What to do in pregnancy first month
The First Trimester of Pregnancy
The First Trimester of PregnancyMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Jacquelyn Cafasso on November 8, 2017
What is the first trimester?
A pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters. The first trimester is the time in between fertilization of the egg by the sperm (conception) and week 12 of a pregnancy.
A woman’s body goes through many changes during the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. Women often start to have concerns over:
- what to eat
- which types of prenatal tests they should consider
- how much weight they might gain
- how they can make sure their baby stays healthy
Understanding a pregnancy week by week can help you make informed decisions and prepare for the big changes that lie ahead.
What happens to a woman’s body during the first trimester?
In the first trimester, a woman’s body goes through many changes. The body releases hormones that affect almost every single organ in the body. The first sign you may be pregnant is missing a period. As the first few weeks pass, some women experience the following:
- tiredness
- upset stomach
- throwing up
- mood swings
- tender breasts
- heartburn
- weight gain
- headaches
- cravings for certain foods
- revulsion to certain foods
- constipation
You may need to rest more or eat smaller meals during this time. Some women, however, don’t feel any of these symptoms at all.
What happens to the fetus during the first trimester?
The first day of your pregnancy is also the first day of your last menstrual period. At about 10 to 14 days after, an egg is released, combines with a sperm, and conception occurs. A baby develops rapidly during the first trimester. The fetus begins to develop a brain and spinal cord, and the organs begin to form. The baby’s heart will also begin to beat during the first trimester.
Arms and legs begin to bud in the first few weeks, and by the end of eight weeks, fingers and toes start to form. By the end of the first trimester, the baby’s sex organs have formed. According to the Office on Women’s Health, the baby is now about 3 inches long and weighs almost 1 ounce.
What can be expected at the doctor?
When you first learn you are pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor to begin caring for the developing baby. If you are not already on prenatal vitamins, start them immediately. Ideally, women take folic acid (in prenatal vitamins) for a year before the pregnancy. Women normally see their doctor once a month during the first trimester.
During your first visit, a doctor will take a full health history and perform a full physical and pelvic exam. The doctor may also:
- perform an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy
- perform a Pap test
- take your blood pressure
- test for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and hepatitis
- estimate your date of delivery or “due date,” which is around 266 days from the first day of your last period
- screen for risk factors like anemia
- check thyroid levels
- check your weight
At around 11 weeks, the doctor will perform a test called a nuchal translucency (NT) scan. The test uses an ultrasound to measure the baby’s head and thickness of the baby’s neck. The measurements can help determine the chance that your baby will be born with a genetic disorder known as Down syndrome.
Ask your doctor whether or not genetic screening is recommended for your pregnancy. Genetic screening is a test used to find out your baby’s risk for specific genetic diseases.
How can I stay healthy during the first trimester?
It’s important for a woman to be aware of what to do and what to avoid while pregnant in order to take care of themselves and their developing baby.
What to do
Here are good personal health measures to take during the first trimester:
- Take prenatal vitamins.
- Exercise regularly.
- Work out your pelvic floor by doing Kegel exercises.
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, low-fat forms of protein, and fiber.
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat enough calories (about 300 calories more than normal).
What to avoid
These things should be avoided during the first trimester:
- strenuous exercise or strength training that could cause an injury to your stomach
- alcohol
- caffeine (no more than one cup of coffee or tea per day)
- smoking
- illegal drugs
- raw fish or smoked seafood (no sushi)
- shark, swordfish, mackerel, or white snapper fish (they have high levels of mercury)
- raw sprouts
- cat litter, which can carry a parasitic disease called toxoplasmosis
- unpasteurized milk or other dairy products
- deli meats or hot dogs
What else should be considered during the first trimester?
Body changes provide plenty to think about during the first trimester, but having a baby will affect other parts of your life too. There are many things to start to think about during the first few months of your pregnancy so you can prepare for the future.
When to tell your friends, family, and employer
The first trimester is the most common time for a loss of pregnancy (miscarriage), so you may want to wait for the pregnancy to settle into the second trimester.
You may also want to consider whether or not you will keep working or quit your job as your pregnancy progresses, and if your employer provides unpaid maternity leave for the birth and care of your newborn.
Where you want to give birth
You may want to start to consider where you would like to deliver your baby when it’s time to give birth. Women can choose to deliver at a hospital, birth center, or at their own home. You should weigh the pros and cons of each location and discuss them with your doctor.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) believes that hospitals and birthing centers are the safest place to deliver a baby. If there is an emergency, a hospital is fully equipped to handle the situation.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy
High-risk pregnancy means that there is a greater chance of complications. Factors that may make your pregnancy high-risk include:
- being young
- being over 35 years old
- being overweight
- being underweight
- having high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, cancer or other autoimmune disorders
- being pregnant with twins or multiples
Women with a high-risk pregnancy may need to visit the doctor more often and sometimes may need a specially trained doctor. Having a high-risk pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean you will have any problems.
Paying for care
Many women worry about the costs of medical bills during a pregnancy. The good news is that there are options available in every state in the United States to help pay for care. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you should make an appointment to see your health care provider, a midwife or a physician (in some medical practices, both are in the same office). Health insurance options have changed over time, and most offer pregnant women more options. Insurance companies are learning it is important to provide prenatal care to prevent more expensive medical care later. Local hospitals, clinics, and other government programs are available to help with:
- food
- nutrition
- counseling
- free access to health services for pregnant women
Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2017
- Parenthood
- Pregnancy
- 1st Trimester
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Committee opinion: Planned home birth. (2017).
acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Planned-Home-Birth - First trimester: Symptoms and screening. (n.d.).
northshore.org/obstetrics-gynecology/pregnancy/first-trimester/ - Folic acid. (2017).
marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/folic-acid.aspx - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Pregnancy week by week: Healthy pregnancy.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/pregnancy-week-by-week/basics/first-trimester/hlv-20049471 - Prenatal care and tests. (2017).
womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/prenatal-care-tests.html - Stages of pregnancy. (2017).
womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/stages-of-pregnancy.html
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Nov 9, 2017
Edited By
Christina Nagatani
Medically Reviewed By
Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Jacquelyn Cafasso on November 8, 2017
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First trimester: your essential pregnancy to-do list
Now you're pregnant, you may be feeling overwhelmed with the big changes that pregnancy and having a baby will bring. From eating a balanced diet to taking regular exercise, our tips for the first trimester will help you cope with the physical and mental demands at the start of your pregnancy. Our handy checklist will guide you through your first trimester and pave the way for a happy, healthy pregnancy.
When is the first trimester?
The first trimester starts from the very beginning of your pregnancy and lasts until you’re 13 weeks plus six days pregnant.
Learn more about the weeks, months and trimesters of your pregnancy.
1. Arrange your first appointment with your midwife
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, let your GP know so that you can book your first appointment with a midwife.
The timing of your first official antenatal appointment, called your booking appointment, depends on where you live. You should have your booking appointment by the time you're 10 weeks pregnant, but it may happen any time between eight weeks and 12 weeks.
Your booking appointment usually takes one to two hours and could take place at your home, a hospital, a children's centre or your GP’s surgery. Your midwife needs to get a clear idea of your health, your partner's health and both of your families' medical history. So be prepared for plenty of questions!
Find out what will happen during your booking appointment.
2. Take a supplement
Start taking a daily folic acid supplement straight away. Folic acid is an essential nutrient that protects your baby against brain and spinal cord problems such as spina bifida.
You need a 400 microgram (mcg) supplement of folic acid (vitamin B9). You can buy these over the counter from pharmacies or supermarkets.
It's also recommended that you take a supplement containing 10mcg of vitamin D every day. You can also take a pregnancy multivitamin if you like, but eating a balanced diet should help you get all the vitamins and minerals you need.
3. Check before taking medicines
You need to be careful about taking medicines, even over-the-counter ones. They may be harmful to your unborn baby. Talk to your GP or midwife about any prescription medicines you’re taking and ask your pharmacist for advice when buying over-the-counter remedies.
4. If you smoke, it’s time to quit
Smoking during pregnancy puts you at higher risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and premature labour. The smoke you inhale can also affect how your unborn baby grows, resulting in a low birth weight.
It’s never too late to give up, and if you need help, talk to your midwife or doctor. They’ll be able to put you in touch with your local stop-smoking support scheme. You can also call the confidential NHS Smokefree advice line on 0300 123 1044 or visit their website.
We don’t yet know much about the effects of using e-cigarettes while pregnant, but it’s safest not to use one as the vapour usually contains nicotine and other toxins. If you’re using an e-cigarette to help you quit smoking, speak to your midwife about alternatives.
Go to our quit smoking section for information and support about quitting.
5. Cut out alcohol
There is no way to know for sure how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy. That’s why experts advise you to not drink any alcohol at all while you’re expecting.
6. Cut down on caffeine
You can still enjoy a cup of coffee during your pregnancy. But you should limit yourself to 200mg of caffeine a day, which is two cups of instant coffee or one cup of brewed coffee.
If you regularly have more than 200mg of caffeine a day during your pregnancy, it could increase your risk of miscarriage.
This 200mg limit includes all sources of caffeine, so as well as coffee you’ll need to include teas (including green tea), cola, energy drinks and chocolate.
7. Learn what to eat and what not to eat
A healthy, balanced diet will make sure that you get all the nutrients you and your developing baby need. Check out our pregnancy diet and get yourself into good eating habits now.
It may surprise you to know that you don’t need extra calories in your first trimester or second trimester. But you will need to avoid certain foods in pregnancy, because they may contain bacteria, parasites or toxins that could harm your baby. This includes some cheeses and unpasteurised dairy products, raw or undercooked meat, liver and pate, and raw shellfish.
You can eat raw eggs or lightly cooked eggs, as long as they have the red British Lion Quality mark.
8. Get relief from pregnancy sickness
Many mums-to-be suffer from sickness during their first trimester. To ease your nausea, eat little and often. Try to work out which foods suit you and which ones make you feel queasy.
Snacking on plain biscuits, crackers or breadsticks may help. Your sickness should ease between 16 weeks and 20 weeks.
If you are vomiting many times a day and are unable to keep anything down, contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. You may have severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
9. Learn the danger signs
There are some pregnancy symptoms that you should never ignore. As your womb grows you may feel mild cramps in your tummy and the odd twinge. Always check with your midwife if you’re experiencing cramps, just in case.
If you have cramps with bleeding, call your GP, midwife or your hospital’s early pregnancy unit (EPU) immediately.
10. Get as much rest as you can
It’s common to feel tired or even exhausted during your first trimester. This is because your body is getting used to rapidly changing hormone levels. Take it easy and put your feet up when you get the chance, although this can be hard if you’re working.
Try to get to bed at a reasonable time every night and get up at roughly the same time every morning. This will help your body understand when it’s time to sleep. If you’re not sleepy, unwind on the sofa with a book or soft music. Turn off your phone and forget about work. Once your baby arrives, a little R&R will be hard to come by, so enjoy it while you can.
It's also a good idea to get used to sleeping on your side now. As your bump grows, lying on your stomach won’t be comfortable, and lying on your back can affect the blood supply to your baby. In fact, by the third trimester, sleeping on your side reduces the risk of stillbirth compared to sleeping on your back. So it’s well worth getting into the habit now.
11. Get ready to see your baby
If you don’t have any complications with your pregnancy, your first ultrasound scan will be your dating scan. This scan takes place between 10 weeks and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The sonographer will check your baby’s heartbeat and tell you when your baby is due. The scan usually lasts around 20 minutes, but may take longer if you have to wait for your baby to wriggle into a better position.
12. Decide when to announce your pregnancy
Some women spill the beans to friends, family and colleagues right away. Others wait until they’re in their second trimester, when the bump is much harder to hide!
If you’re experiencing complications, or if your job is strenuous or potentially dangerous, you may need to reveal your pregnancy sooner.
13. Exercise
Regular exercise can help you to cope with the physical and mental demands of being pregnant. As long as you feel comfortable, there’s no reason why you can’t continue your usual exercise habits while pregnant. You’ll also find it easier to manage your weight gain if you stay active.
Read more about how exercise can help you during pregnancy and learn which exercises are best for you to do.
14. Do chores safely
Be cautious when using household chemicals and cleaning products. Wear gloves and avoid direct contact with products that have strong fumes and warning labels. When you’re cleaning, keep your windows open and try not to use products in aerosol cans.
Think about whether your job will affect your pregnancy, especially if you work with X-rays or chemicals.
15. Start doing your pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic floor exercises can help to protect you from leaking wee while you’re pregnant and after your baby’s born. Strong pelvic floor muscles can make for a more satisfying love life too, by making orgasms during sex more likely!
If you haven’t been shown how to do pelvic floor exercises during your antenatal appointments, ask your midwife about them at your next visit.
16. Book your antenatal classes
Try to book your antenatal classes early. Some courses get booked up very quickly because of high demand. It’s worth finding out early in your pregnancy what is available in your local area and how soon you need to book.
You can also sign up any time for BabyCentre’s online classes, which are free, flexible and friendly.
17. Let your partner get involved
Most mums-to-be experience symptoms early on in their pregnancies. This daily physical reminder of pregnancy helps you to bond with your baby from the start. It’s not so straightforward for dads. Send your partner this guide to sharing in your pregnancy. Understanding what’s happening to you and your body will help him bond with your baby too.
18. Buy a maternity bra
Your full, tender breasts can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. If your pre-pregnancy bras are making your breasts uncomfortable, think about getting fitted for a couple of good, supportive maternity bras.
19. Have sex if you’re in the mood
In your first trimester, you may feel too tired, sick or stressed to have sex. But if you’ve not had any complications, there’s no reason why you and your partner can’t enjoy sex throughout your pregnancy. Our sex positions for each trimester may help to get things started!
20. Have a massage
If you’re suffering from pregnancy headaches or backache, or just need help relaxing, treat yourself to a pregnancy massage. Or ask your partner to slowly rub your back, shoulders and head, relieving any tension.
21. Budget for your baby
Think about how you’ll handle the cost of having a baby. Expensive items such as cots and pushchairs can all add up. Check out these ideas to save money or increase your income and investigate buying second-hand to cut costs.
22. Follow your baby’s development
Sign up for BabyCentre’s free newsletters and download our free app to find out how your baby is developing, week by week.
Take a look at your essential to-do list: second trimester.
1st trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus
1st trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus - Private maternity hospital Ekaterininskaya Clinics1st trimester: 1st-12th weeks
The gestational age is calculated from the first day of the last menstruation, since it is difficult to determine the exact day of conception. Since conception usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, you are not actually pregnant during the first two weeks, but this period is counted as the beginning of pregnancy.
As soon as the fertilization of the egg takes place around the 3rd week, the hormones begin to produce changes in your body little by little. As a result, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Morning sickness. As a result of rising levels of hormones characteristic of pregnancy, up to 80% of women in the 1st trimester experience morning sickness with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The idea that such malaise is observed only in the morning is a common misconception. In fact, symptoms can appear at any time of the day or night. Up to 1 in 5 women experience morning sickness in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and can sometimes persist throughout pregnancy.
If you experience morning sickness, avoid foods that make you sick, eat little and often, avoid fatty and spicy foods, drink more water. If you experience severe symptoms or symptoms that bother you, see your doctor.
- Breast changes. The mammary glands will begin to increase in size, soreness may appear. The nipples will increase in size, become darker and more protruding.
- Fatigue. High levels of the hormone progesterone can make you feel tired and sleepy. Rest as often as possible in a horizontal position with your legs up and eat as well as possible, which is not easy if you are experiencing morning sickness!
- Increased emotionality. A higher level of emotionality, manifested as a result of an increase in hormone levels, is normal. Understanding and patience on the part of your partner and loved ones is very important here.
- Food likes and dislikes. You may find yourself intolerant of one food and addicted to another. This is usually not a problem, unless you feel like eating weird foods like chalk. If you are concerned about the situation, contact your doctor.
- Frequent urination. As your fluid levels increase and your uterus puts pressure on your bladder, you will become more likely to visit the toilet. Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need - this minimizes the pressure on the bladder.
- Feeling of dizziness. Sometimes you may feel a little dizzy (this is due to hormonal changes). Try not to stay on your feet for a long time and slowly rise from a sitting or lying position. If you experience severe dizziness, contact your doctor immediately.
- Heartburn and constipation. Your digestive system will slow down to give you more time to digest your food. This can lead to heartburn and constipation. To help manage heartburn, try to eat small meals at regular intervals and avoid fried or spicy foods and carbonated drinks. Constipation is helped by eating a diet rich in fiber, maintaining physical activity and drinking plenty of water.
1st trimester milestones
- Approximately 7 days after fertilization, the embryo implants in the uterine wall. The placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic sac will begin to form to provide nourishment and protection to the embryo.
- By the end of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is palpable through the wall of the abdomen, the abdomen will begin to grow.
Child development in the 1st trimester of pregnancy
By the end of the 1st trimester:
- All the main organs of the baby are formed, the circulatory system works.
- The development of the sexual organs has begun.
- Fingers are formed on the hands and feet, nails have appeared.
- Facial features have formed.
- The length of the baby's body is about 6 cm from the head to the lower part of the body, he is already recognizable. The baby moves in the amniotic sac, but you don't feel it move yet.
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Early pregnancy | Shchelkovsky perinatal center
Pregnancy is a wonderful period! However, the changes taking place in the body at this time can greatly frighten you. The phenomena characteristic of pregnancy are different for all women, and will not necessarily be repeated during each subsequent gestation. Let's analyze the most common symptoms, their causes and possible methods of correction.
1. Frequent urination.
Frequent, painless (!) urge to urinate is one of the signs of pregnancy. This is due to increased secretion of progesterone (pregnancy hormone), changes in metabolism and pressure from the growing uterus on the bladder.
You should definitely see a doctor if:
- urination is painful (this may be a sign of an infection)
- urine of strange color (stained with blood, brown)
- the amount of urine excreted per day is much less than the liquid drunk per day
Life hack! Under no circumstances should fluid intake be restricted! To alleviate the condition and reduce the frequent urge to urinate, it is necessary to exclude products that have a diuretic effect: tea, coffee, zucchini, watermelon; as well as salty, spicy and fried foods. It is better to drink water or juice. Wear comfortable cotton underwear that does not squeeze the lower abdomen.
2. Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, increased susceptibility to odors.
Nausea is one of the common symptoms of early pregnancy. The range of issues related to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is quite wide. From "it's good, I don't even feel sick" (with relief), "I don't feel sick, what's wrong with me?" (with anxiety) to "when will this nausea pass" (with hope). Indeed, these symptoms are not at all a mandatory accompaniment of gestation, they can manifest at 7-8 weeks and last up to 12-14 weeks. The duration of this condition can sometimes be delayed, but rarely persists throughout pregnancy.
Life hack! For nausea, eat before feeling hungry. Solid, non-hot food and drinks at a cool temperature are best. With heartburn, you should eat small portions of food and often, and most importantly, sit, stand or walk for at least 30 minutes after eating, but do not lie down.
You should definitely consult a doctor if:
- vomiting occurs even after drinking water
- vomiting is exhausting, accompanied by dizziness, weakness
- dryness, jaundice and flaking of the skin appear
- Nausea and vomiting interfere with proper nutrition, accompanied by weight loss
To reduce nausea and vomiting in the morning, try eating something before you get out of bed. It can be a cracker, a cookie, a piece of hard cheese. And salty food is preferable to sweet. You can have a snack in the same way at night when you get up to go to the toilet. Do not lie down immediately after eating, this will only increase nausea. Vitamins for pregnant women with nausea should be taken in the evening after meals. Cool water with lemon, ginger, mint tea, or ginger or mint candies can alleviate the condition. It is necessary to exclude those foods, drinks and smells that are unpleasant to you. Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth often can also reduce nausea.
3. Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen, constipation, pain in the lumbar region.
The simplest and most easily controlled cause of pain is delayed and incomplete bowel movements. An increase in the concentration of progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles, which are located not only in the uterus, but also in other hollow organs. In this case, the correction of the diet and the restoration of the passage of feces will help. If the measures are ineffective, the doctor may prescribe safe drugs for you. A special type of pain that occurs during exclusivity in pregnant women is pain in the round ligament of the uterus. This acute, rather intense pain occurs, as a rule, on the one hand with a sharp change in body position (for example, when getting up from a chair or leaving a car). This pain occurs due to stretching, and then a sharp contraction, like a spring, of the round uterine ligaments. The pain quickly passes if you immediately take a comfortable position and does not require special treatment.
You should definitely consult a doctor if:
- the pain is accompanied by spotting bloody discharge from the external genitalia
- increasing duration and intensity of pain
- abdominal pain accompanied by dizziness, fever, loss of consciousness
Life hack! To normalize bowel movements, eat more vegetables and fruits, drink water and move more during the day. Try to eat often and in small portions.
4. Enlargement and soreness of the mammary glands.
Hormonal restructuring of the body during gestation is accompanied, among other things, by an increase in the size of the mammary glands and an increase in their sensitivity. By the end of the first trimester, the soreness usually disappears, no additional methods of treatment are needed.
Life hack! Choose comfortable supportive underwear (it should not leave marks on the skin at the end of the day). You may need a larger size or a sports bra. Pain in the mammary glands is relieved by a warm shower at the end of the day.
You should definitely see a doctor if:
- the pain is severe
- mammary glands are very dense with redness and body temperature is increased
- discharge from the nipples appears (purulent, bloody)
5. Increased body temperature.
In early pregnancy, an increase in body temperature to 37.5 ° C is not necessary, but is possible due to the peculiarities of the action of progesterone. Because of this, it is difficult for pregnant women to endure stuffy, hot rooms. Self-medication is dangerous: an attempt to bring down the temperature even with a seemingly harmless folk method - tea with raspberries - can mask the true cause of hyperthermia and delay the diagnosis. Due to the increased body temperature, pregnant women should dress in layers and avoid stuffy and hot rooms and spaces so that they can always “adjust” their temperature on their own.
- temperature above 37.5 °C
- along with fever, any pain occurs
- runny nose, cough, body aches appear
6. Nasal congestion, shortness of breath, nosebleeds.
These symptoms can be explained by the individual reaction of the vascular system to the increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy. Another possible reason is dry air in the room, the operation of central heating batteries.
Life hack! The easiest way to deal with nasal congestion is to use a humidifier. If you don't have one, you can put a damp towel on the battery - less effective, but better than nothing. It is possible to use sprays with sea salt, but you need to carefully read the instructions and especially the "Indications" section, it should contain information about the safety of the product during pregnancy.
You should definitely see a doctor if:
- symptoms of a cold occur
- nasal congestion accompanied by ear congestion
- These symptoms appeared after exposure to the allergen known to you
7. Blood pressure fluctuations.
An ideal option for the course of any pregnancy is the stability of the blood pressure throughout the gestation. However, this is extremely rare. A small (up to 10 units) increase in pressure from the usual reference may be due to an increase in the load on the cardiovascular system as a result of changes in body weight, hormonal changes, and uterine pressure on the vessels. Normal pressure: systolic below 130 mm Hg, diastolic no more than 85 mm Hg. Blood pressure in the range of 130-139/ 85–89 mm Hg considered high to be normal. High numbers are often observed in patients of older reproductive age, suffering from diabetes mellitus and kidney disease, obesity, etc. However, it is imperative to tell the doctor about all these concomitant pathological conditions at the first appointment and, if necessary, consult a neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist and other related specialists . Reasonable physical activity, adherence to sleep and wakefulness, a balanced diet, and the rejection of coffee and strong tea allow you to keep pressure within limits. Of the completely exotic for our days, but no less significant - the prevention of stress.
Life hack! If you first discovered that you have high normal pressure, repeat the measurement after 15 minutes. If the pressure remains elevated, see a doctor.
Be sure to see a doctor if: NB! You should also pay attention to lowering blood pressure. Numbers less than 90/60 mmHg - an excuse to see a doctor. Life hack! Keep a blood pressure diary, especially if you are prone to hypertension. Show your diary to your doctor at every appointment. 8. Heaviness and pain in the legs. Heaviness and pain in the legs, especially in the evening, are frequent companions of pregnancy. There is an explanation for the occurrence of symptoms: an increase in load due to growing weight and a shift in the center of gravity of the body. Life hack! Ask your partner/husband to give you a foot massage, relax with your limbs elevated (not too much!) A therapeutic pedicure, dousing the legs with cool water, a contrast shower, a cream or gel for legs with cooling components (menthol, essential oils), as well as compression stockings or stockings of the lightest degree of compression will help. You should always see a doctor if: 9. Skin changes. During pregnancy, you may notice dark spots on your skin. Especially often such darkening (hyperpigmentation) is observed in the nipple area, along the white line of the abdomen. Stretch marks (stretch marks) may appear on the skin of the abdomen and thighs. These are normal signs and do not require any treatment. In most cases, skin color will return to normal after breastfeeding ends, and stretch marks will shrink and fade. Itching can be associated with stretching of the skin, especially in the abdomen and mammary glands. This symptom occurs infrequently and is usually successfully stopped by the use of special products to moisturize and soften the skin. By the way, these same remedies usually help in the fight against stretch marks. Life hack! Oils and moisturizing creams to increase skin elasticity, contrast showers, massage with a hard brush will help reduce the likelihood of skin changes. You should definitely consult a doctor if: 10. Bleeding gums. Changes in the characteristics of blood circulation in the body of a pregnant woman can cause bleeding gums. The appearance of minor blood impurities during brushing your teeth, when eating solid foods (for example, an apple) is acceptable. However, the key provision is "insignificant". If you find it difficult to assess your own condition, consult a specialist. You should definitely consult a doctor if: 11. Fatigue, mood instability. Tearfulness, lack of strength, forgetfulness, distraction, the whole palette of feelings "here and now"... The list can be continued, and there is only one explanation for this - pregnancy. The most common early symptom is severe fatigue. There is no universal recipe, just as there is no single picture of these states. The main recommendation for all pregnant women is to rest often, relax and even sleep during the day. Most importantly, you need to remember: pregnancy is not a disease, but a great time to prepare for motherhood.