Do’s and Don’ts of The First trimester of Pregnancy | Practical Steps During The First Trimester | NextMamas.
WHAT TO DO:
Having a baby is one of the most joyous times in many women's lives. From thinking about the day you'll bring your little one home, to picking a name and nursery colors, the excitement is intense. But you also need to take some practical steps during the first trimester, which our team of NextMamas providing you including:
See your Doctor:
Always choose a doctor for antenatal visits. schedule a prenatal visit as soon as you know you’re pregnant. You’ll cover a lot of ground in the first appointment. The doctor will take a full medical history and talk to you about your lifestyle and health habits. They’ll figure out your due date. You’ll also have blood and urine tests.
Continue Prenatal Visits:
Continue with prenatal visits every 4 weeks. The doctor will check your weight and blood pressure, test your urine and listen to your baby’s heartbeat.
Start taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid to help your baby’s brain and spinal cord grow properly. Ask your doctor what prescription and over-the-counter medicines you can still safely take.
Diet and Hydration:
Take a look at your diet and make any changes you need to make sure you and your baby get the right nutrition. Drink plenty of water to remove toxins and bad chemicals from your body. Drink less caffeine.
Workout Routine:
Keep up your workout routine, but listen to your body. You may need to change what kind of exercise you do or ease up a little.
Keep it Secret:
Decide when and how you’ll share your news. You may want to wait until you’ve heard the baby’s heartbeat, or made it safely past the first trimester. It’s also smart to find out your company’s policies on maternity leave and learn your rights before you tell your boss.
Emergency Symptoms:
Any of these symptoms could be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your pregnancy. Don't wait for your prenatal visit to talk about it. Call your doctor right away if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Severe dizziness.
- Rapid Weight gain or too little weight gain.
Make A Budget:
Research what it costs to have a baby and start making changes. Will you have to pay for child care? Will you cut back on work? Draw up a new budget that reflects the new addition.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
- Don’t smoke.
- Don’t eat raw meat.
- Be careful while eating fish.
- Avoid swimming.
- Don’t drink too much caffeine.
- Avoid pets.
- Don’t overeat.
- Take care of yourself.
Before you know it, your little one will finally be here. When you hold and snuggle with your newborn, remember to thank yourself for following this list of do’s and don’ts months ago in your first trimester. A healthy, happy baby makes it all worthwhile.
Author: Dr. Iram Gill
Dr. Iram Gill is an MBBS doctor by profession and a Content Writer by passion. She is a mother as well and has observed the health-related challenges faced by mothers and babies. She wants to play her part in increasing access and support for breastfeeding and maternal health problems.
