Pregnancy - First trimester

The first three months of pregnancy take the embryo from a single free-floating cell to a formed two-inch recognizable fetus. The mother's breasts enlarge to prepare for the production of milk. The uterus increases in size to make room for the growing fetus and the surrounding liquid, called the amnion . The placenta forms to process the mother's blood and carry nutrients and water to the fetus. The umbilical cord is the connection between the mother and her child. Through this cord the nutrients travel to the baby and waste material travels back to be processed out by the mother's system.

Because of the direct link between the mother's blood and the baby's blood, the mother must be diligent about the foods and drugs she ingests. Many chemicals can pass through the placenta; some will do irreparable harm to the forming baby. Alcohol, caffeine, chemicals from cigarette smoke, and some medications will pass through the placenta and have been shown to harm the developing fetus. In large quantities, they can cause brain damage, deformity, or death. Any medication should be approved by the pregnant woman's obstetrician before use.

The first examination should be to confirm your pregnancy and run an initial screening for health problems and general health history. A complete physical will either be done then or at a following appointment.

At your first visit with your obstetrician, after you know you are pregnant, your doctor should give you information on what to expect.

During Pregnancy

A pregnant woman needs special foods to maintain her own health as well as to safeguard the health of her baby. She should have additional vitamin D, folic acid, and iron, usually recommended as dietary supplements. More important for most women is the provision of adequate protein in the diet to prevent toxemia of pregnancy or underweight babies. Between 70 and 85 grams of protein a day should be eaten during pregnancy, even if this results in a weight gain of as much as 25 pounds. Adequate nutrition is more important than restricting weight gain to 20 pounds or less.

Morning Sickness

During the second and third months of pregnancy, usually, morning sickness may plague the expectant mother. With the raised hormone levels, and the increased pressure on the internal organs from the growing uterus, the stomach can become easily upset. Morning sickness usually occurs during the first hours after awakening, and can start immediately upon rising.

Although the mechanism of morning sickness is not understood, it is believed that the combination of having gone all night without food and the pressure on the stomach from lying down create the nausea. Munching on crackers and dry toast before arising and continuing to snack through the day will help. Some women experience morning sickness throughout the day; others never experience it. Morning sickness can range from slight nausea to regular vomiting and increased inability to hold down food.

Frequent Urination

As the uterus grows it puts pressure on the surrounding organs. This pressure will shift during the pregnancy from the bladder to the intestines, then to the lungs, as the size of the uterus expands. During the first trimester the main pressure occurs on the bladder, creating the need for the pregnant woman to urinate more frequently. It may cause her to awaken at night to use the bathroom.

Fatigue

Many women experience fatigue during the first trimester of pregnancy. Some women will also continue to experience fatigue throughout the pregnancy. Others experience a respite from being tired during the second trimester. Some of the fatigue may come from restless sleep or interrupted sleep caused by changes in the mother's body. It also stems from the shift of energy to the developing fetus, taxing the mother's body. This new draw of energy requires an increased intake of food by the mother to compensate for the increased need. Despite the fact that the mother may not look pregnant, her nutritional needs increase immediately upon becoming pregnant.