The Dos and Don'ts in Pregnancy Trimesters

The pregnancy period is divided into 3 trimesters: first trimester (week 1 through 12); second trimester (week 13 through 26), and third trimester (week 27 through 40). A full-term pregnancy is actually 38 and not 40 weeks (why not: conception generally occurs 2 weeks after the first day of your period).

    

The First Trimester

The Happenings

    

Conception takes place (week 1).

Breakthrough bleeding may happen (week 2-3) (why: fertilized egg becomes embedded in the lining of the uterus).

The breasts feel fuller and more tender (week 5-6) (why: stimulation of milk-producing glands). The nipples become darker with bluish veins (why: increase of blood supply to breasts).

Morning sickness (week 6-7) may occur. Morning sickness that begins in the first trimester may last until early second trimester. It is generally not harmful to the baby unless you have the following:

• You vomit blood.
• You have lost several pounds.
• You vomit as soon as you drink even water.
• You vomit well past the fourth month of pregnancy

The dos and don’ts of morning sickness

• Do suck a slice of fresh ginger in your mouth on rising every morning or any time you feel sick.
• Do get sufficient sleep.
• Do eat small meals.
• Do eat more cold foods (why: they are less aromatic and therefore less likely to trigger vomiting).
• Do eat more carbohydrates.
• Do get a higher dose of vitamin B6 (50 milligrams).
• Do get acupressure wristbands from the Internet (why: they are worn to overcome seasickness).
• Don’t let yourself become hungry.
• Don’t get out of bed too quickly; stretch yourself first before getting out of bed.
• Don’t stress out; avoid any time stress.

The skin around the nipples begins to grow darker (week 6-7) (why: blood supply to the breasts increases significantly).

The waistband becomes tighter (week 8-9) (why: the uterus doubles in size).

Anxiety and irritability may develop for no apparent reason (why: change in hormones); hands and feet become warmer (why: increase in blood volume); dehydration becomes more frequent (why: extra fluids are needed by the uterus) (week 9-10).

The body weight may have increased by 2 to 3 pounds (week 10-11).

The risk of miscarriage is reduced by approximately 65 percent (week 12).

    

The Second Trimester

The Happenings
    

Most discomforts experienced in the first trimester should disappear by the second trimester.

Constipation may become more frequent (why: higher level of progesterone may affect muscles of the intestine; growing size of the uterus affects bowel movements). Do drink more water, and eat more fruits with fiber, such as apples (week 14).

Baby begins to move (week 16-20).

Perspiration may become more common (why: weight of the uterus increases, affecting body movements).

Dark patches of skin may develop on the face (week 17-18).

Breasts start leaking colostrums, the baby’s first food (why: the moisturizing substance protects the nipples during breastfeeding) (week 20-23).

Indigestion and heartburn may develop (why: larger and heavier abdomen may affect the digestive system) (week 22-23). Do take smaller meals with snacks; take a walk after meals.

Backache, pressure in the pelvis, cramps in the leg may occur (week 24-25). Do be mindful of posture, and do get plenty of sleep.

Stretch marks begin to develop around the breasts and abdomen (week 26-27). Do rub coconut oil on breasts and abdomen.

The Third Trimester

The Happenings

Discomfort in the ribcage may occur (why: the uterus is pushing up against the bottom of the ribcage, forcing the ribcage to spread out) (week 28-30).

Varicose veins may be formed (why: pressure is exerted on veins from legs to the heart) (week 28-30).

Episodes of forgetfulness or lack of concentration may occur (why: preoccupation with childbirth) (week 30).

Backache may intensify (why: change in the center of gravity) (week 31)

Better digestion and breathing may result as the baby gets into the head-down position (week 32).

Hands and feet become swollen (why: due to fluid retention in the body). Do wear loose-fitting clothing (week 33).

Aches and pains may occur in the pelvis area (why: due to hormone relaxation and increase in baby’s size) (week 34-35).

Hardening (about 30 seconds) and relaxing of the uterus becomes increasingly frequent (week 36-37)

Anxiety and depression may occur (why: due to physical discomfort and worry about the forthcoming childbirth) (week 38).

e uterus is taking up all the space in the pelvis and a great deal of room in the abdomen (week 39).

During the final phase of the third trimester, the body weight normally plateaus; some weight loss may even occur.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau