTER THREE WEEKS, BUT MANY TIMES, A 

CONCEIVED WOMAN DOES NOT HAVE NAUSEA OR

VOMITING. EXHAUSION, TIREDNESS AND EXCESSIVE 

GIDDINESS ARE FEW SYMPTOMS. 

MORNING SICKNESS. CHANGE OF TASTE

AND STRONG LIKINGS AND DISLIKINGS 

FOR CERTAIN FOODS. FREQUENT URGE TO 

URINATE. ENGORGED AND TENDER BREASTS.

INCREASED DISCHARGE FROM NIPPLES.

INCREASED VAGINAL DISCHARGE IN MOST 

CASES.

MISSED PERIODS

PREGNANCY TEST KITS ARE AVAILABLE OVER THE COUNTER AND ARE VERY SIMPLE TO USE. YOU COULD GET ONE AND TEST YOUR MORNING URINE SAMPLE FOR PREGNANCY. IF THE CARD SHOWS TWO LINES, YOU ARE PREGNANCY, IF ONLY ONE LINE, THEN YOU COULD HAVE MISSED YOUR PERIODS DUE TO SOME OTHER REASONSLIKE HORMONAL DISORDER, WHICH CAN BE RECTIFIED BY SIMPLE MEDICATIONS.

BABY DEVELOPMENTS

• AFTER CONCEIVING, THE FERTILIZED EGG TRAVELS DOWN THE FALLOPIAN TUBE TO GET EMBEDDED IN THE LINING OF THE WOMB IN THE 3 RD WEEK.
• BY THE 6TH WEEK, THE EMBRYO IS 1.25 CM LONG BUT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A BABY.
• IT HAS A LARGE HEAD WITH PITS FOR EYES AND A TAIL.
• BY THE 12TH WEEK, THE BABY MEASURE ABOUT 9 CM, AND WEIGHT APPROXIMATELY 9 GM APPEARING LIKE A HUMAN EMBRYO WITH ALL INTERNAL ORGANS.

REMEMBER, THE FOETUS TAKES NUTRITION FROM THE MOTHER AND DISCHARGE ITS WASTE MATERIAL INTO THE BLOOD THROUGH THE PLACENTA. ALWAYS TAKE MEDICINE AND PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR. THE PLACENTA ALSO PRODUCES HORMONES NECESSARY DURING PREGNANCY. AFTER THE BABY'S BIRTH, THE PLACENTA GETS SEPERATED FROM THE UTERINE WALL IS EXPELLED FROM THE UTERUS.

DELIVERY

NORMAL DELIVERY

 

THE CHILD IS DELIVERED IN NORMAL WAYS BUT SOMETIMES AIDED WITH A SMALL CUT AT THE VAGINAL OUTLET. THE PROCESS IS KNOWN AS EPISIOTOMY AND IS DONE TO HELP QUICKER DELIVERY WITH UNDUE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE UTERNUS AND ADJOINING PARTS OF THE BLADDER AND THE RECTUM.

SUCTION DELIVERY

A PROCESS IN WHICH SUCTION IS APPLIED TO THE LOW DESCENDING HEAD OF THE BABY TO HASTEN DELIVER. IT IS ALSO CALLED THE VACUUM METHOD OF DELIVERY QUICKLY. ANAESTHESIA IS NOT REQUIRED IN MOST OF THE CASES.

FORCEP DELIVERY

THIS IS A CASE IN WHICH THE BABY'S HEAD IS HELPED OUT WITH THE USE OF FORCEPS, E.G. A LARGE PAIR OF TONGS, WHICH GRASP THE BABY'S HEAD FOR APPLYING A DOWNWARD PULL. MILD ANAESTHESIA IS GIVEN TO THE MOTHER TO AVOID EXCESSIVE PAIN. IN CASE OF FORCAP DELIVERY, THE MEMBRANE MUST BE RUPTURED AND THE BLADDER AND THE RECTUM SHOULD BE EMPTIED.

MULTIPLE PREGNANCY

IF YOU HAVE ANY HISTORY OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS IN THE FAMILY, TELL YOUR DOCTOR TO DIAGNOSE SERIOUSLY. IT CAN BE DIAGNOSED BY THE SIZE OF THE WOMB OR PELVIC EXAMINATION OR USC SCANNING OF THE ABDOMEN.

IN CASE OF SIGNS OF A MULTIPLE PREGNANCY, VISIT YOUR DOCTOR MORE FREQUENTLY AND HAVE COMPLETE REST BETWEEN THE 30TH TO THE 37TH WEEKS, TO AVOID PREMATURE DELIVERY AND SOMETIMES POSSIBILITY AND SOMETIMES POSSIBILITY OF A CAESAREAN SECTIO. IT REQUIRES HIGHLY SKILLED PEDIATRIC CARE.

TUBAL DELIVER

IT IS A RARE COMPLICATIONS IN WHICH THE FERTILIZED OVUM OR EMBRYO BECOMES BLOCKED IN ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THE FALLOPAIN TUBE. SOMETIMES, THE EMBRYO CONTINUES TO GROW AS IT NOMRALLY WOULD WITHIN THE UTERUS.

HOWEVER, THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TUBES IS TOO SMALL TO ALLOW EXPANSION, AND THAT MAY RUPTURE CAUSING A SERIOUS HAEMORRHAGE AND INTENSE PAIN IN THE PELVIS. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR NECESSARY SURGERY AS SOON AS A TUBAL PREGNANCY IS SUSPECTED. ECTOPIC PREGNANCY CAUSES MATERNAL DEATH, PAIN, HEAVY VAGINAL BLEEDING ETC.

40 WEEKS PERIOD OF 

PREGNANCY

 

 

• THE FIRST TRIMESTER PERIOD BEGINS FROM THE 1ST TO THE 12TH WEEK.
• THE SECOND TRIMESTER STARTS FROM 13TH WEEK TILL THE 28TH WEEK.
• THE THIRD TRIMESTER BEGINS FROM THE 29TH TO THE 40TH WEEK.

THE CHILD IN WOMB BECOMES THEORETICALLY CAPABLE OF LIVING A SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL LIFE IN ABOUT THE 28TH WEEK OF PREGNANCY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE AGE OF A FOETUS OR EMBRYO, BOTH FOR CLINICAL AND MEDICAL REASONS.

END OF 4TH WEEK

 

THE EMBRYO IS MUCH CURVED, HEAD AND TAIL BEING CLOSE TOGETHER. IT MEASURES FROM 2.5 TO 4 MM. FROM THE CROWN TO RUMP. 

THE BRAIN AND THE CORD ARE ENCLOSED, EYES AND EAR VESICLES AND VISIBLE. THE HEART IS PROMINENT AND IS BEGINNING TO DIVINDE IN TO FOUR CHAMBERS.

END OF 8TH WEEK

 

THE EMBRYO IS ABOUT AN INCH (25MM), LONG IN CROWN RUMP MEASUREMENT. THE HEAD HAS A HUMAN SHAPE, WHEREAS, THE TAIL HAS NEARLY DISAPPEAR. THE HANDS AND FEET BEGIN TO APPER. EYES, NOSE AND EARS ARE RECOGZIBAL. THE EXTERNAL GENITALS ARE VISIBLE BUT THE SEX IS NOT DISTINGUISABLE. THE EMBRYO NOW BECOMES THE FOETUS.

END OF 12TH WEEK

 

THE FOETUS IS ABOUT 3-1/2 TO 4 INCHES LONG WEIGHING ABOUT 50 GM. THE INTESTINES ARE ENCLOSED IN THE ABDOMEN AND THE UMBILICAL CORD IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SPIRAL TURNS. SEX CAN BE DETERMINED BY THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF THE UTERUS. MOST OF THE BONES BEGIN TO SHOW THE CENTRE OF OSSIFICATION.

END OF 16TH WEEK

THE FOETUS IS ABOUT SIX INCHES (15CM), LONG AND WEIGHT ABOUT 190 GM. SEX IS CLEARLY DEFINED AT THIS STAGE. THE FINE DOWNY HAIR STARTS APPEARING ON THE SKIN.

END OF 20TH WEEK

THE FOETUS IS ABOUT 7 TO 8 INCHES (18 TO 20 GM), LONG WEIGHT ABOUT 450 GM. THE HEAD IS STILL RELATIVELY LARGE. THE CORD IS ABOUT 12 INCHES.

END OF 24TH WEEK

THE FOETUS IS ABOUT 9 INCHES (23CM), LONG AND WEIGHT ABOUT 930 GM. FAT BEGINS TO DEPOSIT UNDER THE SKIN. HAIR APPEARS ON THE HEAD.

END OF 28TH WEEK

THE FOETUS IS ABOUT ELEVEN INCHES (28CM), LONG WEIGHING ABOUT 1300 GM. THE EYELIDS ARE NOW OPEN AND THE PAPILARY MEMBRANE STARTS DISSAPEARING. THE BODY IS NOW COVERED WITH FINE HAIR. THE INTESTINES CONTAIN AS DARK GREEN TARRY MATTER KNOWN AS THE MECONIUM. A CHILD BORN AS THIS TIME VERY SELDOM SURVIVES.

 

END OF 32RDWEEK

THE FOETUS IS NEARLY 12 INCHES WEIGHING ABOUT 2075 GM. THE HAIR ON THE SCALP IS THICKER.

END OF 36TH WEEK

THE LENGTH OF THE FOETUS IS NEARLY 14 INCHES WEIGHING ABOUT 2500 GM. THE SUBCUTANEOUS FAT HAS INCREASED, AND THE FACE IS LESS WRINKLED WITH THE BODY MORE ROUND. A CHILD BORN AT THIS TIME HAS A VERY FAIR CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.

END OF 40TH WEEK

THE TOTAL LENGTH REACHES 20 INCHES WEIGHING ABOUT 3200 GM. THE FINGERS HAVE COMPLETE NAILS AND THE SKIN IS PINK AND SMOOTH. THE DIAMETER OF THE HEAD BECOMES NORMAL. IN THE MALE, THE TESTICLES AR EIN THE SCROTUM.

THE SYPTOMS OF PREGNANCY

 

• THE DATE OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE LAS MENTRUATION PERIOD.
• THE DURATION AND HEAVINESS IN THE MENSTRUL FLOW IN PAST.
• ANY COMPLICATION FACED IN PREVIOUS PREGNANCIES.
• THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND THEIR USUAL WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF BIRTH IN PREVIOUS CASES OF PREGNANCY.
• THE DURATION OF LACTATION (BREAT FEEDING) IN THE PAST CASES.
• THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF MARRIAGE AND THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN.
• ANY MISCARRIAGE OR TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST.
• IF UNDERGOING ANY TREATMENT AT THE PRESENT OR IN THE PAST. ALSO, IN CASE OF A PAST SURGERY, INFORM THE DOCTOR.
• THE PAST HISTORY OF HEALTH WITH DETAILS OF PROLONGED SUFFERING, SUCH AS DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, EPILEPSY OR HEART DISEASES.
• IF YOU OR Y HUSBAND OR ANY CLOSE BLOOD RELATION IS SUFFERING FROM A HEREDITARY OR VENEREAL DISEASE.
• IF EVER EXPOSED TO X-RAYS.
• IF YOU ARE ANAEMIC.
• ANY ABNORMAL CONDITION, SUCH AS FREQUENT PAIN IN THE ABDOMEN OR PELVIC REGION, BLOOD DISCHARGE, AND WHITE DISCHARGE ACCOMPANIED WITH MUCUS. BOILS OR ITCHING AROUND URINARY OPENING, PAIN DURING INTERCOURSE, IRREGULAR MENSES OR ANY OTHER CONDITIONS.

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT FOR 

PREGNANCY

• WEIGHT GAIN.
• RECORDING BLOOD PRESSURE.
• ORAL HYGIENE CHECKED REGULARLY.
• SIGNS OF ANAEMIA, SWELLING OF LEGS, FEET AND HANDS.
• INSPECTION OF HEART AND LUNGS.
• EXAMINATION OF BREASTS TO CHECK FORANY LUMPS AND ABNORMALITY OF NIPPLES.
• VAGINAL EXAMINATION. DURING THE FIRST 12 WEEKS, THE UTERUS CANNOT BE FELT BY PLACING HAND ON THE ABDOMEN. TO CONFIRM PREGNANCY, AN INTERNAL PELVIC EXAMINATION HAS TO BE PERFORMED BETWEEN THE 6TH AND THE 10THE WEEK OF PREGNANCY.

AVOID DURING 1ST 

TRIMESTER

 

• WEARING TIGHT CLOTHES.
• DRINKING EXCESSIVE TEA AND COFFEE.
• JERKY OR LONG TRAVELLING.
• OVEREXERTION.
• X-RAYS
• STRONG MEDICINES WITHOUT DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION
• SKOKING OR DRINKING
• STANDING FOR A LONG TIME OR GETTING UP SUDDENLY FROM THE SITTING POSITION.
• CONTACT WITH ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY CATS AND BIRDS, WHICH MAY LEAD TO ABSORPTION, PREMATURE DELIVER OR BIRTH OF A SICKLY BABY.
• NOT CONSULTING THE DOCTOR ON FINDING SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS BLEEDING OR EXCESSIVE DISCHARGE THROUGH VAGINA, ABDOMINAL PAIN, PAINFUL BURNING URINATION, PERSISTANT VOMITING, FREQUENT FEVER AND FEELING OF DIZZINESS. IF YOU FEEL DIZZY, SIT DOWN WITH YOUR HEAD BETWEEN YOUR TOES.

PRECAUTIONS FOR 1ST 

TRIMESTER

 

 

• A MONTHLY CHECK UP AND CONSULTATION WITH THE DOCTOR.
• HAVE FREQUENT SMALL MEALS - ABOUT 6 TO 7 TIMES A DAY.
• GET 8 TO 10 HOURS SLEEP DURING NIGHT AND MINIMUM 1 TO 2 HOURS REST DURING THE DAY.
• RESTRICT FLUID INTAKE IN THE EVENING TO AVOID FREQUENT URINATION DURING NIGHT.
• HORMONAL CHANGES LEAD TO A FEELING OF LETHARGY AND EXHAUTIONS DURING THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY. SO A COMPLETE REST IS ESSENTIAL DURING THIS PERIOD.
• CONSULT A DOCTOR IN CASE OF A BURNING SENSATION WHILE PASSING URINE.
• EAT HYGENICALLY COOKED FOOD.
• RELAX FOR FEW MINUTES WITH YOUR FEET UP DURING THE LUCH HOURS.
• TAKE ANTI-VOMITING DRUG IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DOCTOR IN CASE OF SEVERE NAUSEA AND VOMITING.

PREGNANCY CALENDER

AFTER CONCEPTION, UP TO FOUR WEEKS,

THE FOETAL LENGTH IS ABOUT 1/4 INCHES AND 

DURING THIS PERIOD THE EYES, EARS, MOUTH, 

BRAIN, SPINE, SPINAL CORD AND THE UMBILICAL

CORD START FORMING. THE HEART STARTS BEATING

 BY THE END OF 12 WEEKS, THE FOETAL GROWTH 

REACHES TO 3 INCHES LONG WHEN THE MOVEMENT

OF ARMS AND LEGS BEGINS, THE FINGERS AND THE 

TOES ARE FORMED. SEX IS DISTINGUISHABLE IN

THIS STAGE. THE FOETUS MAY BEGIN URINATING,

AND THIS STAGE IS CALLED A FOETUS.

THESE CHANGES ARE 

EXPECTED 

• NO MENSTRUATION
• HAS FULLNESS OR ACHES IN THE PELVIS.
• MAY BE NAUSEATED AND MAY VOMIT FREQUENTLY.
• FEEL TIRED.
• HAS INCREASED VAGINAL SECRETION.
• MAY FEEL WEAK AND FAINT.
• URINATE MORE FREQUENTLY.
• BREASTS ARE FULLER, NIPPLE MAY TINGLE AND AREOLA IS DARKER.
• MAY LOSE OR GAIN UP TO 2 TO 2.5 KG OF WEIGHT.
• MOODS VARY WIDELY.
• THERE IS ALWAYS FOCUS ON BODY CHANGES.
• SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP IN BOTH PARTNERS MAY CHANGE.
• MAY FEEL AMBIVALENT TOWARDS PREGNANCY - JOY AND EXCITMENT VS RESENTMENT AND PANIC.
• WELL-BEING OF THE BABY REMAINS A CONCERN IN BOTH THE PARTNERS.

HOW TO AVOID SICK ALL

 THE TIME

 

• TRY TAKING SMALL FREQUENCY MEALS SO THAT THE STOMACH IS NOT VERY FULL AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
• AVOID FOODS THAT CAUSES ACIDITY LIKE TEA, COFFEE, COLAS, SPICY AND SOUR DISHES.
• STAY UPRIGHT AFTER MEALS AND TAKE DINNER AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE BEDTIME.
• TAKE A GLASS OF MILK WITH HONEY TO HELP HEARTBURN.
• CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR TO SUGGEST ANTIACIDS REDUCE ACIDITY.

AFTER PREGNANCY 

COMFIRMED

• EVERY MONTH FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS.
• EVERY TWO WEEKS BETWEEN THE 7TH AND THE 8TH MONTH.
• EVERY WEEK DURING THE LAST MONTH.