Congratulations, you’re pregnant! You are now probably in a rollercoaster of emotions— the joy of finding out that you expecting, the growing anxiety as you anticipate all the things that may go wrong and not to mention all those pregnancy hormones hard at work. But don’t worry, pregnancy is not as scary as some people said and mothers should enjoy every moment of their pregnancy journey.

 

First Signs Of Pregnancy

 

Typically, the first indication of pregnancy is usually missed period, you can also expect these symptoms on the following weeks:

• Tender and swollen breast
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Heartburn

 

Do’s and Don’ts of Pregnancy

 

 

 

DO: Take Prenatal Vitamins

 

When you have a life growing inside you, you would need more nutrients not only for you but for your little one. It is particularly important to consume folic acid supplements as pregnancy mothers require significantly higher folic acid compare to pre-conceived women. Folic acid is critical in preventing neural tube defects and vital to ensure optimal growth of your little one.

 

 

 

DON’T: Smoke and Consume Alcohol

 

It is never too late to stop smoking, especially when your little one’s life quite literally depends on this decision. Smoking produces toxin which increase the risks of medical complications such as miscarriage, placental problems and stillbirth. Alcohol is also a fairly unsafe beverage to consume during pregnancy as the consumption of alcohol has been linked to the impendent of growth and facial deformation.

 

DO: Schedule Your First Doctor’s Appointment

 

Normally pregnancy checkups doesn’t start until the 8th week of pregnancy, which gives you around 1 month to survey, do research and choose the right doctor which will accompany you throughout this journey, assuming that you confirmed your pregnancy during the 4th week of conception.

 

 

DON’T: Do any vigorous exercise / sports

 

While the conduct itself does not cause miscarriage. However intense exercise and overheating does create an unfavorable environment especially during the implantation period. Not to mention that exercise may tire out the mother during early pregnancy period as blood volume gradually increase during pregnancy and the heart needs to work harder to push the blood around to circulate through the placenta. Mothers are still encouraged to do light exercises such as yoga and stretching exercise.

 

 

Development During The First Trimester

 

During the first trimester, which usually last for 12 weeks or 8 weeks after conception, the fetus size will grow from the size of a poppy seed to a size of a rolled film. On the first month of pregnancy, you may not realize that you are in fact pregnant as the early stages of the fertilization and implantation process is still taking place. Pregnancy symptoms usually begin on the 4th week onwards where the hormones levels rises. This is also the time when you will start experiencing morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms and confirm your pregnancy.

On the 5th week the embryo’s heart and primitive circulatory system will start to develop, but on the 6th week is where rapid growth will happen, the neural tube along the fetus's back is closing. The fetus's brain and spinal cord will develop from the neural tube. The heart and other organs also are starting to form and the heart begins to beat. And on the 7th and 8th week is when you can start to see the shapes of the skull, fingers and crevasse of the fetus’s nose. At the end of the first trimester, which is the 12th week, the fetus has developed fingernails. The fetus has a more human-like facial profile. At your prenatal checkup, you can probably hear a heartbeat with a Doppler monitor. If you have had an early ultrasound, you have probably already heard it.

 

 

The first trimester is definitely a challenge for new mothers are the new experience coupled with anxiety may overwhelm them in the beginning. However, with a good support system and mentality, you should be able to sail through this journey with ease.