The first trimester of pregnancy is one of the important periods for the unborn baby and mother. During this period of time, the development of the fetus is rapid. The first weeks of pregnancy, on which the baby's internal organs and the immune system are laid, are of great importance.
How many weeks is the first trimester?
For the convenience of assessing the condition of the fetus and the expectant mother, obstetricians conditionally subdivide the entire gestation period into trimesters. In total, pregnancy lasts 3 trimesters, in each of which important changes occur. The most responsible are the 1st and 3rd - the beginning and end of the entire period of bearing the baby. According to the observations of specialists, most of the pathologies and complications of gestation occur at this time.
The expectant mother should be attentive to the state of her body. Knowing the number of the current week of gestation, pregnant women cannot always answer the question of what trimester it is. How many weeks is the first trimester of pregnancy? A similar question can be heard from a woman carrying her first child. In obstetrics, the first trimester refers to weeks from the 1st to.
First trimester in weeks
Having learned how long the first trimester lasts for weeks, women are often interested in the main events of this period. One of the first to be noted is the formation and development of the placenta. This unique organ is the link between the mother's body and the fetus. It directly delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby. The hormonal background in the female body changes, which causes a change in the appearance of the pregnant woman.
Child development in the 1st trimester of pregnancy
The 1st trimester of pregnancy begins from the moment of fertilization. However, in practice, women are often unable to name the expected date of the last sexual intercourse. Given this, doctors are forced to start counting from the first day of the last menstruation. In this way, the obstetric term is established.
The first trimester is the period of fetal formation. It consists of 12 weeks, each of which is characterized by its own changes. Let's highlight the main processes taking place with the unborn baby at this time:
- 1-th obstetric week- is not yet happening, the body is just beginning to prepare for a possible pregnancy, the egg is maturing.
- 2nd week- ovulation occurs - the release of a mature egg into the abdominal cavity for further fertilization.
- 3rd obstetric week- corresponds to the first week from conception. At this time, fertilization and migration of the ovum into the uterine cavity occurs.
- 4th week- the cells of the embryo are actively dividing, which ensures its growth. The fetal membranes become distinguishable, each of which gives rise to its own organ system:
- endoderm - digestive tract, liver, thyroid gland, pancreas, respiratory system;
- mesoderm - bone skeleton, muscle and connective tissue, excretory and circulatory systems, genitals;
- ectoderm - yolk sac, chorion, amniotic membrane.
- 5 weeks- the laying of the musculoskeletal system, kidneys, liver, intestines is carried out. The chorion develops, from which the placenta will form.
- - the facial part of the skull is formed: the rudiments of the nose and eyes appear, the chin, cheeks, and auricles acquire clarity.
- - the muscular system and limbs are being improved, the baby begins to carry out the first movements. The liver synthesizes blood cells.
- 8-10 weeks- the formed placenta begins to function, which is involved in the synthesis of hormones.
- 11-12 weeks- the formation of organ systems is completed, the child reacts to external stimuli. The external genitals become distinguishable, the first assumptions about the sex of the baby can be made.
First trimester of pregnancy - sensations
The early stages of pregnancy are rich in new sensations that a woman has never experienced before. One of the common manifestations that accompany the first trimester is nausea. It appears by the end of the second month of gestation and is associated with a change in hormonal levels in the female body. In general, the change in the sensations experienced by a woman when the first trimester of pregnancy occurs can be described as follows:
- 3-5th week- there is a slight malaise, increased fatigue, drowsiness;
- 6-7th week- the condition is normalized, the woman feels great;
- 8-10th week- the time of the appearance of the first: headaches, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to odors, changes in taste preferences - the main manifestations of this disorder;
- 11-12 weeks- manifestations of toxicosis intensify, the woman gradually gets used to her new position. The breast becomes edematous, increases in size.
First trimester of pregnancy - discharge
The entire first trimester of vaginal discharge has a thick consistency. Due to this, their volume may decrease. This is due to hormonal changes in the female body. This is due to progesterone. Under the influence of this hormone, a kind of plug, as obstetricians call it, forms in the cervix.
In its consistency, it resembles a clot of mucus, which completely covers the entrance to the uterine cavity. In this way, the reproductive system protects the fetus from possible exposure to pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate from the outside into the vagina. The release of the mucous plug occurs on the eve of childbirth or during the first stage of delivery.
The first trimester of pregnancy - what is possible, what is not?
Every expectant mother should imagine what dangers accompany the first trimester of pregnancy, what you need to know in order to avoid possible complications. With the onset of gestation, a woman is forced not only to change her usual lifestyle, but also to make adjustments to her diet. There are a number of restrictions for pregnant women, neglect of which is fraught with disruption of the process of intrauterine development of the fetus.
The first trimester of pregnancy - what can you do?
In order for the first trimester of pregnancy to pass without "accidents", the expectant mother must lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a number of rules. Doctors recommend that pregnant women take walks in the fresh air more often in the early stages. This will help strengthen the immune system, saturate the body with oxygen. It is important to pay special attention to rest. Frequent nausea, vomiting, headache leave an imprint on the well-being of a woman who cannot sleep for a long time. It must be remembered that sleep has a positive effect on the nervous system, allows you to quickly recuperate.
First trimester - what not?
Almost the entire 1st trimester, the body of a pregnant woman gradually gets used to its new position. Given this, the expectant mother should be attentive to her well-being. Refusal of bad habits is one of the first conditions for a successfully developing pregnancy process. We must also remember that during the first trimester, the immunity of a pregnant woman is weakened, so the risk of infection increases many times over. A cold in the 1st trimester can lead to a disruption in the process of fetal formation.
Excessive physical activity, sports training are contraindicated throughout the entire gestation period. However, this does not mean that it is necessary to completely exclude physical activity. Habitual running, exercise in the gym can be replaced by walking. In this case, you must be careful with the choice of clothing. The belly is almost invisible in the first trimester of pregnancy, but you should not wear belted clothes or skinny jeans. They will disrupt blood flow in the pelvis.
First trimester - nutrition
For the entire first trimester of pregnancy, nutritionists advise completely excluding fatty and heavy food for digestion from the menu. In this case, the basis should be protein food. If the usual foods provoke bouts of nausea, you can replace them with cottage cheese, chicken eggs, cereals. The changed hormonal background often causes constipation, so the menu, 1 trimester, must necessarily contain foods high in fiber:
- vegetables;
- fruits;
- bran bread;
- berries.
Meals should be frequent and fractional. A pregnant woman can safely consume her favorite foods and dishes. However, some need to be limited:
- alcohol;
- coffee;
- pickles;
- smoked meats;
- spicy;
- fast food.
Vitamins for pregnant women - 1 trimester
A large number of vitamins for expectant mothers are presented on the pharmaceutical market. The complex of minerals and vitamins is selected taking into account the gestational age, therefore, before using the drug, you should consult your doctor. It must be remembered that the best vitamins for pregnant women, 1 trimester, are those that do not cause side effects and are well tolerated by the expectant mother. Among the most popular:
- Vitrum;
- Elevit;
- Alphabet;
- Complivit Trimester 1 trimester.
First trimester - tests and doctors
Almost the entire pregnancy, the first trimester in particular, is accompanied by examinations and tests. These measures allow you to timely identify possible deviations, which, in the absence of attention from doctors, can develop into complications and pathologies. The first trimester of pregnancy is the time when a woman is registered. In this case, the pregnant woman undergoes the following specialists:
- therapist;
- ophthalmologist;
- otolaryngologist;
- dentist;
- endocrinologist;
- neuropathologist;
- surgeon.
Among the mandatory tests of the first trimester:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- analysis for blood group and Rh factor;
- examination for genital infections;
- blood for hepatitis B and C;
- setting the sugar level.
Ultrasound screening of the 1st trimester
Doctors rarely prescribe an ultrasound scan in the early stages. 1 trimester - the period when the fetus is just forming, not all organs and systems are functioning yet. Given this feature, the study is carried out at the end of the first trimester. Ultrasound is part of screening - a comprehensive examination, which is aimed at diagnosing pathologies and abnormalities of the fetus. It is carried out from the 11th to the 13th week of gestation. The main parameters assessed by ultrasound, their normal values are shown in the table below.
Biochemical screening of the 1st trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy is a period during which there is a high risk of developing intrauterine abnormalities, developmental pathologies. To diagnose them at an early stage, the concentration of hCG and PAPP-A is established. Chorionic gonadotropin reflects the development of pregnancy, and plasma protein A indicates possible genetic diseases. The indicators of the norms of these two substances are shown in the table.
Pregnancy is a joyous event in the life of every woman who wants to have a baby. In addition, this is also a very responsible and difficult period, which can bring not only joy, but also anxiety.
Pregnancy is known to last 9 months or 40 weeks.
For convenience, the division of this entire period into trimesters is accepted, of which there are only three. We publish a convenient table of pregnancy trimesters by week in this article.
You will learn how weeks and months of pregnancy are divided into trimesters and what to expect from each trimester, all this should be known to any woman preparing to become a mother.
Very often we are asked - "the first, second, third trimester is how many weeks?" let's figure it out in order.
The beginning of pregnancy is counted from the last menstruation.... Thus, it turns out that the first month of pregnancy begins even before conception. What happens in the first trimester of pregnancy:
- At 1-2 weeks of pregnancy, ovulation and fertilization of the egg occurs. How to calculate this day, read in a separate section.
- At 3-4 weeks, the egg goes down the fallopian tubes into the uterus and is implanted into its wall.
If everything went well, the fertilized egg is entrenched in the uterus, then the pregnancy develops further.
Therefore, 2-3 weeks of pregnancy are considered an important moment for its further course..
- In the following weeks, the embryo grows and develops.
- By week 6, the heart, arms and legs are formed.
- At 7-8 weeks, the rudiments of the eyes, chest, belly appear in the crumbs.
- 8-10 weeks - the child has a face, fingers and toes.
- By the end of the first trimester, by 13 weeks, the baby's eyelids have formed, the baby's genitals are distinguishable, and the sex of the baby can be determined.
Important systems of the body begin to form: nervous, bone, muscle.
The embryo is about 6 mm long.
The first senses appear.
The fetus begins to move, but the mother does not feel it yet. The embryo is about 12 mm long.
The first trimester lasts three months or 12-13 weeks. This period is very important for the development of the unborn child. Sometimes at this time, an abortion may occur if there are any abnormalities of the embryo or abnormalities in the mother's health.
Let's figure it out together: and why is it being done? Is this examination really necessary?
A great device for relieving the load from the back is a bandage, and how are they different?
Therefore, it is very important in the first trimester to lead a healthy lifestyle, get rid of bad habits, exclude the use of drugs and any substances that can harm the health of the future crumbs.
The body of a woman during this period is actively being rebuilt. The hormonal background is changing. Breasts swell, nipples become sensitive. A pregnant woman becomes more emotional: she is quickly irritated or cries.
Frequent urge to use the toilet appears, because the growing uterus presses on the bladder. Toxicosis may begin.
Immunity is reduced so that the mother's body does not reject the embryo. In the first trimester, a woman should be especially careful about her health.
Get more rest, sleep, walk, eat well, avoid overwork and stress. The health of the unborn child depends on the health of the mother.
Duration 2 terms
At 13 weeks, the main organs and systems of the fetus are already formed, and the fetus takes on the appearance of a little man.
Borderline week 28 can be in the second or third trimester. At 28 weeks, the fetus is already mature enough to survive with proper care.
By the fifth month, the fetus has formed the rudiments of teeth, and a downy head grows. Cilia and eyebrows grow, but they are still colorless, the melanin pigment is not yet produced. Individual convolutions appear on the fingers of the pens - prints.
At 6 months (22-25, 26, 27 weeks), the child's bone marrow is functioning, and the intensive development of the brain continues. The crumbs' nervous system is already sufficiently developed. He hears sounds from outside. Loud sounds frighten him, calm music has a beneficial effect.
In the second trimester, about 18 weeks, a woman first begins to feel the movement of the baby (many already at 16). This period usually proceeds quite well. Toxicosis passes, hormonal changes are completed and with it sudden mood swings and other early troubles.
The woman's belly becomes more and more noticeable and by the end of the sixth month, back pain may occur due to the increased load on the spine. In this case, the doctor may advise you to wear a special bandage.
In the second trimester, it is important to undergo an ultrasound scan in order to assess the development of the child, to identify the existing pathologies.
Choosing a gift for a newborn? Do help you in your work.
All mothers must know: - how many weeks do they do it, and is it really necessary?
3 trimester. Its dangers
The final stage of pregnancy is the last three months or third trimester.
What week does it start with? Usually it is considered from 28 to 40 weeks of gestation.
Starting at 28 weeks, the baby's lungs are so formed that they are able to inhale normal air. The child is asleep and awake, is able to close and open his eyes.
By the end of 32 weeks, the child's weight reaches 2.5 kg, and the length is 45 cm From 33 to 37 weeks, the lungs have fully developed, the skin smoothes, it becomes pinkish.
Muscle tone increases, the child can raise his head and turn it.
Reacts to bright light.
From 38 weeks, the baby is fully formed and ready for childbirth.
Labor begins at 40 weeks. However, this does not always happen. Sometimes labor can begin 1-2 weeks earlier or later than the prescribed period.
Prolonged pregnancy can have unpleasant consequences, so you need to go to the hospital if the deadline has come and there are no contractions.
Termination of pregnancy in this period can occur with some complications, although it would be more accurate to call it premature birth. After all, a child after 28 weeks is already quite viable, although it requires special care. Complications of pregnancy during this period include:
- Problems with the function of the placenta
- High blood pressure in a pregnant woman (pre-eclamsia)
- Abnormalities of the uterus and cervix
- Bad habits in a pregnant woman
This period is often the most difficult for the expectant mother. The discomfort from the growing abdomen increases, the internal organs located in the neighborhood are squeezed. In the third trimester, the following problems may arise:
- Difficulty breathing due to compression of the diaphragm
- Back pain
- Swelling and heaviness in the legs
- Varicose veins in the legs
- Increased urination
- Pressure rise
- Late toxicosis
- Other ailments
Is your pregnancy going easy?
EasilyNot good
You need to tell your gynecologist about any problems of your body, you need to visit him weekly from now on. Most of these problems resolve after childbirth, but may require supportive care during pregnancy.
Thus, pregnancy is conventionally divided into three periods - trimesters. The table for the trimesters of pregnancy looks like this:
| TRIMESTER | MONTHS | WEEK |
| 1 | FIRST | 1-4 |
| SECOND | 5-8 | |
| THIRD | 9-13 | |
| 2 | FOURTH | 14-17 |
| FIFTH | 18-21 | |
| SIXTH | 22-27 | |
| 3 | SEVENTH | 28-31 |
| EIGHTH | 32-36 | |
| NINTH | 37-40 |
This table shows the trimesters of pregnancy by week and month.
Trimester analyzes
Throughout the pregnancy, the expectant mother and child are under the supervision of a doctor.
The plans for the management of pregnancy include regular examinations, weighing, measurements of the abdomen by an obstetrician-gynecologist; consultations of other specialists, analyzes and research.
They will help determine if everything is in order with the mother and child, and if problems are found, prescribe treatment on time.
Most of the examinations and tests will have to be done in the first trimester, when registering for pregnancy with your gynecologist.
In the first trimester, tests are taken to assess the following indicators:
- Blood characteristics
- HCG level in blood or urine
- The presence of sugar in the blood and urine
- General urine indicators
- Determine the blood group and Rh factor, in the presence of negative rhesus in the mother, it is imperative to determine the rhesus of the father
- The presence of infections in the blood (HIV, syphilis, viral hepatitis, etc.)
- Antibodies to ToRCH infections (toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes)
- Determine the microflora of the vagina by smear and culture on PPI
- For a period of 12 weeks, the first screening is carried out - a comprehensive examination, including an ultrasound scan and a blood test from a vein. The main task of screening is to identify genetic abnormalities in the fetus.
This survey is optional. However, in some cases, or simply at will, a doctor may recommend it.
In the second trimester, re-examine:
- General blood analysis
- Once a month, they donate urine for analysis
- Second screening at 16-18 weeks
- Second ultrasound at 18-21 weeks, if the second screening was not done
The second screening includes a triple test. At the same time, the level of proteins is determined - AFP, hCG and estriol. This helps to rule out genetic diseases such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and neural tube defects. An ultrasound scan looks for abnormalities in the formed organs and systems of the fetus.
In the last trimester:
- Repeated blood test for infections (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis)
- A smear for microflora and genital infections from the vagina
- A urine test is taken more often once every 1-2 weeks.
- Blood chemistry
- Last ultrasound and preferably dopplerography
Such tests for trimesters are taken by pregnant women without fail during the normal course of pregnancy. However, when a woman has health problems or complications arise, the doctor will prescribe additional tests and studies, as well as specialist consultations, if necessary.
Whatever difficulties a woman faces in different trimesters of pregnancy, there are always positive aspects.
After all, it is so wonderful to watch how a baby is born, develops and grows. And such a miracle as the birth of a new life overshadows any difficulties that may arise during pregnancy and during childbirth.
Useful video
You can see how the baby develops in the next video. We recommend that you see it, this is something incredible.
Aza Mukhadinovna Balova
The first trimester lasts before the 13th week.
All this time, the embryo is developing rapidly, and it is during this period that the danger of miscarriage is especially great. Average weight gain in the first trimester of pregnancy should be about 0.2 kg per week.
However, many expectant mothers are worried about early toxicosis, so the total increase in 3 months sometimes does not exceed 2 kg.
For the same reason, a woman's body weight sometimes remains the same or even slightly decreases.
As for the tummy, in some expectant mothers it appears as early as 15-17 weeks, while in others the figure hardly changes until late. In the first trimester, as a rule, there are no changes at all.
The increase in the size of the uterus occurs during the entire period of gestation.
In the first trimester of pregnancy (up to the 12th week inclusive), the entire uterus is in the small pelvis, although already at this stage its dimensions are proportional to the head of the newborn. From the 12th week, the uterus is palpated in the lower abdomen, a couple of centimeters above the pubic bone. As the gestation period increases, it rises.
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy
Any signs of pregnancy can be divided into the following groups:
- presumptive, which include a change in the physical and emotional state of a woman (increased irritability, change in taste preferences, nausea, drowsiness, decreased performance);
- probable, which include a delay in the next menstruation, as well as engorgement and increased sensitivity of the mammary glands. In addition, pregnancy may be indicated by the fact that urination is somewhat frequent (especially at night). However, you need to understand that the same symptoms may well be the result of stress or hypothermia.
Some of the signs (for example, a change in the size and shape of the uterus) can only be detected by a doctor during an in-person appointment.
In addition, pregnancy can be determined by the results of a blood test for the level of the hormone hCG.
- reliable signs, which include, say, the movement of the future baby, probing his heel or hand through the abdominal wall.
But, of course, this becomes possible already at a later stage of pregnancy.
Analyzes and medical examinations
In the first trimester, the expectant mother needs to be tested and examined:
- blood group and Rh factor;
- a smear on flora, sowing from the cervical canal;
- PCR for STIs;
- RK, cytology;
- blood test (clinical and biochemical);
- urine analysis (general);
- antibodies to syphilis, HIV, HBs Ag, HCV total;
- TORCH-complex, TSH, free T4;
- coagulogram (APTT, A3, TB, PT (INR), D-dimers, fibrinogen);
- Ultrasound + screening of the first trimester;
- consultations of a therapist, ophthalmologist, dentist, otolaryngologist.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is able to show the presence of the ovum after the first week of delay, that is, already in the second or third week of the conception period.
During an ultrasound scan, the doctor can not only confirm the fact of pregnancy, but also exclude the attachment of the ovum outside the uterus, determine the number of embryos, calculate the CTE (coccygeal-parietal size) of each of them, and establish the location of the chorion (embryo membrane).
Starting from four weeks, the heartbeat of the unborn baby is heard.
Screening
The use of complex (ultrasound TVP + biochemical tests) screening allows detecting Down syndrome in an unborn child in the first trimester of pregnancy in 85-90% of cases with 5% of false-positive results.
Comprehensive screening helps to identify not only the likelihood of a fetal chromosomal abnormality, but also the overall risk of pregnancy pathology.
PRISCA is a program registered for use in the Russian Federation that supports the calculation of risks during screening examinations of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. The calculation of risks is carried out using a combination of certain markers (in the first trimester these include the free beta subunit of hCG and PAPP) and ultrasound indicators (thickness of the fetal collar space, data on visualization of the nasal bone).
Screening of the first trimester is carried out in two stages:
- ultrasound screening;
- biochemical screening. This word refers to the collection of blood from a vein.
In the conclusion, quantitative indicators of risk assessment for trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) and trisomy 13/18 (Patau's syndrome and / or Edwards syndrome), as well as age-related risk, are indicated.
What does a child look like
After fertilization, the egg moves through the fallopian tubes to the uterus.
Embryo implantation is carried out on the sixth to eighth day after fertilization. How does this happen? The ovum settles on the surface of the endometrium and is attached to the wall of the uterus with the help of chorionic villi. The cells of the embryo are actively dividing.
This period plays a huge role in the development of the unborn child. The formation of the rudiments of the skeleton, as well as the nervous and muscular systems of the body, is already taking place. The future baby, who is not yet very human, has a head, limbs, a heart and, oddly enough, a tail. It also has a branchial cleft. If in the fifth week of pregnancy, the length of the embryo is on average 6 mm, then by the seventh week it doubles more! Can you imagine how fast the baby is growing? Now he has a tiny mouth and nose. Auricles are forming. All systems that began to form earlier continue to actively develop. Already at such a short time, the unborn baby develops skin sensitivity in the mouth area, which is a kind of preparation for the development of the sucking reflex.
By the ninth to tenth week, the growth of the fetus is approximately 20 mm. The branchial slits disappear.
On the ultrasound, you can hear the heart of the crumbs beating.
Now the entire surface of the baby's body is sensitive, and he learns new tactile sensations for him, touching everything around: the umbilical cord, his own body, the walls of the fetal bladder surrounding him.
The child is actively moving. Although the mother still cannot feel it, the baby is too small. Marigolds appear on the fingers and toes.
At a period of eleven to fourteen weeks, the growth of the baby (or rather, its coccygeal-parietal size) is about 13 cm, and the weight is close to 100 grams.
The baby tastes amniotic fluid. And now, by his facial expressions, one can understand whether he likes what his mother recently ate. For example, if it was something bitter, the baby will begin to frown and try to swallow less of the tasteless amniotic fluid.
The limbs are now fully formed. The child's movements become more coordinated.
With the help of the kidneys, urine is formed.
The genitals can already be distinguished.
Determining the sex of the child
Already at the end of the first trimester, you can try to find out the gender of the unborn baby. But it must be borne in mind that the accuracy of the predictions that an ultrasound doctor can give is not so great. This is due to the peculiarities of the formation of female and male organs at this stage of development.
However, by 14-15 weeks, the percentage of probable error in sex determination is noticeably reduced, and a good specialist who conducts research on an expert-level apparatus is likely to "guess" who will be born to you.
What happens in the first trimester of pregnancy - sensations
In the first trimester, a woman notes the following changes:
- increased body temperature and basal temperature;
- feeling unwell;
- increased breast tenderness;
- heaviness in the pelvic area;
- nausea, vomiting;
- mood swings.
Stomach ache
Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen at the beginning of pregnancy is not a cause for concern at all. In the very early stages, this may be a sign of successful attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus.
The pain caused by implantation may not be permanent. If it grows or does not stop for several days, this is a serious reason to see a doctor.
Back pain
Many women who are expecting a baby have back pain.
Back pain in early pregnancy can be both a natural physiological phenomenon and a sign of pathology. Normally, a woman may experience slight discomfort in the lower back, which is caused by softening of the ligaments and muscle relaxation. In addition, discomfort can occur due to a shift in the center of gravity.
The most common causes of pathological lower back pain in the first trimester include the threat of termination of pregnancy and infectious diseases of the urinary system.
Be sure to see your doctor if you notice any urinary disorders or fever. Pain in the back and lower abdomen, especially accompanied by uterine bleeding, indicates a miscarriage that has begun.
Allocations
Normally, the discharge should not have a specific odor and color.
If you notice that they have acquired a greenish or yellow tint, have begun to smell unpleasant or have changed their consistency, be sure to consult a doctor. These signs may indicate an infectious process, and timely treatment will help prevent dangerous complications.
Spotting in early pregnancy occurs in 75% of cases and most often indicates natural processes in a woman's body. However, the discharge of blood from the genital tract may also indicate the threat of termination of pregnancy, therefore, if this symptom is present, it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist.
Nausea
Scientists still cannot say for sure why pregnant women develop toxicosis. Most experts are inclined to believe that this condition is due to a sharp change in hormonal levels. Improper nutrition, endocrine and neurological pathologies, as well as diseases of the pelvic organs can be named as negative predisposing factors.
Nausea can be exacerbated by stress. According to the observations of specialists, this symptom is less often detected in women for whom pregnancy was expected and desired. In addition, physical overwork, lack of sleep and colds can provoke toxicosis. If the bouts of vomiting occur no more than three times a day and you are not losing weight, then you should not worry.
However, if you have signs of dehydration, weight loss, or any other symptoms, be sure to see your obstetrician-gynecologist.
Do's and don'ts in the first trimester of pregnancy
Of course, you must give up all bad habits and completely eliminate alcohol.
Stick to the principles of fractional meals, eating often, but little by little. Even if toxicosis does not allow you to enjoy your favorite dishes, in no case should you completely refuse to eat.
Be sure to monitor the regularity of your bowel movements. Constipation, which often occurs in pregnant women, can provoke intoxication. Get enough sleep, get more rest, and be less nervous.
You should not completely abandon physical activity, but the training program must be discussed with your instructor. Do not think that the absence of external signs of pregnancy allows you to practice in the same regimen and go on records.
But now you can and should go for a walk. Hiking can help you stay fit and boost your immunity.
Take folic acid, which can help prevent an unborn child from developing malformations.
Never take any medication without first consulting your doctor. Many of these can have a negative effect on the embryo.
Remember that X-rays are not allowed now.
Proper nutrition and diet
The body must receive a sufficient amount of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet is an important step towards having a healthy baby.
Try to eat a variety of foods, including meat and fish, milk and cereals, fruits and vegetables, herbs and nuts. At the same time, the daily calorie content of the diet should be increased by no more than 100 kilocalories.
The share of carbohydrates should be 55%, fats - 30%, proteins - 15%.
Breakfast and lunch should be the most dense. They account for 25-30 and 40% of the total daily caloric content, respectively. It is best to have lunch in the morning (until 13-30). Do not eat after 7 pm.
Try to eat more fruits and greens in summer, vegetables and nuts in winter.
Be sure to include fiber-rich foods in your diet. This will help you normalize your bowel movements and thereby prevent constipation.
Sport
Not all types of physical activity are allowed during pregnancy. At any time, the following will be useful:
- swimming (excluding jumping);
- yoga. The instructor must choose a suitable set of exercises for you, since you cannot perform some asanas now;
- Pilates, which helps to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area and also improves blood circulation;
- exercise using fitball, which can help reduce back pain and normalize blood pressure;
- special gymnastics that can be done in groups for pregnant women.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, when all the systems and organs of the unborn baby are laid, you should be very careful about fitness. The load when performing any type of exercise can be increased a little later, after the symptoms of toxicosis disappear.
- attend classes regularly, preferably three times a week;
- observe an interval of several hours between the last meal and exercise; Remember: only a doctor can prescribe any vitamin complexes!
- smoking, drinking alcohol;
- serious physical activity, active sports;
- overwork, stress;
- medications (they can only be taken as directed by a doctor);
- X-ray studies.
- Lack of menstruation. One of the main signs of pregnancy is the lack of regular bleeding. To understand why this is happening, you need to find out what menstruation is.
- Toilet calls. If you begin to notice that the urge to use the toilet has become more frequent, while you have begun to consume liquids many times more than usual, you can find an explanation for this. During pregnancy, the uterus begins to rapidly enlarge and press on the bladder. Therefore, you constantly feel the fullness of the latter and go to the toilet. But you drink more because of hormonal changes in the body. But more on that later;
- Hormonal changes and body response. For the first four months, your body is at the mercy of progesterone, it tunes your body to carry a baby, causing drowsiness and sluggishness;
- Nausea. Another frequent companion of the onset of pregnancy is nausea in the morning. If you wake up with this unpleasant sensation, run to the toilet at the sight of the dishes usual for your diet, get annoyed at the smell of fried meat, and instead start eating foods that you didn't really like before, then it won't hurt to take a pregnancy test. Signs on the face;
- Irritability. This sign may not tell you anything if you usually had overt PMS before your period. But there is also a justified explanation for irritation during pregnancy: changes in the body, a change in hormonal levels, physical fatigue and nausea, bouts of hunger and a change in taste priorities, add muscle pain to everything during the growth of the uterus;
- Swelling of the mammary glands. Again, the sign is not one hundred percent, especially if you have experienced breast swelling before your period. If the breast has increased more than usual, the halo around the nipple has darkened and increased in diameter, there is tingling and pain when touched, this may be a signal of pregnancy;
- Constipation. Constipation as a sign of the onset of pregnancy can be regarded only if you have not previously experienced this problem. There is a physiological explanation: the hormone progesterone was also noted in this area: your digestion also slows down, and the intestinal muscles become lazy;
- Change in psychological behavior. The sign, of course, is indirect, but it should not be discounted.
- Bloating. You may feel some intestinal discomfort, flatulence. As a result, bloating (more information can be found in the article: Bloating in early pregnancy >>>). To eliminate these unpleasant sensations, you need to revise the diet and adjust the stool, since constipation in the first trimester is more than guaranteed (more about constipation during pregnancy >>>);
- Pain. There is no need to talk about obvious severe pain in the first trimester of pregnancy, but pulling pain in the lower abdomen somewhere from 7 weeks can be caused by the rapidly increasing uterus in size (article on the topic: 7 weeks of pregnancy >>>);
- Dimensions. Changes in girth in the first trimester are not obvious, but if you have a fragile physique, then the tummy can already be noticed at the end of the third month. Another nuance is the fat folds at the bottom of the tummy. Even if you keep track of calories, you are not immune from such a belt, the body contributes to the appearance of a fat pad for protective purposes, as if warming the location of the fetus.
- Breast. In the first trimester, your breasts can significantly increase in volume, naturally, it will not do without pain. During this time, you need to keep your breasts warm and avoid drafts, especially if the pregnancy and childbirth is not the first. When the temperature rises or when hardening is felt, we can talk about mastitis. (related article: When does the breast start to hurt during pregnancy? >>>);
- Stomach. Moderate pulling abdominal pain in the first trimester is tolerated. Violations can be signaled by severe acute pain, especially localization;
- Headache. At the beginning of pregnancy, your blood pressure may drop, which is most likely accompanied by headaches (related article: Headache during pregnancy >>>). Do not rush to run to the pharmacy for medicines, try to raise the pressure with a cup of coffee or tea, take a walk in the fresh air, or just lie down and rest (about whether you can drink coffee during this period, read the article Can I drink coffee during pregnancy >>>.
- Folic acid. This substance is responsible for the baby's neural tube, which forms in the first month of fetal development;
- Vitamin E. It is simply necessary during the planning period and at the very beginning of pregnancy, it is important for the placenta, which begins to form from 5-6 days after fertilization;
- Vitamin A. One cannot do without this helper in the development of bone tissues and visual organs, it is important to provide a sufficient amount of this vitamin from the second month of pregnancy;
- Iodine. The thyroid gland develops already in the second month of the baby's prenatal development, so enrich your diet with iodine-containing foods.
- Calcium. If you do not want the baby to completely take the building material from you, then use it in sufficient quantity for both of you, otherwise the nails and teeth will not make themselves felt from the best side;
- Iron. Lack of this trace element is fraught with a decrease in hemoglobin and the development of anemia;
- Phosphorus. If you want your baby to have strong bones, then eat foods high in phosphorus, such as fish;
- Magnesium. This miracle element is responsible for the normal tone of the uterus, muscle elasticity and the nervous system, both yours and yours.
- Genetic predisposition. If your family or your husband had frozen pregnancies, you must tell your doctor about this, he will prescribe additional tests, including a consultation with a geneticist;
- Abortion. When you have a history of termination of pregnancy, especially in the long term, the risk of fetal freezing increases;
- Certain diseases. Diseases caused by viruses, bacteria or other inflammatory processes without proper treatment or with a complicated course can cause the pregnancy to fade;
- Genital infections. The risk of termination of pregnancy is significantly increased when a genital infectious disease is diagnosed, such as chlamydia or mycoplasmosis.
- Loss of strength, lethargy and drowsiness;
- Increased body temperature;
- Unreasonable cessation of toxicosis in the first months;
- Disappearance of breast swelling;
- Profuse discharge.
- White curd discharge in the first trimester of pregnancy will tell you about candidiasis. You need to be tested for fungal infections and take the necessary treatment. Learn more from the article Thrush during pregnancy >>>;
- A greenish tint with an unpleasant odor signals genital infections;
- A yellow or brown tint of discharge with purulent intersperses is already an inflammatory process caused by staphylococcus or Escherichia coli. Also, you can find useful information in the article Brown discharge during pregnancy >>>;
- A rich brown color or bright red in the first trimester is unacceptable: this can be a signal of placental abruption, bleeding or fetal freezing.
- The list of drugs approved for treatment in the first trimester is minimized, the risk of developing pathologies or miscarriage after using potent drugs is very high. Aspirin and its analogs, vasoconstrictor nasal drops, antibiotics and herbs, which can cause bleeding and miscarriage, are contraindicated. You can not take hot baths, put cans and soar your feet;
- The placenta still weakly protects the fetus from viruses, intrauterine infection is possible, and as a result - a violation in the development of the neural tube and further the baby's nervous system;
- It is easy to confuse a cold and rubella in the initial stages, and if the first does not pose a significant danger to the child, then rubella in the first trimester may become an indication for termination of pregnancy.
- The protective functions of the body in the first trimester are reduced to zero, so that the susceptibility to various kinds of infections increases. In the first weeks of development, the risk of infection of a fetus that is not yet protected by the placenta is very high;
- Your body, including the genitals at the beginning of pregnancy, undergoes significant changes, the vagina during this period is looser and more vulnerable, during intercourse there is a risk of damage and erosion in the future;
- There is a risk of increased uterine tone during intercourse.
- feeling of "heaviness" in the lower abdomen;
- aching, pulling pains (similar in character to premenstrual pains);
- bloody discharge from the genital tract of any intensity (from scanty smearing to profuse).
- You need to adjust your daily routine to ensure you get enough sleep (at least 8 hours at night) and leave 1–2 hours for outdoor walks. Often, pregnant women in the first trimester experience a pronounced need for daytime sleep, which is due to the influence of hormones, so it is desirable to provide an opportunity to sleep during the day for 1-2 hours.
- Physical activity should be within the usual, everyday. However, for the sake of precaution, it is necessary to exclude heavy lifting, sudden jumps, loads associated with the tension of the abdominal muscles, strength training.
- You need to protect yourself as much as possible from adverse factors that can harm you and your unborn baby: avoid stressful situations, work night shifts, refrain from being in a smoky room, and even more so do not smoke yourself, completely exclude the use of alcoholic beverages.
- Minimize the likelihood of contact with people with colds, especially if the first months of pregnancy occur during periods of seasonal increases in incidence.
- It is recommended to take vitamin complexes for pregnant women: it is they that contain the optimal doses of vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal growth and development of the fetus. Of particular importance is the intake of folic acid in the first trimeter of pregnancy. This substance plays a special role in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks), as it participates in the process of active cell division, the establishment and development of organs and tissues of the embryo. It has been proven that with a lack of folic acid intake during pregnancy, malformations of the nervous system of the fetus are formed, leading to spontaneous miscarriages or the birth of sick children. Folic acid can be taken both as part of vitamin complexes for pregnant women, and separately, the gynecologist will recommend the necessary dose to you.
- To ensure the successful course of pregnancy, you must register with the antenatal clinic. The optimal period for this is 8-10 weeks, since examination in the first trimester with the aim of early detection of concomitant diseases and their timely treatment are the key to the birth of a healthy child. When registering, a number of standard mandatory examinations are carried out, which will make it possible to comprehensively assess the health of the expectant mother. When registering, healthy pregnant women will be assigned blood tests - general and biochemical, blood clotting test (coagulogram), general urinalysis, testing for syphilis and HIV, hepatitis B and C, infections that can provoke the formation of fetal malformations (cytomegalovirus, rubella , herpes, toxoplasmosis). Also, electrocardiography (ECG) will be performed, consultations of doctors - therapist, dentist, ophthalmologist, ENT will be held.
- At a period of 10-12 weeks, to identify an increased risk of genetic abnormalities and fetal malformations, biochemical screening is performed - the so-called "double" test - a blood test for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A).
The amount of vitamin A entering the body should be closely monitored, since both a deficiency and an excess of retinol can negatively affect the development of the unborn child. The daily dose should be 3333 IU.
Lutein has a positive effect on the development of the baby's brain.
Rutin strengthens the walls of the capillaries, making them elastic, prevents stagnation of blood in the veins and helps to reduce swelling in the legs.
Sex
If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, there is no reason to end the intimate relationship. However, in the first trimester, women often have a decrease in libido, which is associated with increased fatigue, mood swings and bouts of nausea (that is, general malaise, initially provoked by hormonal changes).
Contraindications
You can only understand the full meaning of the words "The Miracle of Motherhood" by becoming a mother. Just imagine what an amazing moment the birth and development of a new life is.
Of course, pregnancy brings not only feelings of joy, but also some discomfort. But if you know about all the manifestations and physiology of your new position, then you can minimize discomfort and take the necessary measures in time. Let's see what is special about the first trimester of pregnancy, what can and cannot be done during this period.
Signs of pregnancy in the first trimester
Surely you have heard about the main sign of pregnancy - delayed menstruation. But you have also heard about situations when women find out about their interesting position for a period of 3 or more months, and all this time they had regular periods. The signs of pregnancy are considered in a complex, and do not forget that all sensations and changes have an individual manifestation.
Once a month, a new egg cell is formed in your body, and if fertilization has not occurred, it, together with the "old" layers of the mucous membrane, leaves the body. But after meeting with the sperm, the egg receives a new task and the process of fetal development starts;
Important! But know that this process is rather the exception than the norm, and your doctor should be informed about the discharge during your pregnancy.
Your external activity in this period is reduced to nothing, since energy is needed for internal processes in your body. You felt that you constantly want to sleep, you feel dizzy in the morning, even fainting - congratulations, you are pregnant.
You may not yet know about your pregnancy, but already tenderly gaze at the babies on the playground, or instead of a boutique with the novelties of the season, wander into the department of booties and diapers. Or maybe you are already crying over melodramas or having noticed leaves on the trees? No wonder, for your new position, all this excessive sensitivity is the norm.
Please note that you need to consider all these signs comprehensively and all manifestations are individual.
First trimester of pregnancy: belly
You know that it is difficult to hide a pregnancy from the view of strangers, but this is at a later date. The belly in the first trimester of pregnancy does not grow significantly, but you will feel certain changes.
There may be pain in the sacral area if the uterus presses on the sciatic nerve. All sensations should not be acute, if the pains do not subside, and you are not able to endure them, you urgently need to consult a specialist.
Despite the minimal visible changes in your tummy, it is no longer desirable to sleep on it. Get in the habit of resting on your back or side.
Pain in the first trimester of pregnancy
Moderate abdominal or chest pain is normal. Acute pain is another matter.
With inflammatory processes, you may feel pain in a specific area, for example, on the left side with inflammation of the left ovary (learn more from the article what to do if you feel pain in the left side during pregnancy >>>). If the pain in the lower abdomen is accompanied by a discharge with blood clots, there is a danger of miscarriage. The growing pain that does not go away is also a signal of danger, for example, of an ectopic pregnancy.
Vitamins in the first trimester of pregnancy
Although pregnancy is not considered a disease, but as experienced mothers say, this is a special state of mind, but you should not forget about vitamins. Every day the child intensively grows and develops, he needs nutrients and vitamins, and since he extracts all this from your diet, you need to think over your vitamin menu.
Vitamins for the baby
Vitamins for you
Do not forget about yourself, beloved, add to your diet foods rich in vitamin C to resist colds and viruses, vitamin E for the skin and vitamin B, which will help to overcome toxicosis. Vitamins in the first trimester of pregnancy will help you quickly adapt to a new position and enjoy the delights of carrying a baby.
Trace elements during pregnancy
In addition to vitamins, you need to enrich the diet with useful microelements that both you and your child will need.
The need for vitamins and microelements in your position doubles or even more times, and often simply due to food it is not possible to cover the needs of the body. In this case, consider taking a pharmacy vitamin complex designed specifically for pregnant women.
Frozen pregnancy: signs in the first trimester
I would not like to scare you, but there is a phenomenon of frozen pregnancy and it is worth knowing about it. It is dangerous, first of all, because it can be asymptomatic, and a woman simply cannot guess, especially if a frozen pregnancy occurs in the first trimester.
The reasons can be very varied. Consider risk groups:
This question has not been fully studied to this day, and doctors cannot give an exact answer to what causes fetal freezing. Pregnant women from the described risk zone should be more attentive to their health and listen to every change in their condition.
Signs of a frozen pregnancy.
In this case, you cannot independently establish a diagnosis; only ultrasound will give a residual verdict.
First trimester of pregnancy: discharge
The norm in 1 trimeter of pregnancy is considered to be a transparent or whitish discharge, an insignificant volume (a disposable pad for a day is enough) and without a pronounced odor. All other consistencies signal problems to you.
All of these cases are cause for concern; you should not postpone a visit to the laboratory.
Colds - first trimester of pregnancy
A banal cold in the first trimester of pregnancy can be a real challenge.
Sex in the first trimester of pregnancy
Caution in the first weeks of pregnancy has not prevented anyone, so abstaining from marital debt during this period is only encouraged.
If you feel great, while there is a sex drive and a corresponding mood, you should not avoid intimacy. Sex in the first trimester of pregnancy may only change its nature and hygiene requirements (read the article
The entire period of pregnancy is usually divided into three approximately equal periods of time, which are called trimesters. is counted from the first day of the last menstruation to 12 weeks (during this period, fertilization occurs - the fusion of the egg and sperm and the formation of the organs of the fetus and placenta). The second trimester lasts from 13 to 28 weeks (at this time, the fetus is actively growing and developing). From 29 weeks to the moment of delivery, the third trimester of pregnancy takes place (28 weeks is the border between the second and third trimesters, because a fetus born after 28 weeks of pregnancy, with appropriate treatment and nursing, is capable of further growth and development outside the mother's body).
It should be noted that the calculation of the obstetric gestational age, which is displayed in the antenatal clinic, during ultrasound examination and when calculating the expected date of birth, is usually carried out not from the moment when conception occurred, but from the first day of the last menstruation. The embryonic gestational age is also distinguished, the calculation of which is carried out from the moment of conception (as a rule, it is two weeks less than obstetric). Calculating the obstetric period is more convenient, because the exact date of conception is rather difficult to determine, and the date of the first day of the last menstruation is almost always the expectant mother's.
Embryo development
The lifespan of an egg while waiting for fertilization is 24 hours, and the period of viability of spermatozoa is 3-5 days. If, after the release of a mature egg from the ovary (which usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle), it meets and merges together with the sperm, fertilization occurs, as a result of which a single-celled embryo is formed - a zygote, which gives rise to the complex process of laying all organs and systems unborn child.
A day after fertilization, which takes place in the ampullary (expanded) section of the fallopian tube, the embryo begins its way to the place of permanent "dislocation" - into the uterine cavity, while continuously dividing.
From 4 days in the embryo, consisting of a group of cells similar to a raspberry berry (at this stage of development, it is called morula), the process of embryogenesis begins - the laying of all organs and tissues. 5-7 days after fertilization, having reached the uterine cavity, the embryo, which during this period is in the blastocyst stage and consists of about 200 cells, begins the process of penetration into the uterine mucosa - implantation, which occurs on the 21-24th day of the menstrual cycle. In the process of implantation, the continuously dividing cells of the embryo secrete special enzymes that melt the area of the uterine mucous membrane - the endometrium, and penetrate inside. After implantation, the smallest blood vessels of the outer part of the blastocyst and the endometrium merge, through which the life support of the embryo begins (until the moment of implantation, it fed on its own reserves, which are significantly depleted by the time it enters the uterine cavity). In the future, the chorion is formed from these vessels, and then the placenta, which is the most important organ that carries out nutrition and growth of the fetus.
The dividing cells of the embryo form 3 sheets, which provide the basis for certain organs and tissues. The outer leaf gives rise to the development of the skin, hair and nails, teeth, epithelium of the ears, eyes and nose, and the nervous system. From the middle leaf, the notochord is formed - the basis of the future spine, skeletal muscles, cartilage, internal organs, blood vessels, sex glands. The cells of the inner layer will form the epithelium of the respiratory and digestive systems, liver and pancreas.
After the completion of implantation, the outer cells of the embryo (trophoblast) begin to synthesize a hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which, spreading with the blood flow through the body of the expectant mother, gives a signal for hormonal restructuring of its organs and systems in connection with the onset of pregnancy. Thus, from the 10th day after fertilization (which corresponds to the 24th day of the menstrual cycle), hCG, by which one can judge the presence of pregnancy, begins to be determined in the blood and a little later in the urine of the pregnant woman.
By the end of the first month of pregnancy (at 4 weeks), the embryo looks like a tube, at one end of which there is a thickening - the future head of the child, at the other end - the rudiment of the tailbone. The heart begins to form, which still has a single-chamber structure, the nervous system (21 days after conception, the brain and spinal cord are laid down). At 4 weeks, the rudiments of internal organs, eye sockets, limbs are formed. The size of the embryo by the end of the first month is about 1.5 mm.
In the second month of pregnancy (at 5–8 weeks), the embryo looks like a “comma” due to the large size of the head, which makes up more than one third of the body, and not yet very developed limbs. During this period, there is a process of rapid growth (its rates reach 2–3? Mm per day!), Amniotic fluid begins to be produced, in which the unborn child spends the entire period of intrauterine existence, through which the fetus metabolizes and which performs a protective (shock-absorbing) function. There are 4 cavities on the head of the embryo, where the eyes and ears are formed. The central nervous system is actively developing: the layers of the cerebral hemispheres are laid. By the end of the second month of pregnancy, a tiny heart begins to contract in the embryo (this can be seen with ultrasound), the kidneys begin to function, there is a nose and mouth on the small face, fingers are formed on the limbs, which are still tightened with membranes, the muscles acquire the ability to contract. By the end of the second month of pregnancy, the growth of the embryo reaches 2.5 cm.
By the beginning of 3 months of pregnancy (9-12 weeks), the period of laying of human organs ends - the embryonic period, the embryo acquires a characteristic human appearance, therefore after 8 weeks of development (or 45 days after fertilization) it is already called a fetus: the so-called fruit period begins development.
Within 3 months, the baby continues to actively grow and develop: the heart already has a four-chambered structure, like in an adult, facial features become clearer, the stomach and intestines are formed, the limbs and fingers are fully formed, on which tiny marigolds grow, convolutions are formed in the brain and grooves. Muscles are actively working, due to which the fetus moves its arms and legs (but due to its too small size, the expectant mother cannot yet feel these movements), the fetus can also clench and unclench its fists, open and close its mouth. The cartilaginous tissue that makes up the fetal skeleton begins to harden at the so-called ossification points. The skin of the unborn child at this stage is very thin, blood vessels are visible through it, due to which the skin has a red color. The growth of the fetus by the end of the third month of pregnancy is already 9–10 cm, weight - 13–14 g.
1 trimester: feelings of a woman
During the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother is actively reconstructing to a new mode of operation (the volume of circulating blood gradually increases, the heart, lungs and kidneys begin to work in an enhanced mode, etc.), in which everything is aimed at bearing and developing the fetus. In this regard, even in healthy pregnant women, changes are often observed in both the physiological and psychological spheres of life. It must be remembered that these changes are temporary and are signs of a restructuring of the hormonal background, which is necessary for the normal growth and development of the unborn baby.
General well-being. So, at a time when you may not yet know that a new life has arisen within you, you may feel general weakness, rapid fatigue, constant sleepiness, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, the inability to concentrate on any important matter, periodically dizziness that occurs. These symptoms are among the earliest signs of pregnancy and are associated with the effect of the hormone progesterone (which begins to be produced by the ovary from the moment of fertilization) on vascular tone. The vessels of the uterus and small pelvis at the onset of pregnancy significantly expand, which is necessary for the relaxation of the uterus and good blood supply to the embryo. Due to the fact that the vessels of the body of the expectant mother are in an expanded state and a large amount of blood accumulates in the pelvic organs, a pregnant woman in the first trimester often has a decrease in blood pressure, the symptoms of which are weakness, drowsiness and other ailments listed.
Psychoemotional sphere. The first trimester of pregnancy is characterized by sharp mood swings, instability of psychoemotional reactions, which can be manifested by excessive resentment, the appearance of tears for no apparent reason, reactions to ordinary stimuli that are uncharacteristic for this woman. These changes can have varying degrees of severity, as well as different durations: for some, the phenomena of emotional lability (as these manifestations are called by experts) disappear a few weeks after the onset of pregnancy, and in some women they are noted throughout the first trimester or even the entire pregnancy, which depends on the initial characteristics of the character, reaction and relationships of the people around the expectant mother. Mood swings are caused by significant hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Change in appetite. During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women experience changes in appetite, as well as a strong preference for certain foods. Some pregnant women note a sharp decrease in appetite, especially in the morning, which may be associated with the phenomena of early toxicosis, others recall the constant irrepressible desire to eat during the first months of pregnancy. Someone has an irresistible desire to eat something sweet or salty, others have an aversion to the taste or smell of any food. In some cases, the food addictions of pregnant women take on exotic forms: expectant mothers feel like eating chalk, sand, etc. benefit to the body of the expectant mother and growing baby. So, pickled cucumbers can be replaced with crackers or nuts, sweets - with dried fruits or granola bars, soda - with fresh juices or natural fruit drinks.
Metamorphoses of eating behavior can be associated with a deficiency in the expectant mother of precisely those substances that she lacks for the growth and development of the fetus (protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, certain trace elements), therefore the body persistently requires precisely the missing components, showing this by a change in taste preferences ... Therefore, if you notice a craving for unusual products or completely inedible things, you need to inform the doctor who is observing your pregnancy so that he can identify the lack of which substances are associated with a change in taste preferences, and give the necessary recommendations for their replenishment.
As a result of hormonal changes in a woman's body during pregnancy, there is an aversion to the taste and even smell of any products (most often meat and fish). In such cases, you should not overpower yourself, as you can always find an alternative - for example, if you cannot look at meat, then dairy products, legumes, etc. can be an excellent source of protein. Remember that all these "pregnancy fads" are transient , and as the pregnancy progresses, everything will gradually fall into place.
Condition of the skin and mammary glands... In addition to changes in mood and appetite, the expectant mother already in the first trimester of pregnancy can feel external changes that may affect the skin, as well as the state of the mammary glands. Since the mammary glands are hormone-dependent organs, under the influence of hormonal changes that occur in connection with pregnancy, women from the first weeks of pregnancy may notice a feeling of fullness (engorgement), tingling, discomfort and even soreness in the chest area. Any, even a light touch to the mammary glands can be unpleasant. As a rule, they spontaneously disappear by the end of the first - the beginning of the second month of pregnancy. In the area of the areola (areola) of the mammary glands, under the influence of estrogen hormones, pigmentation increases, increasing throughout the entire period of gestation.
At 3 months of pregnancy, there may be an onset of enlargement of the mammary glands and nipples in volume, which is due to the active proliferation of glandular tissue to prepare the breast for lactation. If breast growth occurs very quickly, stretch marks may appear on the skin - striae; at first they are red in color, and turn pale over time. Stretch marks are skin tears that are replaced by connective tissue as the skin does not have time to adapt to such a rapid increase in breast volume. The possibility of the appearance of stretch marks is due to the individual characteristics of the structure of the skin of the expectant mother. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely remove stretch marks, but over time they will become much less noticeable.
You can take measures in advance against the appearance of stretch marks, and then they either do not appear at all, or they will be expressed minimally. To avoid the appearance of stretch marks, it is necessary to closely monitor the dynamics of weight gain, avoiding sharp jumps and large gains in a short period of time (normally, a pregnant woman adds 300-400 g per week). Particular attention should be paid to skin care during pregnancy, since today there is a wide range of special products to prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin of the chest, abdomen and thighs. It is necessary to use creams for the prevention of stretch marks, containing nutrients, vitamins, collagen, after a warm shower 1-2 times a day, which helps to moisturize the skin, increases its elasticity.
As pregnancy progresses, under the influence of estrogens on the skin of the face, in some cases, pigmentation of the skin in the face area may increase - forehead, cheeks, chin, upper lip. The risk group for the appearance of hyperpigmentation includes brunettes, women with dark skin. Also, expectant mothers who spend a lot of time in the open sun have a risk of increased pigmentation. As a rule, pigmentation disappears on its own after childbirth, but in rare cases, to one degree or another, it can persist for a long time.
Perhaps you will be interested in the article "1st trimester: I'm pregnant, what should I do?" On the website mamaexpert.ru
Possible complications
Early toxicosis. The very first complication that a pregnant woman may face is undoubtedly early toxicosis. Most often, it is manifested by nausea, especially disturbing a woman in the morning, and vomiting, which in severe cases can occur up to several dozen times a day. More rare symptoms of early toxicosis are salivation (while the amount of saliva secreted can reach a liter or more per day), dermatoses (skin manifestations, most often in the form of itching), etc. Finally, the mechanism of early toxicosis is not clear, but it has been established that the development of this complication of pregnancy is due to violations of the regulatory influence of the central nervous system on changes in organs and systems of the woman's body in connection with pregnancy. If early toxicosis is mild (vomiting occurs no more than 3-5 times a day, the general condition of the pregnant woman is not significantly disturbed), then the treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.
In case of early toxicosis, fractional meals are recommended: to make yourself feel better, you can have breakfast immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed, you need to eat often - after 2-3 hours, in small portions. It is important to normalize the daily routine (sufficient sleep duration, exclusion of work at night, etc.), the creation of a therapeutic and protective regime - protection from any stressful situations, obtaining the maximum amount of positive emotions. Early toxicosis of medium (vomiting up to 10-12 times a day, signs of dehydration appear) and severe (vomiting 20 or more times a day, severe dehydration) should be treated in a hospital setting.
The threat of termination of pregnancy... The second most common complication that can develop during the first trimester is the threat of spontaneous miscarriage. This fact is due to the fact that during this period of pregnancy, when the processes of active growth and development of the fetus and placenta occur, there is an increased sensitivity to damaging factors, which can lead to termination of pregnancy, death of the embryo or the occurrence of fetal malformation. Such periods, when the fetus is especially vulnerable to exposure to damaging factors, are called critical periods of pregnancy.
In the 1st trimester, the number of critical periods is maximum: the first such period is the moment of implantation of the ovum (the first 2-3 weeks of pregnancy), the next is the period of organogenesis (3-7 weeks, when the tissues and organs of the fetus are laid) and placentation (9-12 weeks pregnancy, when the placenta is actively forming). That is, in fact, almost the entire first trimester of pregnancy is a critical period. Adverse factors that can have a negative impact on the course of pregnancy are harmful environmental conditions (high temperature, radiation, vibration, hypoxia, etc.), infection, hormonal disorders, taking medications contraindicated for pregnant women, stress and overwork, and also physical overload.
Signs of threatened abortion are:
If the above symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. In the presence of only pulling pains in the lower abdomen, treatment begins on an outpatient basis. If there is no effect of such treatment or spotting appears, the expectant mother is hospitalized for treatment and observation in a hospital.
Rules of behavior
From the moment pregnancy is established, a number of simple rules must be observed, thanks to which complications can be avoided:
If the expectant mother has any chronic diseases, the volume of examination and consultations of narrow specialists will increase depending on the type of pathology.
At 11-12 weeks of pregnancy, the first ultrasound is also prescribed, the purpose of which is to establish the fact of the presence of uterine pregnancy and the viability of the fetus, determine the gestational age, and identify pathology in the development of the fetus. It must be remembered that an ultrasound scan must be done exactly at the time recommended by the gynecologist conducting your pregnancy. The fact is that some of the symptoms that indicate a malfunction in the development of the baby are informative only at clearly defined periods of pregnancy.
An example is the size of the collar zone of the fetus, an increase in which may signal the risk of developing Down syndrome. But this symptom is informative only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Considering that the diagnosis of genetic disorders of fetal development is still quite difficult today, it becomes clear the need for strict adherence to the timing of additional studies in the first trimester of pregnancy.
