After months of trying to conceive and innumerable doctor visits, when I saw the two pink lines on the home pregnancy kit, I cannot even explain the feeling in words. Pregnancy and motherhood are the two most beautiful phases in the life of a woman. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, there is a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness. I was no different. When I think back, to some extent I was a hyper would be mummy, but after all that I had gone through, I did not want to take any chances. The first three months or the first trimester is the most crucial and everyone should take a lot of care. I can give some advice out of my own experience. Hope it helps.
Choose Your Doctor
After your home pregnancy test is positive, the first thing you should do (after telling your husband) is to visit your doctor. In my case, I was going to my gynecologist for more than a year, but if you have never gone to one, its time you choose now. I know accidents do happen, but if you have been planning the pregnancy, consult a doctor as soon as you start trying. This is important for two reasons. First being, she/he will prescribe the right medicines you should take like folic acid. Second, you will have a good rapport with the doctor. During this time, you will be able to judge the doctor and see your comfort level. You should be able to ask any question without hesitation.
Especially during your first pregnancy, you will have many questions and trust me, most of them will be silly. The best doctor is one who will make you feel confident, and answer all your questions carefully. The doctor will also recommend an ultrasound at six weeks, which will confirm a normal pregnancy. I have seen people going to doctors who are popular and then changing in the last few months as they are not comfortable. This is stressful and must be avoided.
Listen to Your Body
After your doctor, the second most important thing you need to trust is your body.
Your body gives signals—it tells you what it needs. And during pregnancy, those signals become stronger.
After week 6, the progesterone levels rise, which often causes:
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fatigue
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nausea
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sleepiness
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mood swings
I was lucky because I didn’t have nausea, but I could sleep all day. I had never slept so much in my life, and I remember feeling guilty about it sometimes.
But your body is doing a lot of work during this time. The baby is forming, and your energy is being used in ways you cannot even imagine.
So feeling tired is completely normal.
You may also experience:
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food aversions
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smell sensitivity
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sudden dislikes for certain meals
Most of these symptoms usually improve after 14–16 weeks.
So listen to your body, rest when needed, and don’t push yourself unnecessarily.
Do Not Google
Google is helpful, but during pregnancy, it can also become your worst enemy.
If you search for every small symptom, you will only end up feeling confused or scared. Every pregnancy is different, and not everything you read online applies to you.
Instead, it’s better to use pregnancy apps that give weekly updates.
I personally used:
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What to Expect
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BabyCentre
Both were accurate and helped me understand what to expect each week.
I especially loved the weekly baby development videos on What to Expect. Watching how a tiny cell grows into a baby is truly nature at its best.
For anything confusing or worrying, always ask your doctor.
For example, I had a bad backache in my first trimester. My doctor suggested sleeping with a pillow between my legs—and it worked like magic.
Doctors have solutions for most problems. Google only gives you fear.
Personal Hygiene
As your uterus starts growing, it puts pressure on the bladder. That’s why many women feel the constant need to urinate, especially in the first trimester.
Because of this, the chances of UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) also increase.
So personal hygiene becomes extremely important.
Also, drink enough water and fluids.
Never reduce water intake just because you don’t want to pee frequently. Your body needs hydration more than ever during pregnancy.
Slow Down
The first three months are the most crucial in the pregnancy and you need to take a lot of care. You will need to slow down your pace. If working, try for some flexible times or try and take a nap in the afternoon if possible. Your seat at work must be very comfortable. I am not saying, stop living or doing things you love to do. Just slow down and avoid things which can cause too many jerks or have an impact. Any activity putting pressure on the stomach should also be avoided.
Eat healthy
As soon as you get pregnant, people start saying, “Now eat for two!”
Please don’t.
In the first trimester, the baby is still very small and is forming. Your body already has enough reserves to support it.
Instead of overeating, focus on eating healthy.
Pregnancy should never be used as an excuse to eat unhealthy food regularly.
In my case, my doctor asked me to avoid outside food for the first 12 weeks. So my husband cooked meals for me, and honestly, I loved the pampering.
Home-cooked food also helped because:
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it reduced acidity
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it kept my digestion better
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I didn’t gain unnecessary weight
You may also like:
- My Mind When I Went Through the C-Sec
- C Section-I Did Not Choose the Easy Way Out
- Tips to Recover After a C-Section
Do Not Over Indulge in Clothes
One mistake many women make is buying maternity clothes as soon as they find out they are pregnant.
Don’t do that.
Every woman’s body changes differently. You won’t grow at the same rate as your friend or relative did.
In my case:
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I fit into most of my normal clothes till 6 months
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my bra size didn’t change (even though many people said it would)
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my foot size also stayed the same
I only needed maternity clothes in the last trimester—and for me, the last trimester was only around six weeks.
So my suggestion is simple:
Buy maternity clothes only when you actually need them.
Exercise
Even if you feel lazy and sleep, get some form of exercise. My doctor had advised me to walk daily and that’s what I did. Depending on your body and your pregnancy, ask your doctor about exercise. Moving is a good thing. Do your Kegels. I ultimately did not need them thanks to my emergency C section, but do start in time. They are known to be helpful later on.
The first trimester or the first three months or the first twelve weeks of your pregnancy are beautiful. This is where you start this beautiful journey. Ensure you keep your husband involved by planning the doctor visits and the ultrasounds. The smile my husband had on his face when we saw the baby on the screen was priceless. That was pure and selfless love of a father, and trust me, you will love every bit of it. At the end of the first trimester, you will see a little human inside you. Take care of your well being and health in these crucial months. Keep away from unsolicited advice and the only person you trust is your doctor and the only thing you have to listen to is your body.
My first three months of the journey were amazing and I hope yours are too. This was the time I realized why love is blind. Because I started loving my baby before I even saw it.
