First Trimester

By lorvent on August 23rd, 2011

The first prenatal visit:
The first prenatal visit is the most thorough. A complete medical history is taken, a physical examination is conducted, as well as certain tests and procedures are performed to assess the initial health of the mother and the embryo. The first prenatal visit may include the following:
• personal medical history – this may include previous and current medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), anemia, and/or allergies; current medications, such as prescription and over-the-counter; or previous surgeries
• maternal and paternal family medical history – including illnesses such as diabetes or mental retardation, and genetic disorders such as sickle-cell disease or Tay-Sachs disease
• personal gynecological and obstetrical history – including past pregnancies – stillbirths, miscarriage, deliveries, terminations – and menstrual history (i.e., length and duration of menstrual periods)
• education – including a discussion regarding the importance of proper nutrition, regular exercise, the avoidance of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco during pregnancy, and a discussion of any concerns about domestic violence
• pelvic examination – this type of examination may be performed for reasons includingto note the size and position of the uterus; to determine the age of the fetus; to check the pelvic bone size and structure; or to perform a Pap test (also called Pap smear) to detect the presence of abnormal cells.
• laboratory tests – this includes urine tests (to screen for bacteria, sugar, and protein) and blood tests (to determine blood type)
All pregnant women are tested for the Rh factor during the early weeks of pregnancy. A mother and fetus may have incompatible blood types, the most common is Rh incompatibility. Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother’s blood is Rh-negative and the father’s blood is Rh-positive and the fetus’ blood is Rh-positive. The mother may produce antibodies against the Rh-positive fetus which may lead to anemia in the fetus. Incompatibility problems are monitored and appropriate medical treatment is available to prevent the formation of Rh antibodies during pregnancy.
• blood screening tests – to detect diseases (i.e., rubella, also called German measles)
• genetic tests – to detect inherited diseases (i.e., sickle-cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease)
• screening tests – to detect infectious diseases (i.e., sexually transmitted diseases)
The first prenatal visit is also an opportunity to ask any questions or discuss any concerns that you may have about your pregnancy.
What to expect during the first trimester:
A healthy first trimester is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. The mother-to-be may not be showing much on the outside, but inside her body all the major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming.
As the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, several developments take place, including:
• amniotic sac

A sac filled with amniotic fluid, called the amniotic sac, surrounds the fetus throughout the pregnancy. The amniotic fluid is liquid made by the fetus and the amnion (the membrane that covers the fetal side of the placenta) that protects the fetus from injury and helps regulate the temperature of the fetus.
• placenta

The placenta is an organ shaped like a flat cake that only grows during pregnancy. It attaches to the uterine wall with tiny projections called villi. Fetal blood vessels grow from the umbilical cord into these villi, exchanging nourishment and waste products with the mother’s blood. The fetal blood vessels are separated from the mother’s blood supply by a thin membrane.
• umbilical cord
umblical cord
The umbilical cord is a rope-like cord connecting the fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and a vein, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus.
It is during this first trimester that the fetus is most susceptible to damage from substances such as alcohol, drugs, certain medications, and illnesses such as rubella (German measles).
During the first trimester, both the mother’s body and the fetus are changing rapidly.

Fetal development during the first trimester:

The most dramatic changes and development occur during the first trimester. During the first eight weeks, a fetus is called an embryo. The embryo develops rapidly and by the end of the first trimester it becomes a fetus that is fully formed, weighing approximately 1/2 to one ounce and measuring, on average, three to four inches in length.
First trimester growth and development benchmarks:
Just as each child grows and matures at different rates and at different times, so does that same child as it begins its life in the womb. The chart provided below provides benchmarks for most normal pregnancies. However, each fetus develops differently.
Weeks 1 and 2: Getting ready

It may seem strange, but you’re not actually pregnant the first week or two of the time allotted to your pregnancy. Yes, you read that correctly!
Conception typically occurs about two weeks after your period begins. To calculate your due date, your health care provider will count ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last period. This means your period is counted as part of your pregnancy — even though you weren’t pregnant at the time.
Week 3: Fertilization

The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized, you may have multiple zygotes.
The zygote has 46 chromosomes — 23 from you and 23 from your partner. These chromosomes will help determine your baby’s sex, traits such as eye and hair color, and, to some extent, personality and intelligence.
Soon after fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. At the same time, it will begin dividing rapidly to form a cluster of cells resembling a tiny raspberry. The inner group of cells will become the embryo. The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it.
Week 4: Implantation
week 4
When the zygote — now known as a blastocyst — reaches your uterus, it will burrow into the uterine wall for nourishment. The placenta, which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy, also begins to form.
By the end of this week, you may be celebrating a positive pregnancy test.
Week 5: The embryonic period begins

The fifth week of pregnancy, or the third week after conception, marks the beginning of the embryonic period. This is when the baby’s brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs begin to form.
The embryo is now made of three layers. The top layer — the ectoderm — will give rise to your baby’s outermost layer of skin, central and peripheral nervous systems, eyes, inner ear, and many connective tissues.
Your baby’s heart and a primitive circulatory system will form in the middle layer of cells — the mesoderm. This layer of cells will also serve as the foundation for your baby’s bones, muscles, kidneys and much of the reproductive system.
The inner layer of cells — the endoderm — will become a simple tube lined with mucous membranes. Your baby’s lungs, intestines and bladder will develop here.
By the end of this week, your baby is likely between 1/16 and 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3 millimeters) long — about the size of the tip of a pen.
Week 6: The neural tube closes

Growth is rapid this week. Just four weeks after conception, the neural tube along your baby’s back is closing and your baby’s heart is pumping blood.
Basic facial features will begin to appear, including passageways that will make up the inner ear and arches that will contribute to the jaw. Your baby’s body begins to take on a c-shaped curvature. Small buds will soon become arms and legs.
By the end of this week, your baby may be 1/6 to 1/4 inch (4 to 6 millimeters) long.
Week 7: Baby’s head develops

Seven weeks into your pregnancy, or five weeks after conception, your baby’s brain and face are rapidly developing. Tiny nostrils become visible, and the eye lenses begin to form. The arm buds that sprouted last week now take on the shape of paddles.
By the end of this week your baby may be 1/4 to 1/3 inch (7 to 9 millimeters) long — a little bigger than the top of a pencil eraser.
Week 8: Movement begins
8 week
Eight weeks into your pregnancy, or six weeks after conception, your baby’s arms and legs are growing longer, and fingers have begun to form. The shell-shaped parts of your baby’s ears also are forming, and your baby’s eyes and nipples are visible. The upper lip and nose have formed. The trunk of your baby’s body is beginning to straighten.
Your baby may begin to move this week, but you won’t be able to feel it yet.
By the end of this week, your baby may be about 1/2 inch (11 to 14 millimeters) long.
Week 9: Baby’s toes form

In the ninth week of pregnancy, or seven weeks after conception, your baby’s arms grow, develop bones and bend at the elbows. Toes begin to form, and your baby’s eyelids and ears continue developing.
By the end of this week, your baby may be close to 3/4 inch (18 to 22 millimeters) long.
Week 10: Baby’s neck begins to develop

By the 10th week of pregnancy, or eight weeks after conception, your baby’s head has become more round. The neck begins to develop, and your baby’s eyelids begin to close to protect his or her developing eyes.
Although the genitals are developing, it’s still too soon to identify your baby’s sex.
Week 11: Baby’s genitals develop

At the beginning of the 11th week of pregnancy, or the ninth week after conception, your baby’s head still makes up about half of its length. But your baby’s body is about to catch up, growing rapidly in the coming weeks.
Your baby is now officially described as a fetus. This week your baby’s eyes are widely separated, the eyelids fused and the ears low set. Red blood cells are beginning to form in your baby’s liver. By the end of this week, your baby’s external genitalia will start developing into a penis or clitoris and labia majora.
By now your baby may measure about 2 inches (50 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh almost 1/3 ounce (8 grams).
Week 12: Baby’s fingernails develop
week 12
Twelve weeks into your pregnancy, or 10 weeks after conception, your baby is developing fingernails. Your baby’s face now has a human profile.
By now your baby may be nearly 2 1/2 inches (61 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh about 1/2 ounce (14 grams).
The fetus is most vulnerable during the first 12 weeks. During this period of time, all of the major organs and body systems are forming and can be damaged if the fetus is exposed to drugs, German measles, radiation, tobacco, and chemical and toxic substances.
Even though the organs and body systems are fully formed by the end of 12 weeks, the fetus cannot survive independently.
Changes in the mother’s body:
changes in mother body
During pregnancy, many changes are also occurring in the mother-to-be’s body. Women experience these changes differently. Some symptoms of pregnancy continue for several weeks or months, while others are only experienced for a short period of time. Some women experience many symptoms, while other women experience only a few or none at all. The following is a list of changes and symptoms that may occur during the first trimester:
What are Kegel exercises?
kegle excersice
Kegel exercises are pelvic floor exercises that help tone the muscles in the vagina and perineum, which is important for delivery. Conditioned muscles will make the birthing process easier. In addition, these exercises, when done after delivery, can help to speed up the recovery process. Doing a Kegel exercise is simple.
First, tighten the muscles around your vagina and anus. (The exercise is similar to stopping urination midstream.)
Hold the muscles tightened as long as you can, working up to 8 to 10 seconds each time.
Relax the muscles.
Finally, tighten and relax the muscles several times a day.
• The mammary glands enlarge causing the breasts to swell and become tender in preparation for breastfeeding. This is due to an increased amount of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A supportive bra should be worn.
• A woman’s areolas (the pigmented areas around each breast’s nipple) will enlarge, darken, and may become covered with small, white bumps called Montgomery’s tubercles (enlarged sweat glands).
• Veins become more prominent on the surface of the breasts.
• The uterus is growing and begins to press on the woman’s bladder, causing the need for her to urinate more frequently.
• Partly due to surges in hormones, a pregnant woman may experience mood swings similar to premenstrual syndrome (a condition experienced by some women that is characterized by mood swings, irritability, and other physical symptoms that occur shortly before each menstrual period).
• Increased levels of hormones to sustain the pregnancy may cause “morning sickness,” which is feelings of nausea and sometimes vomiting. However, morning sickness does not necessarily occur just in the morning and rarely interferes with proper maternal and fetal nutrition.
• Constipation may occur as the growing uterus presses on the rectum and intestines.
• The muscular contractions in the intestines, which help to move food through the digestive tract, are slowed due to high levels of progesterone. This may, in turn, cause heartburn, indigestion, constipation, and gas.
• Clothes may feel tighter around the breasts and waist, as the size of the abdomen begins to increase to accommodate the growing fetus.
• A woman may experience fatigue due to the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy.
• Cardiac volume increases by approximately 40 to 50 percent from the beginning to the end of the pregnancy, causing an increased cardiac output. An increased cardiac output may cause an increased pulse rate during pregnancy. The increase in blood volume is needed for extra blood flow to the uterus.
Pregnancy Diet – Planning for Your First Trimester
pregnancy diet,,
During the first trimester of your pregnancy, your baby will develop almost completely. The major developments that take place after the first trimester include lung development, brain development, and overall growth. So it’s crucial that you eat a healthy diet from the very beginning and, ideally, before you even conceive.
Unfortunately, the first trimester of pregnancy is also when most women experience morning sickness, which can make it difficult to eat a healthy diet. When you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting, choose small, light meals at frequent intervals. Each woman responds to food differently – most women can tolerate light and relatively bland foods, like yogurt, cereal and fruit. Fruit smoothies are a popular choice with women suffering from morning sickness. Other women find that spicy foods actually help them feel better. Listen to your own body to determine what’s right for you.
If nausea is a problem first thing in the morning, try keeping some nonperishable food by your bedside, such as saltine crackers or ginger cookies, and having some before you get out of bed. There are also a number of home remedies for morning sickness you can try, including ginger ale and lemon drops.
In addition, it’s important to stay hydrated at all times, but especially if you’re losing fluids by vomiting. Make sure to drink several glasses of water each day and if you’re having trouble keeping down fluids, talk to your health care provider. Dehydration can be dangerous for you and your baby, so your doctor may prescribe medication to help control nausea and vomiting and give you supplemental fluids to help you combat symptoms.
Even before you conceive, you should be eating as healthy a diet as possible. Eliminate junk food, processed foods, trans fats and excess sugar from your diet, and focus instead on eating lean protein, fruits and vegetable, whole grains, dairy and healthy fats. These foods will also form the basis of your diet once you are pregnant, so it’s a good habit to get into. Avoid foods that are specifically known to be hazardous to pregnant woman, including sushi or foods containing raw eggs.
It’s also a good idea to begin taking a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement several months before you plan to conceive and to keep taking it throughout your first trimester. One of the nutrients that’s especially important in the first trimester is the B vitamin folic acid. This vitamin has been proven to prevent neural tube defects, a defect that occurs when the tissues around your baby’s spinal column don’t form properly. There are few natural sources of folic acid in food, and we actually have trouble absorbing them. Many grain products are enriched with folic acid, but your best bet is to take a prenatal supplement with adequate amounts of folic acid in it. Having a well-nourished body before you conceive will also help you through those weeks when may have morning sickness and have trouble eating.
It’s also a good idea to schedule an appointment with your health care provider before you conceive. Your health care provider can help you develop a plan for a healthy diet, address any special nutritional concerns you may have and help you prepare for a healthy pregnancy in other ways, such as receiving any immunizations or tests you require. Your health care provider can also provide you with a prescription for a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement or you can purchase an over-the-counter brand that meets your needs.