Things you should know in your first trimester of pregnancy

Pregnancy is that period for which a woman carries a developing foetus in her womb. For most women is a time of great happiness and fulfilment.
During pregnancy both the woman and her developing foetus face various health risks. For this reason it is important that all pregnancies should be monitored by skilled health professionals.
First trimester is the first 13 weeks of the pregnancy from your last menstrual period(LMP).

You should know the following ;

1. Symptoms: After you have confirmed that you are pregnant, there are symptoms that you will begin to experience like ; Nausea and vomiting(emesis), Fatigue, Ptyalism gravidarum (excessive salivation during pregnancy),Food cravings and aversions,Heightened sense of smell, Dizziness, Swollen breasts,changes in libido, Emotional ups and downs, Increased vaginal discharge. But every woman responds differently to the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy. These symptoms tend to subside by the end of the 1st trimester.Also note these symptoms could be worse if you have twin or more gestation especially the vomiting (Hyperemesis gravidarum).
2. Early antenatal care : This is very important especially if it is your first pregnancy. Disorders of 1st trimester pregnancies are detected in the first 13 weeks e.g Ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, miscarriages. You would be taught on what to expect as the pregnancy progresses. Other examinations would be done like Blood pressure, weight etc
3. Self medication; Please avoid treating your self during pregnancy. Some drugs are not safe during pregnancy. Malaria can make you miscarry the pregnancy. Always see your doctor whenever you have symptoms like fever, headache,abdominal pains, vaginal spotting or bleeding etc
4. Blood tests: You have to visit your doctor so that some tests could be done to prevent passing infection to the foetus. HIV is mandatory because you have to be started on drugs to prevent transmission to the foetus. Others are Hepatitis B and C, TORCHES screen, Blood glucose test Urinalysis, Blood group, Genotype etc 
5. Ultrasound Scan; This is important because we have seen cases of ectopic pregnancies that was diagnosed late and the woman died due to excessive blood loss. The scan helps to show if the foetus is intrauterine or outside the womb. It can also rule out other abnormalities in the foetus. 
6. Co-morbidities; If you already have other existing medical conditions,please let your doctor know like Diabetes, Hypertension, Sickle cell disease(SCD) , Epilepsy etc . The drugs you take might not be safe in pregnancy. Your doctor will give you a safer drug during your pregnancy so that it does not affect your child. This also places the pregnancy as high risk. 
7. Smoking and Alcohol consumption; Pregnant women should avoid these to prevent foetal abnormalities.
8. Supplements : Folic acid and other vitamins are essential for the normal growth of your baby and to prevent some congenital malformations.
9. Foods; Eat your normal diet and take lots of vegetables, fruits and water. 
10. Sex; Is not totally out of place during pregnancy. There are times you might not be in the mood but then you have to communicate with your partner. If you experience any vaginal bleeding please stop and consult your doctor.
11. Exercise; There are exercises that are done during pregnancy. Please not vigorous ones, very mild ones are good. If you are having vaginal bleeding please stop. 
12. Undergarments; Use more of cotton under wears during pregnancy. They are more comfortable because they tend to absorb the excessive secretions, bigger bra sizes will accommodate the breasts that are enlarging. You can also use pant liners for excessive vaginal secretions. 
13. Make a budget; Cost of having a baby could be enormous especially if it is your first. You need to find out the cost of having a normal delivery and a C-section, babies feeding and clothes, the vaccines the baby will have as he/she grows, baby's toys etc. Start early to svae towards that.
14. Health Insurance; Having a  health insurance is always the best so that you don't run into financial crises. Some time ago I was at the hospital reception and this man was crying because he was asked to deposit some huge amount of money before a c-section could be done on the wife because she could not deliver normally. Obviously he didn't make plans for a C-section. Always make plans for circumstances like this,don't  always think that you must have an SVD( spontaneous vaginal delivery); always make a budget that will cover for a c-section, use a hospital that is pocket friendly or better still get a health Insurance that can cover it.

The symptoms of the first trimester are endless. Please feel free to ask questions for more clarifications. You can also contribute to the post.Have a safe delivery if your are pregnant.
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