Pregnancy is a blessing. I have heard people saying that the woman who is giving birth to the baby is referred to as a goddess. Women who are having babies in their womb have to take great care of the embryo. The women are suggested to take a nutritionally balanced diet as they have to feed two bodies now, to the embryo and themselves. They should live a stress-free life during pregnancy and do meditation.
The first month of the pregnancy is the first step of a woman into motherhood. Certain things and precautions need to be taken to protect the baby. Here are some pregnancy tips for first month that you should know while you are in your first month of pregnancy:
First month Pregnancy guide
1. Confirm your pregnancy – You are getting symptoms, and you have never been this happy in your life. You want to share it with everyone in the world. But won’t it be great if you can just be sure and confirm it and then think about sharing? A small test at home may be taken by using pregnancy test strips available in the market. However, it is advisable to visit your health care provider or doctor and get it confirmed.
2. Your bad habits – This is the important first month pregnancy advice that you should follow. The dreadful habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol will not only be hazardous for your body, but for the embryo as well. Cut it down and gradually cut it out. Exposure to such substance may have a poisonous effect on the development of cells. The chances of harm might even result in miscarriages.
3. Hiding of information – When you are going for a diagnosis, do not feel shy; tell everything to your doctor. All significant information is needed to be shared with your doctor if you do not want any complications with your pregnancy. Details regarding your last menstrual cycle, flow, duration and frequency should be given correctly to the doctor to avoid any miscarriage or an abnormal pregnancy.
4. An optimum amount of rest – Since you have two bodies to feed now, you need double execution to handle it. This means that double care and double work is needed. An extra effort is charged out of your body and to keep pace with it; your body will need rest. Therefore, we suggest you to take proper rest. But that does not mean you should be in your bed the whole day. You are still supposed to perform regular activities. However, do not overwork. This is one of the health tips for first month of pregnancy to be taken care of.
5. Make a must-do list – After confirmation of your pregnancy, you shall make a list that would include the health insurance, the prenatal care, and a caregiver. Follow various health tips for first month of pregnancy. Prenatal care is consuming the vital vitamins, nutrients, and especially folic acid. Folic acid helps the pregnant woman to develop embryo’s brain and spinal cord. 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day is recommended in the first four months of pregnancy, or as suggested by your doctor. It protects the embryo from any neural defects like spina bifida. Special pregnancy multi-vitamins may also be taken. Food like poultry, eggs, meat, milk, legumes and many other food items contain protein that may also be added in your diet. A caregiver shall be needed to guide you at every step. A caregiver may be a family member, friend or relative who has enough knowledge about pregnancy.
6. Body massages – During pregnancy, women feel exhaustion, headache, and backache. They sometimes feel body pain. One of the options is to take pregnancy massages regularly or to go to the spa. This would also lighten your mood. There are different types of massages. Deep tissue massage with slow strokes pressing deep into the muscle; shiatsu with tapping acupressure points to enhance natural energy or the doctor may recommend any other massage. A pregnancy massage may last an hour. Pelvic floor exercises help you keep your pelvic floor stronger that supports your bladder, uterus, and bowel. Precautions during 1st month of pregnancy regarding massages need to be noticed. Massages need to be gentle, and harsh massages should be avoided. Too much exertion on your body should be avoided during massage.
7. Sexual intimacy – For most of the pregnant women, having intercourse with their spouses is safe and has no harm to the embryo. But studies have exposed that 80 percent of miscarriages happen in the first weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, sexual intimacies come under the precautions to be taken during 1st month of pregnancy. If there is a risk of miscarriage to the pregnant woman, sexual intimacy during pregnancy should be avoided. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your health care provider or doctor before involving in such activities.
8. Too many movements? The women who are experiencing pregnancy for the first time should learn that their bodies need rest. They should not rest for long either. A sufficient amount of body movement is required. Normal activities are fine. But sudden movements, jerks, exertions, vigorous exercises should be avoided. They should neither work too much in the office nor at home. The reason is that when a pregnant lady walks for long, or runs or steps up and down the staircase, it may lead to exhaustion and the baby may be harmed.
9. Vaginal infection – This is one of the special precautions during 1st month of pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is an increase in the Estrogen levels and content of glycogen secretion in the vagina. This may result in vaginal candidiasis or yeast infection. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to maintain a clean vagina by using good PH neutral, anti fungal shampoos for cleaning to ensure protective lining across the vagina. There are good bacteria in the body that help in developing the embryo. Hence, taking probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus are also helpful.
10. Prenatal tests are must – Some teen girls see pregnancy as playing with a toy. Pregnancy is a real mess. Common tests like blood tests to check any sexually transmitted diseases, anemia shall be done beforehand; urine test to check infections are preferred during first month of pregnancy. Certain tests are needed to be taken to keep you updated about the embryo’s development, its down syndrome, birth defects and chromosomal problems. A diagnostic test known as Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) may be taken.
11. A bag full of food – It is essential for a pregnant female to eat at regular intervals. While you are traveling somewhere or at home, keep a bag or a basket full of nutritional foods with you for munching. Foods like spinach – which is rich in folic acid, lentils, nuts, dry fruits, citrus fruits may be eaten as snacks or added with snacks. You can make a chart after consulting your doctor as what you can eat during your pregnancy. Do not keep your stomach empty. Avoid fried or greasy food as they are not easily digested. And once your bag is ready, and the basket is prepared; feel free to choose out of the variety of food that you have.
12. Intake of probiotics – Probiotics are friendly bacteria called as beneficial micro-organisms that are present in our intestine. They help us breaking down the food we eat. Their function is to crowd out the harmful bacteria of our body and build anti-bodies to protect us and strengthen our immune system. There are good bacteria in the body that help in developing the embryo. Hence, taking probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus are helpful. A probiotic supplement may also be taken. Live yogurt, live yogurt drinks, miso and tempeh, which is made from fermented soya beans, fermented and unfermented milk, some juices, and soya drinks contain probiotics.
13. Myths – how to deal them? Pregnancy is the time for women when people increase their interactions with the pregnant women to give advises and suggestions about what to do and how to do. You will hear a lot. Myths like ‘give up coffee’ – consuming one cup of coffee is okay, but more than that may increase the risk of miscarriage; is a common myth. People will tell you to not eat peanuts, perhaps they will suggest staying out of the sun. And there can be other good reasons people will give you to pay attention to. Do not confuse yourself by hearing everything. You need to educate yourself about what should be done and in what proportion to keep you safe. In case you have doubts, you can talk to pregnancy professionals and doctors.
14. Morning Sickness – One of the pregnancy precautions during first month of pregnancy is dealing with morning sickness. While you wake up, make sure you eat and your stomach is not empty as it may amplify the morning sickness. Eating a healthy breakfast as prescribed by your doctor is the best way to avoid morning sickness. Develop a habit of drinking ample water especially during the day hours, and you may reduce the water intake during the night so as to reduce frequent urination that may disturb your sleeping. Early sleeping habit will be fruitful too. Eat once you wake up off your bed in the morning as empty stomach may lead to morning sickness.
15. Vitamin A – Dairy products and some fruits and vegetables contain vitamin A. Foods including liver and liver pâté, are high in vitamin A and should be avoided from eating during pregnancy. It is recommended that you should not consume very high doses of vitamin A as they may cause liver toxicity and birth defects. Consumption of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables is safe though. The term vitamin A covers two types of the nutrient: preformed vitamin A, also called retinol or retinoid, and provitamin A called carotenoids. Animal products like eggs, liver and milk are main sources of performed vitamin A which is consumed directly by the body. Some fruit and vegetables contain provitamin A (carotnoids which our body converts into vitamin A.
16. Health Insurance of your country – Health insurance and medical insurance policies depend on the country you are in and might differ accordingly. In many countries, you are not covered unless at least 12 months have passed from the date of insurance to your confirmation of pregnancy. Go through the various health and medical insurance guidelines and analyze whether they apply to you.
If you are not ready to get pregnant, please avoid it and do not waste a life. If you are ready to give birth to your child, take necessary precautions during 1st month of pregnancy and proper care of yourself and the embryo inside you. This will be helpful in avoiding unforeseen circumstances like the abnormal delivery of the baby. Cherish these memories and you may start writing a diary to record every moment for the later years. Happy pregnancy!!!
Disclaimer: Make sure that this generic advice is good for you in all manners. All the suggestions, diet plans, and tests must be cross-checked with your doctor as they may vary based on your medical history or health conditions. Hence, it is advisable to consult a doctor before adhering to any of them.