Getting pregnant for the first time can be daunting. Everything is new to you, and embarking on this chapter thrills you with how the growing life inside you marks a new chapter of your life.
Bodies respond differently. You’ll get varied stories if you ask moms how their first pregnancies turned out. As a first-time mom, knowing what to expect is important in helping you prepare for a healthy pregnancy journey. It makes the experience less intimidating, knowing that people in the same position as you have the same or similar experiences.
Here are things you should expect on your first pregnancy journey:
First Trimester to Third Trimester: What to Expect
1. First Trimester
In the first trimester, your body will go through so many changes as you release hormones that will affect almost every organ in your body. Just like every start of pregnancy, you’ll notice that you missed your period. In your first weeks of pregnancy, you might experience tender breasts, food cravings, morning sickness, weight gain, headaches, mood swings, tiredness, upset stomach, and constipation.
2. Second Trimester
Many women think the second trimester is a lot better than other periods of pregnancy. At this stage, the morning sickness and fatigue will be gone. You’ll feel better overall. This is also the time you get to know the sex of your baby. Some changes you might experience in the second trimester are hair growth, hemorrhoids, backache, discharge, skin changes, and leg cramps.
3. Third Trimester
In the third trimester, you’ll experience some changes that can be challenging. It’s almost time for the baby to arrive, which can be exciting or make you anxious. Here are some changes you might experience: significant weight gain, swelling, frequent urination, shortness of breath, heartburn, and spider & varicose veins.
Pregnancy Complications to Look Out for
Pregnancies are complicated, especially with heightened risks for both of you. Here are some risks you should look out for:
1. Gestational Diabetes
This is a condition where your blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but it is more common in the second or third trimester. This can cause problems for you and your baby. Though gestational diabetes goes away after giving birth, it can affect your baby’s health, and it raises your risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life. Symptoms rarely show up and most find it out during a routine screening, but here are signs that you have gestational diabetes:
- You’re thirstier than usual
- You’re hungrier and eat more than usual
- You pee more than usual
How does this affect your newborn? Your baby would probably be healthy if you and your doctor manage your blood sugar. Gestational diabetes raises the chance that your baby will be larger than normal.
To prevent having gestational diabetes, you can lower your risk before you get pregnant by:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Staying active
- Losing extra weight
2. Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection (UTI) affects your kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs are more common during pregnancy because of hormones. These cause changes in the urinary tract, making women more likely to get infections.
UTIs can cause complications during pregnancy and cause pyelonephritis, a UTI that spreads from the bladder to the kidneys. If you’re pregnant, it can cause:
- Preterm labor
- Severe infection
- Adult respiratory distress syndrome
- Anemia
- Long-term infection
3. Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. When left untreated, it can lead to serious, even fatal complications for you and your baby.
Some symptoms of preeclampsia are:
- Excess protein in the urine or additional signs of kidney problems
- Severe headaches
- Changes in vision
- Upper abdominal pain, usually under your ribs on the right side
- Nausea
- Decreased urine output
- Decreased levels of platelets in your blood
- Impaired liver functions
- Shortness of breath
4. Weight gain
Weight gain is normal when you’re pregnant, but being overweight raises the risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index are some factors that can affect weight gain during pregnancy. Weight gain raises the risk of a large baby that can lead to complications like premature birth or the need for a C-section.
How to keep a healthy pregnancy
These are some healthy pregnancy tips you should follow or keep in mind for a healthy pregnancy journey. These are things you should keep in mind to help increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
I. Regular Check-ups
This is non-negotiable. Pregnancy check-ups can help you be confident in avoiding pregnancy-related complications, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. During pregnancy checkups, doctors can also prescribe prenatal vitamins to promote the healthy development of the fetus inside the womb.
II. Nutrition
This also will always be a part of pregnancy guides, as it is one of the most essential in having a healthy pregnancy. The mother’s diet is important, as she is eating for two.
1. Protein
This is essential for the unborn baby’s development. It is crucial for ensuring the proper growth of the baby’s tissues and organs, including the brain. It even plays a role in increasing your blood supply, allowing more blood to be sent to your baby.
2. Fiber
This helps prevent constipation. Because of the hormone-slowed digestive system and organ-displacing womb, many pregnant women will experience constipation, leading to hemorrhoids.
Consuming lots of fiber can help with constipation and keep your regular bowels moving. Last, this also helps with pregnancy weight gains.
3. Prenatal Vitamins
These are supplements made for pregnant women to give their bodies the vitamins and minerals needed for their pregnancy. This aids both the baby’s development and also the mother’s health.
III. What to avoid
Pregnancy guides advise quitting smoking and alcohol during pregnancy. Smoking can cause preterm births and stillbirths. Alcohol may cause various physical defects and problems in the brain and central nervous system of the baby. Though most love to have their daily coffee, expecting mothers should skip the morning brew. Caffeine raises the risk for hypertension that links to problems with the baby’s growth and development.
IV. Exercise
Exercising has always been essential in maintaining our physical and mental state. We may think exercising can harm the baby, but we encourage aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises to help manage some symptoms of pregnancy.
V. Prenatal Classes
This is a great opportunity to learn for first-time parents. This is usually recommended for those who are around their sixth month of pregnancy. These classes teach what to expect during labor and delivery, how to cope with the pain, how to breastfeed, and many more. This can benefit both you and the baby, as this will prepare you physically and mentally for the things that might happen in your pregnancy journey.
Expecting your first child is a milestone every new mother looks forward to. It is important to be always ready for the changes to happen to you and your body. Always remember to consult with your doctor to keep a healthy pregnancy!
You got this, soon-to-be mommies!
sources: drjohnmacey.com, osfhealthcare.org, healthline.com, freepik.com
