First Time Pregnant? This Is What You Must Know!

Your first pregnancy is a phase of extremely mixed emotions. Without doubt, you are excited about welcoming your little one into the world. But, there are so many questions that you will have in your mind that can even make you extremely anxious. Here are some things that you should know in order to ensure that you have a smooth and safe pregnancy.

Understanding The Symptoms of Pregnancy

The first thing that you need to do is understand the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. There are four signs that will tell you that it is time for you to take that pregnancy test:

#1. Tender breasts

This is one of the earliest signs of your first pregnancy. Your breasts will feel swollen and tender. You will also feel like your breasts have become heavier. The reason for this is that your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes when you are pregnant. Also read: Cramps During Pregnancy – Top Causes And Solutions

#2. Fatigue

During your first-time pregnancy, you will feel like you have lesser energy than normal. This is also the result of hormonal changes. A hormone called progesterone is produced in large quantities and this hormone is responsible for making you feel sleepy. In addition to this, your blood pressure may drop and the sugar produced in the body may increase, making you feel like you do not have any energy to do even simple routine activities.

#3. Cramping and bleeding

You will notice a small amount of vaginal bleeding which is also called as implantation bleeding. This happens as the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus wall. You can differentiate this from your regular periods as the blood is much lighter in color. You will also see spots of blood. Lastly, this bleeding will last for just a day or two. You may also experience cramps that are very similar to the ones you experience during your period. Also read: The Best And The Most Accurate Ovulation Calculator For Pregnancy

#4. Nausea

You do not have to be several months into your pregnancy to experience nausea. Morning sickness is quite common when you conceive. Hormonal changes are responsible for this symptom. Since the levels of hormones increase fast, you will experience issues like a heightened sense of smell, aversion to certain foods and also a feeling of being full all the time because the food digests very slowly during pregnancy. All these changes together will lead to nausea and even vomiting even in the early stages of pregnancy.

Taking Care Of Yourself During Your First Pregnancy 

Taking a pregnancy test is a great way to confirm your pregnancy. However, the most important first pregnancy advice to keep in mind is that you must go to your doctor to ensure that you are pregnant so that you can take necessary steps to manage your pregnancy and keep yourself healthy. Here are some important things to do in your first pregnancy.

#1. Make a prenatal appointment

Your first prenatal appointment should be when you are 8 weeks pregnant. This will help you confirm the pregnancy, talk to your doctor about medical issues and medication that you are consuming, understand the effect of your family’s medical history on your baby and even check for any possible complications at an early stage.

#2. Ensure that you get a prenatal vitamin

Nutrition is the key to a safe and healthy pregnancy. You need an additional dose of folic acid, iron and calcium that is found in these supplements.

#3. Make necessary lifestyle changes

Consuming less caffeine, avoiding foods that can cause issues during your pregnancy, getting ample rest, keeping yourself active, drinking enough water and also ensuring that you follow a healthy diet is extremely necessary when you are pregnant.

#4. Keep an eye on weight gain

Ensuring that you check your weight consistently will help you track your progress. Also read: 9 Ways To Bond With Your Baby During Pregnancy

What to expect in each trimester

The best first pregnancy advice is learning as much as you can about each trimester. Usually, pregnancy will last for 40 weeks. This is divided into three trimesters as follows:

First Trimester

This lasts from conception till the 13th week of your pregnancy. While you will not look very different, there are a lot of internal changes that are happening within your body.

Second Trimester

This occurs from the 13th to 27th week of your pregnancy. This is a rather comfortable phase when you will be able to get more sleep and will also feel quite energetic throughout the day.

Third Trimester

This is when you are preparing for your delivery. This starts from the 28th week until delivery. You will have to visit your doctor more often and make sure that you have your urine tested for protein, check blood pressure regularly, monitor the development of the fetus and learn about various delivery options. Also read: Weight Gain During Pregnancy (Trimester By Trimester) Want to share your experience as a mom with other moms through words or images? Become a part of the Moms United community. Click here and we will get in touch with you

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