Great! You just found out you are pregnant and you are now reeling from the wealth of information thrown your way by well-meaning family and friends. But what are the essentials that you really need to know for the first trimester at least?
Expect
Nausea, insomnia, hunger pangs, cramping, sensitivity to smells and mood swings are common during this time as your body adjusts to the raging hormones that are making your baby. Also expect exhaustion, even when you had enough sleep, and a general sense of lethargy.
Old favorite dishes may suddenly turn you off and you may suddenly get cravings for things you didn’t particularly like before. Your breasts will feel full and engorged and ache, just like PMS, only longer. If, on the other hand, you’re feeling your same self, then consider yourself lucky. And if you feel you’re retching more than you’re eating, tell your OB.
Some also get rashes or acne while hair starts falling in scary amounts for others. Some contend with more gas than they think they can single-handedly produce. Just make sure to inform your OB so he/she can tell you if there’s cause for concern.
Take
Your OB will most probably prescribe prenatal vitamins for you as well as Folic Acid. If feeling under the weather, you will also be prescribed Vitamin C. If suffering from extreme nausea, other supplements may be ordered for you to take. If you’re spotting (bleeding a little), cramping or there are signs of threatened abortion, you may be prescribed uterine relaxants and hormone supplements like Dydrogesterone. Some advise milk intake while most just remind expectant mothers to eat a healthy diet. Make sure you also get plenty of rest.
See
After a positive result, see an obstetrician as soon as possible to confirm the pregnancy via a trans-vaginal ultrasound. Until a heartbeat is detected, doctors may advice you that the fertilized egg can still turn out to be a blighted ovum. If that’s the case, hopefully, your body will naturally flush it out. Otherwise, you may need to be admitted for a D&C. A heartbeat is expected at 8 weeks. If you have other existing health concerns, like asthma and diabetes, you should go see your doctors for those concerns as well. These doctors should work closely with your OB.
Know
Knowing the date of your last menstrual period (LMP) will help doctors in computing for your baby’s gestational age and your expected due date (EDD). Knowing your family and personal history (diabetes, miscarriages, PCOS, allergies, other health problems) will also help your OB manage your pregnancy.
Avoid
Even if you’ve led a really active lifestyle before, now is the time to take extra caution. Definitely avoid lifting heavy stuff (including older kids) and postpone gastronomic adventures since pregnancy can make you very sensitive. Avoid fumes (say, from paint), chemicals (say, intensive cleaning products) and other toxic substances.
As much as you can, start avoiding sweets and salty food. Not developing gestational diabetes should be incentive enough. Postpone hair and skin treatments as well, not just for the possibility of your baby being harmed by the chemicals, but because your hormones might affect the results of such beauty treatments in ways you won’t like. Sexual contact and massages may also be discouraged if there’s spotting.
Stop
Altogether stop drinking and smoking and using drugs.
Don’t Expect
Unless you gain weight in dramatic proportions during this time, don’t expect your stomach to bulge or stretch marks to appear just yet. That will come in time. You also won’t know the sex of the baby till around the 5th month.
Enjoy
First dibs on food in parties go to you if the people around you know you’re pregnant. The same is true for chairs, for rest room turns, for the most comfortable (or coolest) nook in the room. During this time, you can still enjoy squatting, sleeping on your stomach (or back), being able to bend and move and walk long walks. Take pleasure in still being able to wear heels and not waddling like a duck when you walk and still being able to fit in your clothes. Relish these moments for it may take a year before you get to these points again.
Continue
Put on bed rest? Stay connected with friends via the internet. Stay on top of things at work by having a list and sticking to a routine. Continue exercising with your OB’s go signal as well as having a social life. Go on dates. Wear sexy outfits (you’d have a better cleavage to showcase, after all).
Subscribe to newsletters that will give you a blow-by-blow account of what to expect each week of your pregnancy or start reading pregnancy books and magazines. Ask friends for advice and tips and organize these in a system you will understand and use. But most of all, bask in the glory given to those expecting and just relax. Having to push is many months away anyway.
Congratulations!
