The first trimester of pregnancy can be both exciting and challenging as your body undergoes significant changes to support the growing baby. It may come with symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings. But by incorporating a few lifestyle changes, you can have a smooth and healthy pregnancy.
What to Do?
Here are some do’s of pregnancy that you must follow:
1. Get Medical Tests Done
During the 1st trimester of pregnancy, these tests are usually recommended to monitor the health of both the mother and the developing fetus:
HB Electrophoresis Test -
This test is recommended to identify carriers of genetic conditions like Hemoglobinopathies in the fetus. It is also done for the assessment of anaemia in pregnant women.
The Double Marker Test -
The double marker test is a prenatal screening test that assesses the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, particularly Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome.
Blood Type and Antibody Screen -
These are routine tests performed to assess the mother's blood type and identify the presence of antibodies in her blood that could potentially affect the health of the fetus.
Complete Blood Count Test -
This test measures blood parameters like RBC, WBC, and platelet count to identify any potential issues that may require attention during pregnancy.
Fasting Glucose Checks for Diabetes (HbA1c) -
This test helps in the early detection and monitoring of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
2. Take Supplements
While a healthy and balanced diet is the best way to obtain essential nutrients, doctors may recommend the intake of calcium, vitamin D, folic acid, magnesium, fish oil, probiotics, etc. to women with increased nutritional needs. Remember, the dosage and need for supplementation should be determined by a healthcare professional based on your specific health status and individual requirements.
3. Get Ample Rest
Sufficient rest and sleep during pregnancy are essential for the overall health and well-being of both the mother and the developing baby. It supports fetal development, manages stress, reduces fatigue, regulates hormonal balance, prepares mothers for labour, and helps in having a healthy pregnancy. So, aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. You can also take short naps during the day if needed.
4. Improve Food Intake
During pregnancy, your diet should include a wide range of foods from all food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, and healthy fats. To support the baby's bone development and maintain maternal bone health, you can consume foods high in calcium.
Also, make sure to practice food safety and avoid undercooked meats, eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products.
5. Exercise
Regular physical activity during pregnancy can help improve overall health, manage weight gain, reduce pregnancy discomforts, and promote a faster postpartum recovery. So, consider low-impact exercises that are gentle on the joints, such as walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, or stationary cycling.
6. Drink Lots of Water
Make sure to consume a lot of water and juices since water is essential for the formation of the placenta and amniotic fluid. It also aids in the transport of nutrients from the mother's bloodstream to the placenta and the baby. Moreover, water can regulate body temperature, support kidney function, reduce swelling, and have many other benefits for the mother.
What not to do?
Here are a few things to avoid during pregnancy:
1. Taking Stress
Excessive stress during pregnancy can have negative effects on both the mother’s and the baby's health. So, avoid stress and prioritize self-care activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as gentle exercise, meditation, deep breathing, prenatal yoga, or spending time in nature.
2. Consuming Alcohol and Tobacco
There is no safe level of alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy. They can cause harm to the developing fetus, especially during the early stages of pregnancy when vital organs are forming. Not only can they lead to physical birth defects in the baby, but they can also affect the brain, leaving a life-long impact. So, avoid alcohol and smoking at all costs if you’re pregnant.
3. Consuming Processed Foods and Seafood
Processed foods contain additives with traces of carcinogenic substances and sodium nitrate. The risk of pesticide contamination is also high in processed foods. Similarly, some sea foods may contain high mercury content which can disrupt growth in kids. So, consider an organic diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. And if you’re consuming seafood, make sure to first check with your doctor.
Early and consistent prenatal care is essential for monitoring the pregnancy's progress and identifying any potential issues. So, take pointers from this blog post and stay on top of your health.
I hope this was helpful!
Author Bio:
Jigar Patel is the Founder of Health-e, a HealthTech app that simplifies health records management along with providing personalized and preventative healthcare solutions. Although he has 20+ years of operations and management experience in the EPC domain, Jigar’s true passion lies in making healthcare simpler, faster, and more accessible for doctors and patients alike. He strongly believes that people need to be empowered to participate in their own healthcare and is constantly thinking of ways to build this into his app. He loves to keep things simple be it in life, product design, his work or the content he develops. Being married for 10 years and having 2 kids have taught him that perspective matters, so you can always count on him to share new perspectives on various topics.
