first trimester - surviving these early months
So, you've gotten over the elation of being pregnant. Now, despite the joy of having a little one growing in your belly, you (and your husband or boyfriend) need to deal with the nagging symptoms of pregnancy. Here are just a few tips to help you to survive ....more
As joyful as the news that your are pregnant may be, this is not a very easy time at all. During the nine, or seven months when the woman is expecting, many things may go wrong. This period of a woman' s life is not easy ....more
The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood about the stages of pregnancy. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary ....more
I don't know about you, but as someone who suffered with prolonged, severe morning sickness (which I affectionately call morning noon and night sickness), When I hear someone say this, I just want to slug them! ....more
Practical Tips To Survive The First Trimester Of Pregnancy - by Christine Dugan
So, you've gotten over the elation of being pregnant. Now, despite the joy of having a little one growing in your belly, you (and your husband or boyfriend) need to deal with the nagging symptoms of pregnancy. Here are just a few tips to help you to survive:
1. Get plenty of rest: Most likely, you will be more tired than ever before during the first trimester. Listen to your body and go to bed or take naps when you are feeling tired. This may also mean cutting back on obligations, or going out with friends. Do not let yourself worry about housework, errands, or getting ready for the baby, which needs to be done. You will have more energy in the 2nd trimester, so let the things that can wait, wait. Also, ask your husband, boyfriend, or family to help you when you are tired.
2. Ask (or beg) your significant other to do the grocery shopping, cooking, and some of the cleaning: You may have aversions to foods in the first trimester or simply just do not have the desire to cook. Prepare a list of food items that you enjoy and ask your husband to prepare the meals each night or a few nights per week. Alleviating the stress of having to deal with food aversions at the grocery store and over the stove will help alleviate some of the nausea you may be feeling. Not only that, but if you are like me and working full time, you are tired in the evenings and will not feel like cooking or cleaning.
3. Make large meals on the weekends to last throughout the week: You will find that you have a little more energy for a few hours on the weekends. Snatch up those moments of energy to make a one-dish meal for the week (soups, casseroles, lasagnas, stews) so that you have something on the nights you lack the desire and energy to cook.
4. If you are experiencing nausea, try different avenues to alleviate it: There are many tips out there to ease the nausea, such as eating crackers in the morning before you get up, eating crackers all day, drinking ginger tea, and drinking ginger ale. I did not find these things to help with my nausea. One of the things that helped me was eating black licorice, eating grilled cheese sandwiches all day, and drinking lemonade. So, what works for one, does not work for all. Try different things.
5. Don't read all of the pregnancy books: Ask your doctor for one book that their practice recommends and stick with that book. If you feel the need to buy several books on the market, do not let yourself get worried about all of the things they discuss in these books. For example, I thought there was a chance that my baby was going to have neural tube defects (due to lack of folic acid) since I did not take prenatal vitamins prior to conception and in the first month of pregnancy. My doctor assured me that you do not even need to take the prenatal vitamins until the 20th week.
6. Call your doctor if you have concerns about anything! Your doctor will assure you more than the books or anyone else for that matter.
Lastly, have fun during your first trimester! Cherish all of the changes and experiences your body goes through during pregnancy as it forms a little miracle inside.
Is bleeding normal during pregnancy? - by Groshan Fabiola
As joyful as the news that your are pregnant may be, this is not a very easy time at all. During the nine, or seven months when the woman is expecting, many things may go wrong. This period of a woman' s life is not easy. A main concern in a pregnant woman' s life should be is there is bleeding involved. Although many women say that they still have their period while pregnant, spotting or even bleeding is seen at the soon to be mother, there is reason for concern.
First of all I would like to say that, even though a small range of women bleed at the beginning of their pregnancy, this is not the same as with getting your period. When pregnant, the brain sends signals to the uterus not to menstruate. It sometimes happens that a woman may loose small amounts of blood at the beginning of the pregnancy. This is not a risk to the baby, but if the flow increases, a doctor must be consulted at once.
At least one in five women have bleedings in the first trimester of pregnancy. This does not mean you still have your period. This bleeding is caused by other factors. What happens is that when the egg is trying to implant itself in the woman's uterus blood may flow. This situation only happens for a few days and the blood stream is very low.
One should not worry if bleeding starts at the beginning of the pregnancy. If it is low and only lasts a few days, there should be no concern. This actually happens because the cervix is going through different changes to accommodate the baby. The increased blood flow provided by the brain to your cervix may be one cause, especially if the cervix is inflamed. Be careful though, if bleeding is high and lasts longer, see a doctor.
As i have said before, bleeding in the first trimester is normal at some level. But it may also indicate problems with the fetus, ending in miscarriages. This unfortunate event could take place in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Mischarges are often accompanied by chills, cramps and fever, besides bleeding. A doctor should be seen right away if this symptoms happen. If powerful bleeding occurs, you may have another serious problem that could endanger you as well as your baby. This is the case of ectopic pregnancies that have a happening rate of one in 60 and are extremely dangerous.
Bleeding can also happen in the late stages of pregnancy, and again this is not your period. The cause for this bleeding are may be a mischarge of even a stillborn. Even as a women advances in her pregnancy, the risk of loosing her baby or giving birth to a dead child still exist.The bleeding may also be accompanied by cramps or contractions. It is imperative that you see a doctor, especially if you are bleeding heavily.
Things are not always that bad, though. You might have an inflated cervix as well. That can be treated. So if bleeding happens in the second or third trimester, better see a doctor and try to remain as calm as possible.
The stages of pregnancy - by Ken Austin
The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood about the stages of pregnancy. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.
There are three stages of pregnancy - the first, second, and third trimesters. Each of these stages can have very different physical and emotional effects on the mother-to-be. This article will explain in detail the emotional and physical changes you can expect during your pregnancy.
The first stage of pregnancy is the trimester, which begins with the first day of your last menstrual period and ends with the 16th week of your pregnancy. A wave of emotions can overwhelm you during the first trimester.
The thought of bringing a new person into the world can be scary and even cause disbelief that you will be responsible for the new life. Joy and excitement can also be prevalent emotions during the first part of your pregnancy. Worries over money, labor and delivery, the permanent changes that parenthood will bring, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility can also affect you profoundly.
The physical changes that occur during the first trimester are not as subtle as the emotional changes. Most women do not appear pregnant during the first months of pregnancy, but other changes will be evident. One of the first signs in nausea.
Exhaustion and morning sickness (which can occur at any time of day) are common and will be experienced by the majority of pregnant women. The increase in hormones within your body can make you feel tired constantly and your breasts may be sore and/or tender and will feel more full.
The second stage of pregnancy is the second trimester and is counted from the 16th to the 28th week. For most women, the emotions experienced tend to focus on preparations and the things you will need once the baby arrives. Certainly not all women, but most women will become excited about the upcoming delivery and the idea of having a baby during the second trimester.
They will enjoy talking with other parents and listening to stories about pregnancy and childbirth. There can still be periods of doubt and fear that arise during this stage, but the majority of emotions will focus on happy thoughts. There is also frequently an increased desire for sex and an increase in sexual fantasies during the second trimester.
If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
The physical changes that occur during the second trimester are more obvious to others. You can often feel the baby move and your stomach grows larger with each passing week. Many women begin to develop a radiant glow that is associated with pregnancy and the areola will begin to darken. During this stage of pregnancy, most women will regain their appetite as morning sickness and nausea begin to subside.
The third stage of pregnancy is the third trimester and this can seem like the longest. Counted from the 28th week to the 40th week, the third trimester usually seems to drag on even though it lasts 16 weeks just as the first two trimesters. Very often, exhaustion returns along with sudden but brief bursts of energy that compel you to prepare and clean house in anticipation of the baby's arrival. This is called "nesting" and when the urge strikes you, don't fight it unless your doctor has recommended bed rest. These occasional bursts of energy will help you in getting things ready for the birth of your baby.
With the third trimester comes many emotions. Many women worry about the health of their baby and are anxious and nervous about labor and delivery. During this stage of your pregnancy, exhaustion will come in two forms - physical exhaustion due to your growing body and emotional exhaustion due to the many changes that are taking place in your life.
During the final weeks of pregnancy, most women only want the baby to be born so that they can reclaim their own body. This is a completely normal feeling and it is not uncommon for women to focus more on themselves and their baby rather than on others.
The physical changes that occur during the third trimester can be very uncomfortable for the mother-to-be. Your stomach will become quite large and sleeping can be very difficult and awkward. By using pillows to prop yourself up at night you can help alleviate the back pain and the shortness of breath that usually occur.
Frequent urination, an increase in vaginal discharge, and experiencing contractions are to be expected. It is quite obvious that each stage of pregnancy is a unique and miraculous experience. If you are pregnant or are supporting someone who is pregnant, try to enjoy each stage of pregnancy as it comes and remember that no pregnancy lasts forever and it will be over before you know it.
It never hurts to be well-informed about the stages of pregnancy. Compare what you've learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of stages of pregnancy.
Morning Sickness Survival Tips - by Carrie Lauth
"Just eat a few saltines and you'll be ok".
I don't know about you, but as someone who suffered with prolonged, severe morning sickness (which I affectionately call morning noon and night sickness), When I hear someone say this, I just want to slug them!
If you're suffering with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, you're not alone. Most women experience it to some degree during their first trimester. If you're one of the unfortunate few whose symptoms last longer than the typical 6-12 weeks, I empathize. I've had the same experience with all 4 of my pregnancies. I have learned a few things that helped however, and I hope you can get some relief from your morning sickness with these tips.
1) Getting your blood sugar regulated is priority #1.
One theory about why morning sickness is worse in the morning (and for some women only occurs then) is because when you wake up from sleep, you have low blood sugar. For some pregnant woman, going 8 hours without food is just a bad idea.
You might find it helpful to eat a high protein snack before bed, and even to eat a bite each time you get up in the night to go to the bathroom. (Which in the beginning may be quite frequent!)
Personally, I found that what I did first thing in the morning was of paramount importance. I had to eat a few bites of food *while still lying down*. So I either put some food on a plate beside my bed or asked my husband bring me a snack first thing in the morning.
Don't jump out of bed. Eat your snack slowly and lie still for a few minutes afterwards. Then slowly get up and immediately go to the kitchen and eat another bite. Again, emphasize protein.
2) Avoid foods that cause rapid blood sugar shifts.
Fruit juice, sugary snacks, processed cereal (the kind that comes in a box), anything made with white flour, etc...these types of foods cause your blood sugar to rapidly rise then come crashing down, triggering nausea and vomiting. Eat protein foods and whole foods.
Meat, cheese, yogurt (be careful here- try plain yogurt with frozen berries mixed in. Most yogurt has way too much sugar in it.), eggs, nuts, nut butters, veggies, and whole grains should be your staples.
Even if eating doesn't appeal to you, coaxing yourself to eat a little bit of a protein food every 2 hours will help prevent vomiting. Don't leave the house without carrying a snack with you.
3) If drinking water makes you sicker, try these alternatives.
It's very important that you stay hydrated. You're going to need extra fluids to support the pregnancy, but many women find that drinking water makes them more nauseated. Some things to try:
Smoothies made with fruit, ice and plain yogurt or kefir. The tangy flavor of these two dairy products really hit the spot for me. They also sneak in some extra protein. Water served VERY cold with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Carbonated water with a small amount of fruit juice for flavor. Weakly brewed iced or hot tea with lemon. The small bit of caffeine won't harm your baby. Something about the bitter tannins in tea may help ease nausea. Citrus fruits and melons. 4) Avoid nausea triggers as much as possible.
Your nose is on hyperdrive during early pregnancy!
Stinky smells like poopy diapers, kitchen trash, even morning breath may be impossible to totally avoid, but try your best to avoid smelly situations.
Have someone else take out the trash. Have hubby change your toddler when he's home. It's the least he can do!
And don't be shy about telling someone who has bad breath, noxious perfume or cigarette smells on them that you're in a delicate condition and need some fresh air. During my pregnancies, my husband had to switch to unscented deodorant and soap, otherwise I couldn't hug him!
If cooking smells make you ill, take a break from your usual garlic and onion specialties. Don't be a martyr. Hubby will understand that you can't make his favorite sausage and peppers for a while.
Prepare meals that won't stink up the kitchen. Green main dish salads with cold, cut up chicken, steak or hard boiled eggs. Sandwiches are good too.
5) Try Aromatherapy for Morning Sickness Relief
Put a couple of drops of lavender, mint or lemon essential oil (these oils are generally regarded as safe to use during pregnancy) on cotton balls and keep these in various locations... the kitchen, bathroom, your purse and in the car. Take a whiff when you feel sick. Put a few drops on your pillow.
6) Take it easy- but don't forget exercise
I know, I know... exercise is the last thing you want to do when you can hardly get your face out of the toilet! But if you force yourself to take even a ten minute walk outside every day, it WILL help.
But do try to take it easy, avoid stress as much as possible, and rest as much as you can. You're doing the very important job of growing a baby. Explain to your other children why you're feeling poorly and that it won't last forever. Call in favors and ask friends to come over to play with your 2 year old for an hour so you can sleep, or ask them to cook extra when they make dinner tonight and bring you a dish.
When you feel a bout of nausea coming on, try to lay down for a few minutes in a dark room with your eyes closed. Sometimes if you do this the episode will pass.
7) Focus on the positive
Sometimes when you're so miserable it's easy to forget what's making you so sick! Remember that statistically, women who experience nausea and vomiting of pregnancy are more likely to carry the pregnancy to term.
One of my midwives told me that she always worries when a Mom comes in for her first prenatal feeling wonderful...the chances of her miscarrying are higher.
So rejoice in your strong hormones! Read pregnancy magazines, birth stories on the Internet, look through maternity clothing catalogs, do whatever you need to do to cheer yourself up and get yourself in the mood for a new baby.
8) More Misc. Morning Sickness Relief Tips
Try eating candied ginger or sipping ginger tea. I found ginger in capsules to be too harsh and they hurt terribly if they did come back up.
Brewer's yeast capsules work for some Moms.
Try sucking on lemon slices when you're feeling a wave of nausea.
Sip mint tea or chew mint gum to help dry up excessive salivating that may trigger nausea.
If you have trouble brushing your teeth due to an overactive gag reflex, switch to using baking soda for awhile. The foaming of regular toothpaste may be too much. And brush your teeth in shifts if you need to... first the top teeth, then a few minutes later the bottom teeth, then your tongue, etc.
Avoid getting overheated or chilled. Extremes in temperature can trigger vomiting.
Try Sea-Bands, available at large drug stores. They're designed for motion sickness but helps some pregnant women.
Go with your cravings, within reason. For some reason, pizza and Taco Bell always hit the spot during my pregnancies.
Clean the toilet daily, even if it's the only household chore you can do right now. Better yet, have someone else do it.
Wear your hair up for awhile. If you're going to be throwing up, at least you will have your hair out of the way and a clean bowl to hug!
First Trimester - Early Stages of Pregnancy
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