Care During Pregnancy:

  Care during pregnancy is an essential part of pregnancy. However, getting pregnant, especially for the first time is a new and exciting experience. Most of the women who do not have a medical background or do not know much about medical and do some practices that may harm the growing fetus. Moreover, the first three months are very crucial in pregnancy. Hence, care during the first three months is very much essential for fetus development. Following are some important points that should be followed by all pregnant women, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Daily activities during pregnancy:(care during pregnancy)

As many women when they come to know that they are pregnant, they stop their daily activities and try to rest more and more. This will put them towards many problems like weight gain, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and pregnancy-induced diabetes. So be active throughout pregnancy until your gynecologist advises you to take rest.

Use of folic acid in the first trimester:(Care during pregnancy)

It is important to use folic acid during the first three months of pregnancy to prevent spina bifida in the fetus. Some doctors recommend that women who are planning to conceive should begin taking folic acid. To avoid vomiting and expelling the medicine, it is best to take folic acid when you feel less nauseated.

Avoid over-the-counter medicine:

Avoid use of medication until your doctor prescribes it. Such medicines could cause harmful effects on fetal development and malformation of organs in the first three months.

  Avoid eating Pickle and green chilly:

However, nausea and vomiting in the first three months of pregnancy are normal. This happens due to high levels of hormones. Most women try to eat spicy foods, but spicy foods such as pickles and green chili may worsen nausea and vomiting. If you have too many vomits, you must consult your health care provider. Severe vomiting may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which must be replaced with intravenous fluids to avoid further complications for both mother and fetus. Extra care is needed for such women during pregnancy

stress and anxiety during pregnancy(Care during pregnancy)

 Having stress and anxiety during pregnancy can lead to many health problems for both the mother and the growing fetus. Having stress can lead to high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, which may lead to miscarriage and low birth baby. Must discuss your stresses with your partner or a close friend and seek medical attention if needed. Mental health is a key element in care during pregnancy.

 Is having intercourse in the first Trimester safe?

 Although having sex cannot harm the developing fetus try to do a safe sex practice. Avoid sex in some conditions such as if you have vaginal bleeding, leaking amniotic fluid, having any sexually transmitted disease, or if you have a problem of painful sex. Must discuss this with your healthcare provider.

 Take fruit and salad in your diet:

As constipation is prevalent in pregnancy, use fruits, especially apples, and ripe papayas avoid unripe ones,   use mangoes, green vegetables, etc. Researchers also reveal the benefits of fruits during pregnancy enhancing a baby’s intelligence level. Avoid food that contains fats, take light food to digest easily.

Drinks more juices and water:

Hydration is very important in pregnancy use water and juices to maintain your hydration.

Iron and calcium supplements:

It is recommended to take iron and calcium supplements as directed by your healthcare provider. These supplements can help prevent anemia and calcium deficiency in the mother, as well as help in fetal growth. Be sure to take these supplements at least twelve hours apart as they can decrease each other’s absorption.

Avoid Strenuous Exercises:

Do regular walking and avoid strenuous exercises. Strenuous exercise in pregnancy especially in the first three months can lead to miscarriage.

Avoid lifting heavy things:

lifting heavy items can put pressure on your pelvis, so might have a chance of miscarriage.

Diet care during Pregnancy:

Always make a habit of eating small frequent meals, this may help in easy digestion and reduce nausea and vomiting.

Avoid smoking or alcohol consumption:

Pregnant women should limit the use of alcohol and smoking during pregnancy. This may have a bad impact on a growing fetus. Furthermore; alcohol can interfere with the absorption of medicine.

Avoid Radiation Exposure:

X-rays or radiation have a very bad impact on fetal growth, so, avoid excessive radiation exposure, and avoid going to places where radiation is used, especially in hospitals where radiation is used tremendously. This may cause the abortion of the fetus. So be extra vigilant when going for a hospital visit.

 Avoid Chemotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Exposure: (care during pregnancy)

Avoid exposure to cytotoxic medicine or nuclear medicine. This is again very harmful for both the mother and the growing fetus. That can interfere with the growth and malformation of the fetus. Furthermore, besides exposure in a hospital with such chemicals during a hospital visit, if you have any loved one at home who is receiving chemotherapy or any nuclear medicine must keep yourself away from such patients and take care. Avoid using combined toilets with such patients while receiving treatment days.

When to consult your gynecologist/health care provider?

As soon as you have a missed period you can check a pregnancy strip test at home or if not satisfied visit a hospital or a laboratory. In case of a positive pregnancy test have an appointment with your gynecologist. So, that your initial medical and general checkup will be carried out. You must inform your physician if you are taking any pills or getting treatment for any other disease.

Therefore, care during the first trimester /first three months of pregnancy is very important. As in the first three months of pregnancy, all major organ formation takes place. Any kind of ignorance in these months can lead to major defects and harmful effects on the developing fetus.