The First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy is the most important time during pregnancy, with many changes occurring for the mother and the fetus.
The first trimester of pregnancy begins on the first day of the last menstrual cycle and lasts until week 13. (it lasts roughly 3 months)
Although you are not already pregnant in the first two weeks, they are considered part of your pregnancy.
In the first trimester you will feel psychological and hormonal changes, and do not show physiological changes such as flatulence, feet and weight gain.
The fetus begins its life in your uterus by fertilizing two cells, an egg and a sperm to integrate almost all its organs, and to reach its length by the end of the first trimester 1 cm (approximately the length of a peach pill).
Symptoms of the First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy varies from woman to woman, where a woman is healthy and energetic, while another suffers from fatigue and fatigue, because of hormonal changes affecting every organ of the body.
The absence of the menstrual cycle is one of the most important symptoms of the first trimester of pregnancy, when pregnancy occurs the body produces hormones that stop ovulation, so the menstrual cycle stops.
With the first few weeks, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
1. Fatigue in the first trimester of pregnancy
The fetus grows rapidly during pregnancy, causing fatigue in the body of the expectant mother, and in any case, there is a range of tips to follow to improve energy levels in the pregnant woman, including:
- Rest the body, get enough sleep during the night.
- Accept and request the assistance of others.
- Drink enough fluids, approximately 2 liters a day.
- Divide meals into small meals.
- Regular exercise.
2. Headaches in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Some pregnant women complain of headaches in the first trimester of pregnancy, due to changes in the level of hormones and increased blood in the body.
Headaches are not dangerous to the fetus, but it is annoying to pregnant, it is better to treat it so as not to cause pre-eclampsia, you should know the causes of headaches during pregnancy, and try to avoid them, such as lack of sleep, hunger, thirst, stress, fatigue, abortion and low blood sugar.
Preventing headaches
Remember that the most successful way to treat headaches is to prevent them, so try to apply the following tips:
• Sleep, sit and stand in a good position.
• Take a break.
• A healthy and balanced diet.
• Exercise after consulting your doctor.
• Keep your body hydrated by drinking enough water daily.
3. Nausea in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
The feeling of nausea, which is sometimes accompanied by vomiting, often one month after pregnancy, begins because of increased pregnancy hormones.
Sometimes (morning sickness) although it does not appear in the morning; it can even occur at any time during the night or during the day, tips that help to alleviate it:
• Divide meals every hour or two, it is important to avoid keeping your stomach empty.
• Choose foods that contain low amounts of fat.
• Avoid foods or smells that increase nausea.
• Drink enough fluids.
4. Shortness of Breath in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Some women notice changes in breathing when pregnancy occurs, especially in the first month of pregnancy, and it becomes more difficult as the pregnancy progresses, the causes of shortness of breath in the first trimester of pregnancy are:
• High diaphragm: The fetus pushes the diaphragm up, which fills the lungs with air, so the pregnant woman feels shortness of breath.
• High levels of progesterone: Progesterone plays a key role in fetal growth, as it is a respiratory alarm, causing its rise to accelerate the pregnancy of the pregnant woman.
Tips for getting rid of shortness of breath during the first trimester of pregnancy:
• Not to move quickly.
• Sit straight so the lungs can stretch further and put many pillows while sleeping.
• Exercise the lungs by taking a deep breath, then slowly taking out the breath, and repeating it more than once.
5. Weight loss in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
It is normal to lose weight during the first trimester of pregnancy, due to loss of appetite and disturbing pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness, all of which affect your eating, as well as your body's ability to retain it and the fluids needed for digestion, and thus lose weight instead of increasing.
Digestive disorders such as constipation, diarrhea and aversion to eating foods, affect appetite and cause weight loss.
6. Dizziness in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
The pregnant woman feels dizzy or heavily headed due to the extra work done by her body to produce an excessive amount of blood to support the fetus, and dizziness may occur because of hunger, fatigue, or stress, here are some tips that may help control dizziness:
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
• Drink enough fluids and eat frequently in reasonable quantities.
7. Heartburn in the first trimester of pregnancy
The pregnant woman feels burned, due to many factors, including:
Loosening of the muscles responsible for food digestion, slow digestion due to hormonal changes, as well as the survival of food in the stomach for longer than usual to give the body time to absorb nutrients, all these factors play a role in suffering from heartburn.
Tips for the pregnant woman to reduce her feelings of acidity or heartburn include:
• Avoid too much eating, and make sure you divide your meals.
• Avoid eating during the last three hours before going to sleep.
• Reduce the intake of foods high in fat, and reduce the drinking of caffeinated beverages.
• Take a straight position while eating, meaning that the woman is careful to eat while she is sitting.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol.
8. Contractions in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Pregnancy contractions occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, because of dilation and increased size, in preparation for fetal growth.
You may also experience pain in your vagina, lower abdomen, pelvis or back area, usually accompanied by certain gases, bloating and constipation.
These contractions do not last for long periods and do not cause anxiety if they are not accompanied by brown discharge or severe pain in the lower abdomen.
9. Light bleeding
Some pregnant women suffer from mild bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy, if the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus may lead to a small amount of blood, you should see a doctor in case of bleeding in a large amount or suffer from colic and strong pain in the abdomen.
10. Frequent urination and increased discharge
Pregnant women notice an increase in the number of times they go to the bathroom to urinate compared to pre-pregnancy, and this may be due to increased blood in a woman's body during pregnancy, which requires the kidneys to deal with and treat excessive fluid, thus increasing the amount of urine collected in the bladder.
The pregnant woman notices an increase in vaginal discharge during the first trimester of pregnancy, so the underwear should be kept clean and dry, and do not clean or wash the vagina from the inside but should see a doctor if you suffer from itching or ulceration in the vagina, for the possibility of infection.
11. Chest pain
Chest pain is one of the early signs of pregnancy, which appears because of hormonal changes that prepare the milk ducts in the breasts and prepare them for postpartum feeding.
Breast pain usually lasts until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, and pregnant women are advised to wear a larger-than-usual bra to provide comfort and relieve discomfort and pain.
12. Constipation
There are many causes of constipation during pregnancy, such as taking iron-containing prenatal vitamins, it is known that iron can cause constipation, as well as slow digestion of food in pregnant women, as it causes constipation, gas and bloating.
To avoid constipation, you should drink enough fluids, exercise after consulting a doctor, and focus on eating foods that contain fiber, such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Finally, understanding the stages of pregnancy helps to make the right decisions, and to prepare well for the big changes that evolve from week to week.