What to Expect When You Are Expecting During the First Month

The first month of pregnancy can be both very exciting and slightly overwhelming. All sorts of questions come up for the expectant parent, and answers to those questions are generally easy to find.

Prenatal Health Care

• The first trimester

  The first order of business should be a visit to a prenatal care health specialist, such as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/Gyn), Nurse Practitioner, Licensed Midwife, or Family Physician. There you will be given a blood test and urine tests to determine exactly how pregnant you are and where you are gestationally speaking in the 40-week period. A physical exam, including a pelvic exam, will help determine if everything is progressing as it should. Your health care practitioner may or may not suggest an ultrasound at this early stage to detect fetal progression. You will also receive other instructions such as taking prenatal vitamins, taking care of your body as your pregnancy progresses, and other important prenatal precautions related to lifestyle choices. If you are a high-risk pregnancy due to age or other health circumstances or your health history, your health practitioner will advise you how to handle these issues. Do not depend on the results of home pregnancy tests as they can be misleading.

Eating Healthfully

• Eating for two (or more!)

  Now that you are eating for two (or more!), there are certain guidelines on what you should eat and what you should avoid. Alcohol, cigarettes, drugs (except those prescribed by your health care practitioner), sushi, and other foods are on the list for substances and foods you should avoid throughout pregnancy. Your best bet for staying healthy is to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains, and to drink plenty of fluids just as you would to maintain health otherwise. Eating foods rich in iron and protein is recommended, as is taking breaks throughout the day and getting at least eight hours of sleep each night. Your body is working hard to make a person, so treat it well.

Exercise

• Your exercise regimen

  Most exercises, exercise classes, and exercise equipment are generally safe during pregnancy, but it all depends on the initial health of the mother. Keeping up your fitness routine is important for boosting energy levels. Check with your health care provider about your exercise regimen and what is safe for you to start or continue doing.

Nausea And Fatigue

• Yawwwnnn!

  Nausea does not begin for most expectant mothers until about six weeks into the gestational period of 40 weeks. Some mothers-to-be experience no nausea whatsoever during pregnancy. Others are nauseated 24/7 (not just in the morning) from very early in their pregnancies. The rule of thumb is that at around four months, nausea should abate somewhat if not disappear entirely. Expectant mothers often find their senses enhanced, especially their sense of smell, and can react strongly to smells that, prior to pregnancy, did not affect them, such as the smell of fish, beef, eggs, poultry, and coffee. So take it easy in the mornings and avoid the nausea triggers listed above.

  Fatigue is another symptom you may experience in your first trimester. Get plenty of sleep every night (seven to nine hours is recommended), continue with your health-care provider's approved fitness regimen, and drink lots of liquids to prevent dehydration.

Tenderness

• The emotional roller coaster of hormones during the normal period of gestation aside, expectant mothers often notice that their breasts experience tenderness. This tenderness can be a burning sensation on the sides of the breasts, extremely sensitive nipples, and almost immediate growth of the breast size. These and other new physical sensations are part of the wonderful journey you will experience early in your pregnancy.

Telling Others

• As you progress in your pregnancy, you may choose to share the information with friends and family. Many expectant mothers wait until the first trimester (three months) has passed before sharing their good news. The reason for this is that most miscarriages occur early in pregnancies, and having to tell these same people that your pregnancy did not work out the way you hoped makes it doubly difficult for the parents. Other expectant parents dismiss this reluctance to share the good news as mere superstition and gleefully announce to the entire world that they are expecting. Whatever decision you make, know that as soon as you start telling people, the advice from other parents (and non-parents, too) will come pouring in. So get ready for the onslaught of information coming your way, and consider arming yourself with one of the many expectant parent books out there.