What Precautions Should Be Taken In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy?

What precautions should be taken during the first three months of pregnancy? This is the biggest question for every woman who is expecting or planning to start a family. The first three months of pregnancy is crucial for every woman. There are chances of miscarriages, abortions, and many other complications. One must have heard several suggestions from your grandmother's about what to eat and what not to eat? Some such instances are: avoid papaya, do not wear heels, avoid tight clothes, stop eating things made up of jaggery and many others. Are these myths? Or have you seen it affecting somebody? To clear your doubts, here are some precautions that you must during the first three months of pregnancy.

A lot will be determined during the first trimester of pregnancy which will include:

• the progression of your pregnancy into later phases
• the health of your child.

Although this joyful ride will be the best journey of your life, you need to prepare yourself for the pregnancy. The preparations, including precautions during early pregnancy, you will control your pregnancy and avoid any complications. The precaution during pregnancy includes alcohol, drugs, and medication; it helps you improve the complete experience itself. You will be able to avoid complications so that you can spend more time looking after yourself. Pregnancy precautions can make the first-trimester stress free as it could have been very stressful otherwise. The following are the standard early pregnancy precautions for your first trimester.

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Stay Hydrated

The changes in the body during the onset of pregnancy increase the fluid requirement in the body. It may even lead to dehydration in the first trimester, which increases the risk of miscarriage. Drink plenty of water, fresh fruit juices, smoothies, and eat vegetables such as cucumber that are high on water content to stay hydrated. You need to drink more fluid during pregnancy as your blood volume needs to increase during pregnancy to better deliver oxygen and nutrients to your baby.

Quit Smoking and Alcohol

• It’s time to look after yourself and switch to a healthier lifestyle. Although you should follow a healthy lifestyle throughout your life, there is no scope for alcohol, smoking, and drug during pregnancy. Consuming alcohol during the first trimester may cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which affects the child's mental well-being and facial features.

• On the other hand, smoking significantly increases the risk of complications, including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have premature labor and babies of low birth-weight. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also higher in households where someone smokes. Make sure to be careful about passive smoking, and it can also be harmful to your child. 

Caffeine

Some experts believe that more than the 150mg intake of caffeine a day during the first trimester poses a higher risk of miscarriage. Limit your caffeine intake by avoiding drinks such as green and black tea, colas and sodas as well as chocolates that contain caffeine.

BEWARE of these foods

• Healthy eating is a primary prerequisite to pregnancy; however, certain items are best avoided. Certain fish such as tuna, king mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tilefish do contain high amounts of mercury that may harm the developing brain of your unborn child. The American Pregnancy Association says, "Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. Certain types of sushi should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury."

• The American Pregnancy Association advises that you avoid raw eggs while you’re pregnant because raw eggs are exposed to salmonella bacteria that can be deleterious to the fetus’s health. The National Health Service warns “Don’t eat mould-ripened soft cheese, such as brie, camembert, and chevre (a type of goats' cheese) and others with a similar rind. It would be best if you avoid soft blue-veined cheeses such as Danish blue or gorgonzola. These are made with a mould, and they can contain listeria, a type of bacteria that can harm your unborn baby. Although infection with listeria (listeriosis) is rare, it is important to take special precautions in pregnancy because even a mild form of the illness in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in a newborn baby.”

• Also avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses, raw eggs and foods containing raw eggs such as mousse, salad dressings, raw fish, processed meats such as sausages, and meat spreads as a precautionary measure during the first trimester. These foods need to be avoided because they can contain bacteria that may lead to disorders such as salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and listeriosis. These illnesses can cause congenital disabilities in the child, or extreme cases may also lead to miscarriage. Also, make sure that you stay away from uncooked meat and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them.

Eat-Sleep-Exercise-Repeat

You need to look after yourself even more carefully during the first trimester. Ensure that you regularly perform some gentle exercises that can help prevent back pain, boost your energy and build stamina. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can leave you feeling worn out. So make sure that you get naps as and when needed. Also, make sure that you get ample uninterrupted sleep every night. Since your baby needs to be continuously fed, eat light and frequent meals every two to three hours. Don’t rely on your favourite foods or dishes; instead, get the required calories from all food groups. Include healthy amounts of whole grains, milk, meat, poultry, eggs, fish, pulses, legumes and nuts in your diet.

Limit contact with animals

If you have got a pet at home, you should also limit contact with the animal. Your pet may carry toxoplasma gondii, a harmful parasite that can cause long-term damage to the baby by attacking her brain. It may also cause severe eye defects and low growth in the baby. Animal dander may also cause trigger allergic reactions. To avoid such problems limit your contact with animals.

Also Read: Understand All About Fibroid During Pregnancy and Its Possible Treatment

Herbs and Medicines

Some herbs such as saw palmetto, passionflower, pennyroyal, and black cohosh have been linked to a high risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, and intense uterine contractions. You should ask your gynaecologist about all medicines available over-the-counter that you should avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy. By taking the necessary precautions in the first trimester of pregnancy, you can save yourself from many pregnancy complications that often lead to dire consequences in the early months of pregnancy. Also, monitor your condition vigilantly, i.e. under the supervision of your health care provider.

Say No to Strong Fragrances

Several women experience an increased sense of smell during the first trimester of their pregnancy, which can often cause morning sickness and nausea symptoms. If you experience such symptoms after smelling something, make sure you avoid such triggers. Stay away from strong smells to keep the signs of an increased sense of smell at bay.

Prenatal Vitamins

Always take your prenatal vitamins on time as prescribed by the doctor. The first trimester is a crucial time for you and your baby. Make sure you get all the required vitamins and minerals. A pregnant woman must have at least 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Folic acid is essential because it prevents congenital disabilities, such as neural tube defects in the unborn baby. Never miss the iron and folic acid supplements.

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