First Trimester: 10 Rules Every Woman Should Follow | Pregnancy slideshows | Family Health center

Make Your First Prenatal Appointment Early On

Some pregnant women wait until the end of the first trimester before they make their first prenatal appointment. Depending on where you live, it's usually best to see your midwife or OBGYN as soon as possible, though. At your first prenatal appointment, your pregnancy will officially be confirmed and you'll have blood work and a urine test carried out, and your blood pressure will be measured. Now is the perfect time to review your medical history and to discuss nutrition. Women who are taking medications for any reason should always see their doctor as soon as possible after a positive pregnancy test, to figure out if they need a change in their medication regime because of their pregnancy. Are you not sure what type of healthcare provider you want to see for your pregnancy yet? It's early days, so you have time to see several midwives and OBGYNs to find out which is the best match for you.

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Involve Family And Friends In Your Pregnancy

Waiting until you hit the 12th week of pregnancy — and your miscarriage risk drops dramatically — has almost become an unspoken rule among pregnant women. Early pregnancy really affects you in all kinds of ways, though. You will probably suffer from fatigue, morning sickness, and mood swings. Your friends, family, and your boss will all want to know what is going on with you. They'll be happy to have an explanation for all the changes you are going through. Life will be so much easier for you too. The first trimester of pregnancy is by far the hardest for many women. If you do miscarry, you may actually really welcome the support you get from people who knew you were pregnant.

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Who Will Replace You When You Are On Maternity Leave?

Whether you are employed or self-employed, you will need to take at least a little time off. Preparing for your maternity leave early on is essential if you are self-employed, so start during your first trimester. You may be right in thinking that it is your employer's responsibility to arrange for a replacement while you are on maternity leave if you are employed, but everyone will appreciate it if you play a proactive role. You could teach your replacement to do your job while you are on leave, write down protocols, and even volunteer to answer emails or give co-workers advice while you are absent, if you are the kind of person who just can't let go. Are you not planning to go back to work after you have your baby? It's fair to allow your employer the time to plan ahead.

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www.healthywomen.org/content/article/tips-your-first-trimester?page=2

Get Enough Rest

Pregnancy hormones are responsible for most of the really heavy pregnancy symptoms you'll experience during your first trimester. Early pregnancy fatigue is no exception, and many newly expectant moms actually have trouble making it through the day without a nap. Your natural reaction might be to ignore your tiredness and to carry on as usual. Cut yourself some slack, and realize that your fatigue is the result of very real changes in your body. Get enough rest, and give into the urge to nap and go to bed early whenever you can. Put your feet up and let your partner treat you like a queen for once in your life.

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Make Sure You Maintain A Healthy Diet

Healthy nutrition during pregnancy is essential for expectant mothers, but it also has a life-long impact on their children too. During the first trimester, you will probably find yourself hanging over the toilet bowl more often than making a tasty salad in the kitchen. Certain really healthy foods may actually even make you sick — literally! Still, now is not the time to give into junk foods. A proper diet helps your baby develop normally, cuts your risk of gestational diabetes, and will give you more energy too. Don't make the mistake of thinking you need to "eat for two", though — your calorie intake only needs to go up a little, by about 300 calories a day.

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www.healthywomen.org/content/article/tips-your-first-trimester?page=4

Make Sure Your Pregnancy Is Unforgettable

Pregnancy is physically and emotionally challenging sometimes, but the time during which you carry that precious baby inside of you is also unique and fleeting. Soon after you give birth, you may even find yourself forgetting all those little things you found really special about pregnancy. Now is the time to start a journal or a blog, and to take plenty of pictures of yourself. The memories you create now will be treasured forever — and not just by you, but by the baby you're carrying as well. Most young children especially love to hear about the time when they were inside mommy's tummy. Pictures and real-life stories can make this all come to life.

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Enjoy Your Pregnancy — Smile!

Are you a first-time mom? Don't forget to take the time to really enjoy this experience. Pregnancy is unique, and you can never be sure that you will get to go through it again — savor every moment. This pregnancy also represents the very last stretch of your childless days. Do you want to go to the movies with your partner? On holiday without worrying about a rambunctious toddler? Out for dinner in a proper restaurant? Do it now, because babies and small kids make many of these things next to impossible. Make sure to enjoy the preparations for your baby's arrival too. Decorating a nursery, buying newborn clothes, and picking out names are all great opportunities for excitement and good, old-fashioned fun!

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Avoid Overheating Your Baby

Anything that raises your body temperature significantly can do the same for your fetus. If your core temperature rises above 101 degrees Fahrenheit during the first trimester, the risk of birth defects and miscarriage increases. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) warns pregnant women to steer clear of saunas, jacuzzis, hot tubs and steam baths for that reason. Vigorous exercise for long periods of time and fever can lead to the same problems. Fetal dehydration is a major concern in babies past the first trimester. Making sure that you always drink at least eight glasses of water a day is very important for many other reasons too.

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Beware Of Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted from many household cleaning products, carpets and furniture, pesticides and paints. These gases are dangerous to any person, particularly if they are exposed for a long time, but they pose a special risk to unborn babies. How can you avoid these VOCs? Making sure you ventilate your house regularly is one of the most important steps you can take. You can also look for products that do not contain VOCs. Many cosmetics, like deodorants and hair sprays also contain Volatile Organic Compounds. Minimizing your use of these products always helps.

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Exercise And Heavy Lifting: Apply Caution

You don't need to become a plant for nine months once you find out that you are expecting. Regular prenatal exercise is very important, and most physical activities that were safe before you conceived your baby are going to be safe now, too, unless you are on bed rest or have unexplained vaginal bleeding. If you enjoyed running or weight lifting before you got pregnant, you can continue now. If, however, you are completely new to these vigorous physical exercises, pregnancy is not the right time to start. While activities like lifting furniture or painting walls may seem safe, be sure to avoid anything that carries a risk risk of falling or sustaining other injuries. Common sense should keep you and your little one safe. Expectant women who are not sure what is and isn't safe during pregnancy should always feel free to consult their midwife or gynecologist/obstetrician.