WEEKS 5 – 8
Your
periods / menses have not arrived on their expected
date. Are you Pregnant? Should you go to a doctor?
Can you confirm your self? Well if you are wondering
on similar lines, then go on and browse a bit
more to find out.
Yes,
if you have missed your period and have been trying
to conceive its time for you to confirm you’re
suspicious and congratulate your self.
Your
journey towards child-birth has just started,
but you may already show signs and symptoms of
pregnancy.
Common Symptoms
/ Complaints
- Which
means that you have terrible nausea or you feel
like vomiting but actual vomiting may or may
not be there.Alas! As the name suggests, the
affliction does not necessarily prevail during
the “morning” hours. You may feel ill at other
times or even throughout the day. This
ill feeling, lethargy, nausea and vomiting will
make you run away from food and drinks (If you
are one of the lucky ones you may escape having
it completely)
- But
there are always some things you can do to reduce
it like:
- Have
a bland diet and oil-free diet.
- Eat
frequent small meals instead of two square
ones
- Drink
plenty of water
- Eat
a dry cracker or toasts before you brush your
teeth or do anything after waking up in the
morning. Your partner can fix you this bed breakfast.
- Yogurt/
Curds may be helpful.
- Eat
foods containing proteins and carbohydrates.
- Antacids
and anti vomiting drugs on prescription of your
doctor may help
- Do
not lie down immediately after meals.
- Keep
your head elevated while sleeping.
- Accupressure
and Seabands may prove helpful,
- And
lastly, EAT SLOWLY AND EAT BEFORE NAUSEA STRIKES.
-
Breast discomfort and
changes
You
may feel a tightening in your breast. Your breast
may begin to grow and nipples begin to darken
This is to prepare you for after delivery so be
comforted.
Some
of you may get spotting for 1 – 2 days during
expected time of periods, nothing to worry about.
Changes
in taste and aversions to certain foods.
-
Cravings
Increased
frequency of urination due to the enlarging uterus
pressing on your urinary bladder.
One
of the most common complaints. It can be tackled
by adequate sleep, diet and rest. Take a break
from work after every 2 – 3 hours. And of course,
this is your time and your show. So if someone
is pampering you Be Pampered!
-
Foetus
or Your Baby inside
Your
baby is growing fast. From a single microscopic
cell, it grows up to the size of a thumbnail by
the 6th week. The heart starts beating
around this time and can be seen doing so on an
ultrasound.
PICTURE
OF EMBRYO

Body
changes are not so obvious at this stage. Your
uterus though enlarging, can be made out to be
SEEN only by
an internal examination. ( P.V. – per vaginum
)
Emotional
changes are much more obvious. You may become
irritable and have mood swings like during pre
menstrual time (Pre menstrual syndrome)
This
is the time for the spouse to provide emotional
support. You
may have misgivings and fear or joy and elation.
Regarding your pregnancy. You can come to us to
clear the former and share the latter with us.
- DIAGRAM
OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYS.
This
is the right time for the first visit to your
doctor after your conception. During this visit
you can:
- Confirm
your pregnancy
- Have
a detailed discussion regarding your pregnancy
and doubts with your doctor.
- Your
doctor may examine you thoroughly (including
an internal examination.)
- You
baseline weight, height, BP, may be recorded
in the consulting room.
- He
may carry out a urine test to confirm your pregnancy.
- You
may be advised to get few baseline blood and
urine tests
- Usually
in a non-complicated pregnancy no medications
except Folic acid is required during this period.
- Last
but not the least, he may advice you regarding
various dos and don’ts of pregnancy which have
to be carefully followed.
Report
immediately to your doctor in case of:
- Excessive
vomiting and acidity.
- Bleeding
through the vagina:
.
- Abdominal
pain and burning micturation.
- Blackouts.
- Coughing
of blood.
- Any
other medical illness.
- And
in case of any doubts what so ever.
Here
are few important instructions to be followed
by you during this period:
-
Diet

-
Clothes
Since there are hardly any noticeable
changes in your body, your old clothes /dresses
still fit you. But it is always better to wear
loose and comfortable dresses/clothes. Footwear
should be flat and comfortable. High heels are
not only dangerous but may also increase your
backache.
-
Exercise
No new exercise or strenuous exercises should
be done. Walking, swimming, yoga are some of
the best exercises. Prescribed

-
Work and Travel
You can work if your job does not involve heavy
physical work. Travelling by road especially
the ones here in India is not advisable. Air
and Rail travel is best. This may not always
seem feasible but you must atleast try avoiding
the jerks during travel as much as possible.
Long distance travelling and vacations should
be preferably avoided in the 1st
trimester.
-
Sex
Sexual
intercourse though not contraindicated, is bestavoided
during the first three months of pregnancy,
especially by women who have had bleeding during
pregnancy and previous abortions or pregnancy
losses. Caressing, fondling can be done
for sexual gratification without any worry.You
may find your sex drive makedly decreased during
this period andsome
may even develop an aversion to it. May be its
nature’s way of safeguarding the pregnancy.
Your spouse will have to bear this in mind and
be extra understanding
-
Medication
No medication should be started
unless your doctor has been communicated and
informed regarding your pregnant state.
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