A pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each lasting nine months (40 weeks or 280 days). Each trimester comes with its own collection of dangers.
Most women feel nauseous, vomit, and lose their appetite during the first three months of pregnancy, also known as the first trimester. This may indicate that the fetus isn't getting enough nutrients, and the mother is showing symptoms of vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Vaginal bleeding is a dangerous disease that can affect women at any point of their pregnancy and can endanger both the mother and the baby's lives. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can seek medical help from an obstetrician and gynaecologist right away.
The first trimester applies to the first three months of pregnancy, with medical practitioners classifying the entire pregnancy into three trimesters, totaling nine months (40 weeks or 280 days). However, some pregnancies can last up to 42 weeks (294 days), and each of these three trimesters comes with its own set of risks.
Fetal growth and development during the first trimester
The age of a pregnancy is measured by counting backward from the woman's last date, and the fetus' subsequent development is graded in terms of structural growth and organ function development.
The central and spinal nervous systems of the fetus display signs of development at 5-6 weeks.
The fetus is normally about 2.5-6 cm long at 8-12 weeks, with a large head, noticeable development in the arms and legs, and the beginnings of a heartbeat.
Factors that affect fetal growth
Genetics, climate, diet, and the mother's actions are among them.
The fetus's growth will be affected by genes and genetic abnormalities found in the family, putting it at risk, particularly if the mother has a history of either of the following types of pregnancies:
- A fatality of a child during or after birth, as well as at least two miscarriages prior to the current pregnancy.
- An untimely birth (before the pregnancy reached 37 weeks).
- Preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, overt diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune disorders are also possible causes.
The climate is an important aspect that should not be ignored. Toxins found in the home, in cleaning products, or other household products that may have been contaminated with chemicals, as well as smoke in houses where residents smoke indoors, may all affect a pregnancy.
The internal state of the pregnancy is often referred to as the setting, which includes the amniotic sac, amniotic fluid, placenta, and uterus, all of which must be in good working order. Furthermore, the medicine taken by the pregnant mother-to-be is crucial, as certain medications can harm the fetus. As a result, pregnant women must only take medications that their doctor has prescribed.
Eating while pregnant
During pregnancy, diet and nutrition are extremely critical. The diet should be varied and healthy, with moderate consumption, particularly during the first 1-3 months. Pregnant women should consume a healthy diet that contains all five food groups in moderation, with a focus on foods rich in folic acid, which is important for the growth of the fetus' organs and brain cells.
Essential advice for pregnant women
A woman can report her maternity care with a trusted medical facility as soon as she discovers she is pregnant. This is in addition to having an awareness of what it means to be pregnant and providing the right nutrients through a balanced diet.
Following that, it's important to get daily exercise, drink plenty of clean water (at least 6-8 glasses a day), and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. To help ensure the wellbeing of mother and baby, women who smoke can stop, get enough rest, and only take the medications prescribed by a doctor.
Mothers should also keep a close eye on their personal health to avoid exposing themselves to chemicals like hair dye, certain types of cosmetics, and perfumes.
Sexual intercourse while pregnant is another consideration that should not be ignored. Both parties should prevent causing any major impacts to the mother's abdomen.
