Most women often do not even realize that they are pregnant during the initial four weeks of their pregnancy. In fact, many mothers come to know about their pregnancy only when they skip their menstrual cycle at the end of week four. Although the first trimester of pregnancy is quite tricky and usually demands most of your care, there are several aspects that as an expectant mother you need to take care of. Whether it’s to ensure complete avoidance of unbalanced diets, learning to stay hydrated, or quitting harmful habits such as smoking or drinking, mothers must keep a track on their everyday movements for a healthy pregnancy.
Since the body adjusts to tremendous changes during the early pregnancy stages, women should ascertain they are not doing anything that might cause harm to the fetus. Thus to help you there, we have listed below the most crucial and significant precautions that you must take during early pregnancy.
Precautions to be taken during first week
According to American Pregnancy Association, dehydration during early stages in pregnancy can significantly augment the possibility or risk for miscarriage. The notion holds true as during the first week of fetus development, the body commences enormous changes. And as the bodily requirements aggrandize because of a new life inside, it is extremely important to ensure that you are not dehydrated. Drink plenty of water, smoothies and fresh fruit juices that won’t only keep you thoroughly hydrated for your body fluid needs, but will also provide enhanced growth. You can even eat vegetables such as cucumber as they tend to integrate high water content.
Make sure your internal system does not feel dehydrated in any case as studies have also shown the possibility and correlation between the poor water intake during pregnancy and miscarriages. By drinking sufficient water, you can certainly eliminate the risk of drying out and loss of fetus. However, ensure that the drinking water is free of bacteria and is thoroughly clean. Also, if you happen to travel during your this stage of pregnancy, bring along some bottles of water or fresh juice containers. It will not only keep you healthy as an expectant mother, but will also endow your fetus with healthy development.
Precautions to be taken during second week
As you enter the second week of pregnancy, you would be required to take a few more precautions. Since the stage is extremely delicate, new mothers must quit harmful habits such as drug usage or cigarette smoking. As a foremost precautionary measure, make sure you are nowhere consuming substances that could possibly lead to drastic, dire consequences. Many expectant mothers tend to overlook alcohol consumption during the first trimester, but this could lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. Researchers have also revealed that the fetus which develops foetal alcohol syndrome can be mentally retarded and possibly develop unusual facial features.
In fact, drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana can considerably augment the risk of miscarriage in pregnancy. Therefore, make sure you strictly avoid harmful habits and don’t indulge in smoking cigarettes. Besides increasing the chances of a premature delivery, sudden infant death syndrome and low birth weight, hazardous substances and smoking can also develop asthma in later stages of the child’s life. Quitting injurious habits will not only result in a healthier you, but will also enable your unborn baby to grow fully, healthily. For this, your family members can lend support and help you refrain from such practices.
Precautions to be taken during third week
During the third week in pregnancy, mothers should strictly avoid certain foods. Though eating healthy items is a primary, significant prerequisite of pregnancy, there are however some food types that must be avoided for a healthy pregnancy. Pregnant women should refrain from eating fish like fresh tuna, tilefish and king mackerel as they increase the chances of mercury poisoning. Consuming such fishes can harm the development of your fetus’s brain.
At the same time, stay away from eating salad dressings, raw eggs, processed meats and unpasteurized cheese as a precautionary measure. This is because these food items comprise of bacteria that may induce listeriosis, salmonella and toxoplasmosis which can further result into miscarriage or certain birth defects. During the first trimester of pregnancy, women should stringently stop caffeine intake. Experts believe that anything above 150 mg a day can indeed increase the risk of miscarriages during the pregnancy. Hence, steer clear of coffee and also of colas, green and black tea, and sodas.
Even if you happen to travel and suffer from caffeine withdrawal, try to placate this urge with fresh juice or a glass of water. This will not only keep you and your fetus healthy, but will also eliminate the risk of miscarriages.
Precautions to be taken during fourth week
During your first trimester and fourth week of pregnancy to be precise, women should limit their contact with animals and avoid uncooked meat. The former, however, must be refrained from as a harmful parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii can cause long term damage to your unborn baby by adversely affecting its brain development. Apart from this, the parasite can also induce premature delivery, serious eye defects and weakened growth.
Thus, trim down the possibility of toxoplasmosis by limiting contacts with animals, washing raw fruits and vegetables, and avoiding raw meat. The fourth week would also require expectant females to stay away from strong smells in order to minimize their nausea and morning sickness. That’s why pregnant women should not smell something very strong but track their bodily changes on a regular basis. They can either stay in spacious rooms with normal temperature or prefer wide open places to rest. This won’t only make pregnant women feel fresh and relaxed, but also trim down suffocation and feelings of unease at the same time.
Always remember
The aforementioned precautionary measures must be implemented by every expectant mother for avoiding an unhealthy pregnancy. Though the stated steps are extremely crucial to incorporate during the first trimester, it is equally significant to have weekly checkups done by the doctors. Apart from following these precautions, women should also ensure to get regular medical checkups as their delivery date approaches. Doing so won’t only help mothers identify with what’s happening inside their fetus, but will also allow them to change or bring the necessary changes.