FREE Pregnancy
Counseling

Request A Callback

Fill in your details and our team will get back to you shortly.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
x
Request A Callback

What to Do in Your First Trimester?

What is the first trimester?

First trimester is the very beginning of the pregnancy period. The period is of 12 weeks duration starting from conception till 12 weeks. This duration is calculated from the last menstrual period presuming that the ovulation occurs on the 14th days of the cycle

What actually is happening in my womb in the first trimester?

During this period the pregnancy foundation is being laid down and therefore this phase is very important. Two important components such as formation of the baby’s bodily parts and organs and placental formation to create nutrition passages between the mother and the baby are underway. (Placenta is a newly formed organ inside the womb along with the baby which supplies easy to be utilized nutrients from the mother).

Pre-pregnancy care is important:

By the time the pregnancy is diagnosed it is already clocked to 5 to 6 weeks. By this time the neural tube of the baby is already formed. The neural tube is the foundation of the brain and the spinal cord and therefore it is important that before planning pregnancies the mother takes a pre-pregnancy guidance from a doctor, corrects nutritional deficiencies, achieves ideal weight and is assessed for any illnesses.

What are the things that are needed to be prioritized by a pregnant woman during the first trimester (1-12 weeks)?

Establishment of the duration of the pregnancy and health of the mother which can be done clinically by the doctor and confirmed with surety by laboratory tests and sonography examination. Blood tests as under

1. Complete blood count for anemia :

  • Hemoglobin level / blood cells  / other indices
  • Screening for thyroid disorders, diabetes and renal abnormality
  • Urine testing for infections, proteinuria, glucose and casts
  • Blood group and Rh typing confirmation
  • Screening for transferable diseases such as hepatitis B , HIV AIDS ,syphilis ( may be repeated after 6 months)
  • Screening for genital infections

2. Sonography tests :

  • Confirmation Scan ( up to 7 weeks ) : to confirm the pregnancy is in the womb and presence of heart beat and number of babies
  • Dating Scan ( 8-10 weeks ) : especially when the mother has irregular cycles or the confirmation scan is not corresponding
  • NT Scan( 11 to 13 weeks )  : Nuchal translucency is a special test which helps to screen the baby for abnormalities such as downs syndrome or other developmental abnormalities.
  • Some additional special tests may be necessary as under:

3. Special tests :

  • Screening for rubella , toxoplasmosis , thyroid antibodies , thyroid function tests
  • Double marker test ( done along with NT with bio markers in the mothers blood to predict adverse outcomes such as baby growth restriction ,pregnancy related raised blood pressure (preeclampsia ), premature placental separation
  • Indirect Coomb’s test in Rh negative mother
  • Evaluations of diabetes and anemia
  • Screening for thalassemia or sickle cell disease which are disorders which are transmitted genetically to the baby.
  • Additional tests may be requested for additional evaluation and this can be case specific and will be individualized by your clinician such as blood tests and doppler studies.

What are the medicines that are needed to be taken and are they necessary?

Penratal supplements :Folic acid help prevents developmental abnormalities in the baby and the placenta  Pyridoxine and dicyclomines helps in preventing pregnancy nausea and vomiting nutritional supplements are given.

In addition some medications may be additionally prescribed in special situations. Vaccinations especially for flu can be taken .

Can I do exercises or are there any restrictions for physical activity ?

You can continue doing exercises that you were doing before conception but it is better to avoid strenuous and tiring exercises . Daily walks at least for 40 minutes is a good practice. One should avoid strenuous work and lifting of heavy weights and hectic travels .

What foods should be consumed ?

Home-made healthy and fresh food rich in nutrients , clean and balanced in macro nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates should be taken .Pregnancy can cause mild constipation and taking food rich in fibers is a good practice .Also folic acid , folates are abundantly found in fresh fruits and vegetables .

Must read - Quick healthy bites to snack on during pregnancy

Is it ok to feel tired and puki( nauseated) ? How can I overcome this ?

Yes the pregnancy is demanding on the mother’s body and nutritional and energy needs are increased . This can cause tiredness and feeling of nausea . Eating small meals ad healthy tit bits especially dry ones throughout the day at short intervals , drinking adequate water and medications can help overcome these symptoms .

Free Pregnancy Counselling

Back ache seems to be common ?

Yes women complaint of back ache very often during pregnancy . Many a times it is related to anxiety , other times wrong posture and sometimes weak back muscles . relaxation , positive attitude , posture correction and back strengthening exercises help. Pregnancy is a natural process of life and not an illness so one should accept it and positively approach it and remember that finally we have to deliver a healthy baby of a healthy mother .

Any important hygiene practices I need to follow ?

Bathing daily or twice in the very hot weather , wearing clean comfortable cotton clothes , frequent hand washing , brushing twice ,keeping private parts clean and avoiding crowded places are important hygiene practices.

Are there any restrictions ?

Unhealthy foods , stale food , fasting , hectic work and travel , medications over the counter without doctors permission , crowded places , infected or sick family members .

Your responsibility as a patient :

  • To completely share the details about your health, pertaining to past illnesses, surgeries and medications consumed for some illnesses such as tuberculosis, epilepsy (fits) , raised blood pressure diabetes or other medications in details.
  • It’s a good practice to properly date these details and share with your clinician for better guidance.
  • Take all the medicines on time .Pay attention to the clinical instructions and follow them diligently.
  • Inform about  any allergic conditions especially to any medicines.

Any warning signs ?

Crampy pain in the tummy , giddiness , blackouts , excessive vomiting , dehydration , high grade fever , urinary symptoms , bleeding from the vagina need doctors consultation and check up .

Must read - How to handle the 1st trimester of pregnancy

Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.

  1. Best Gynecologists in Bangalore
  2. Top Gynecologists in Chennai
  3. Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Mumbai
  4. Top Gynecologists near me in Pune
  5. Best Obstetricians & Gynecologists in Chandigarh
  6. Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists near me in Gurgaon
  7. Best Gynecologists near me in Noida

 

Want to consult the best Maternity Packages in India? Please find the links below.

  1. Best Maternity Packages in Bangalore
  2. Top Maternity Packages in Chennai
  3. Best Maternity Packages with Cost in Mumbai
  4. Best Maternity/ Delivery Packages with Charges in Pune
  5. Top Maternity Packages with Cost in Chandigarh
  6. Top Maternity/ Delivery packages with Charges in Gurgaon
  7. Best Pregnancy Packages in Noida

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.